|EDUCATION| Oron Youth Movement, OYM, a civil liberty organisation in Akwa Ibom State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to direct the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, to commence the process for the immediate take-off of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, by ensuring that the provisions of the Establishment Act 2022, are fully implemented.

It also appealed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to intervene to quicken the process of the take-off of the university.

This was contained in a statement by its National President, Edet Eyo, National Vice President, Victor Onomo and National Secretary, Edet Iyahakwa, and made available to journalists in Uyo on Saturday, January 25, 2025.

The group highlighted the need for the implementation of the Act, to bring to an end the appointments into the legally non-existent Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.

The statement partly reads, “On behalf of the people of Oron Nation and indeed Akwa Ibom people, we in OYOM hereby passionately appeal to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that in the interest of justice and the rule of law, to please direct the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to take immediate actions to ensure that the provisions of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, (Establishment) Act 2022, are accordingly implemented.

“This should bring to an end the rigmarole tactics of appointments into the legally non-existent MAN, tending to delay the immediate commencement of the university.

“We also appeal to the President of the Senate, Senator Dr Godswill Obot Akpabio who as Akwa State Governor in 2010 committed the resources of Akwa Ibom State to acquire additional acres of land and upgrade Infrastructures in the defunct MAN, Oron to meet the requirements of NUC, to intervene to ensure the speedy take-off of the University of Maritime Studies Oron.

“Specifically, we appeal that Mr President should speedily appoint a Vice-Chancellor and constitute a proper Governing Council for the speedy and effective take-off of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron ( UMSO), having been established by a legally binding University of Maritime Studies Oron (Establishment) Act. 2022 of the Nigerian National Assembly.”

The group faulted the appointment of the Acting Rector of the defunct Academy, whose appointment it noted negates the provisions of the 2022 Act, and advised the Acting Rector, Dr Kelvin Okonna, not to further embark on actions that could jeopardise the implementation of the Act.

The group also expressed concern about the admission of new students to the defunct Academy, expressing fears that their certificates could be rendered invalid.
|PUNCH|