THURSDAY March 13, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
The Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has assured Niger Delta youths that the 10th Senate would speed up the implementation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron Establishment Act 2022, ThePUNCH reports.
Senator Akpabio gave the assurance during a meeting with the leadership of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum, led by the President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide and chairman of the forum Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement obtained from the Press Unit of the Oron Youths Movement in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday.
The Senate President promised to facilitate a meeting with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola to speed up the process for the implementation of the UMSO Establishment Act.
He said, “I want to assure you that the Senate will ensure speedy implementation of the UMSO Establishment Act 2022. To this end, I will have an urgent meeting with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to ensure speedy implementation of the UMSO Establishment Act 2022.”
He commended the leadership of the various youth groups in the Niger Delta region for choosing dialogue instead of confrontation to resolve issues affecting their various communities.
Earlier, Lokpobiri, while stating the mission of the visit, solicited the Senate President’s intervention in the Rivers State political crisis and highlighted other critical issues affecting the Niger Delta region, including the delay in the implementation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron.
He said that the delay has hindered the smooth transition of the institution from the defunct maritime academy to a university, a development which he noted had necessitated the appointment of a rector and other appointments into the defunct institution.
He said, “The delay in the implementation of the Establishment Act, 2022 has hindered the university’s transition from the defunct Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, due to the absence of key leadership positions.”
He therefore urged the Senate President to expedite action in the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor and the constitution of a proper Governing Council to enable the Maritime University to commence its academic activities effectively and provide quality maritime education and training.
He also discussed the issue of the establishment of Ibaka Deep Seaport, highlighting the significant economic importance of the project to the Niger Delta region and the Nigerian state in general.
The chairman also emphasized the need for speedy mobilization and commencement of work on the coastal road in the Niger Delta section, pledging continued solidarity with the Senate President.
He warned those plotting against the office of the Senate President to retract their steps, emphasising that the people of the Niger Delta have waited for over 40 years for the position of the Senate President in the National Assembly, adding that the region must complete its eight-year tenure.
He stated that as youth leaders, they recognize the importance of collaboration and dialogue in driving positive change, adding, “We look forward to continuing our engagement with the Senate President and other stakeholders to ensure the development and prosperity of the Niger Delta Region.”
