By
Joseph Atainyang
At
the seeming calm of nerves by leaders and patriots of the Host Community of
Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, over the recently constituted Interim
Management Committee and the appointment of a new Rector by the Hon. Minister
of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for the restructuring of the
institution, women of the area have restated their stance on its upgrade to a university
status as well as rooted for an indigenous Rector.
In
a peaceful protest staged Wednesday, the women who carried placards and leaves
stormed the institution's gate also asking the Federal Government of Nigeria to
bring back cadets on camp as the place was lying still and quiet like the
grave.
Speaking
on their behalf, Nkoyo Edung who is from Urue Offong Oruko Local Government
Area of Akwa Ibom State, noted that it was unacceptable for a school that has
existed for 40 years, struggling to meet its core mandate, to assume a
'questionable posture' at the time a bill, at the National Assembly, was soon
going to be assented for it to become a university.
She
believed the IMC was not in favour of the host community as its 'restructuring
agenda' was still a 'top secret', adding that the appointment of a new Rector
(who is from Delta State where a new Maritime University has already started)
just to be functional after six months was a 'fraud'.
"This
school has existed for 40 years. The National Assembly is working on a bill to
turn this place to a university. Why should you come and restructure it when we
expect a university in a short time from now? We don't need that committee. We
don't need that new Rector. Let our son manage that place until when we have a
university. Bring back cadets on campus", she said.
Also
speaking at the protest, Lilian Johnson from Oron Local Government reasoned
that it was only in Oro, Akwa Ibom State that everything was working against
the owners of the land.
She
said the over 40 years old MAN, Oron cannot boast of any record of an
indigenous Rector or Administrator owing to marginalisation and enslavement of
the owners of the land by the Nigerian leaders.
"Is
this not slavery? It this marginalisation difficult to see? How can this place
exist for 40 years and no Oron person is allowed to be at the helm of affairs?
Are they saying we don't have qualified Oro sons and daughters who can be in
charge of this place? We reject the Management Committee. We want a university.
Let them bring our cadets back to school", she stated.
Meanwhile,
the Regimental Unit Commander (RUC), Capt. Abbas Yakubu who addressed the women
pleaded that they remain calm and peaceful as he was going to communicate their
position to the necessary authorities.
Noting
that the protesters needed a university and that he believed was also the
intention of government to do so, Capt. Yakubu who thanked the women for being
peaceful, stressed that dialogue was very essential at getting issues resolved
and assured that they would soonest hear from the authorities concerned.
In
his remarks, the President, Akpakip Eyo-Abasi Youth Association, Comrade Ita
Baron enjoined the women to heed to the advice of the RUC, believing that
government would be sincere and responsive to the yearnings of the people.
Meanwhile
the inauguration of the IMC on September 6 which came with the directive by the
Minister that the new Rector, Cdr. Duja Effedua would only assume duties as
Rector after six months, when the Adebayo Sarumi led IMC may have completely
'restructured' the institution, has suffered resistance from various bodies and
individuals through protest actions and position papers published in national
dailies and very many online platforms.
It
could also be recalled that the Committee Chairman had also announced that the
Minister had again directed that the Rector should resume duties immediately,
against the earlier directive that he would (as a Rector in the waiting)
commence his duties after six months.
No comments: