Nigeria Maritime University Matriculates First Sets Of Students
WARRI/Nigeria: The Acting Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has enjoined the matriculating students of Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area to be Studious in their academic pursuit, to make their parents proud.
Deacon Otuaro in his address at the 1st matriculation ceremony of the NMU said “I want to enjoin you to take your studies very serious to have value for yourselves, the Nigerian Society and to your parents. You can only add value to humanity when you are trained. It is our prayers that you eschew all forms of distraction.”
While congratulating the students on the occasion of their matriculation, he also expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. (Mrs) Maureen Etebu, the staff of the institution for their wonder feat in taking off of the first Maritime University in the country.
He explained that the effort of all those who contributed to the establishment of the University would not be forgotten in a hurry as they are much appreciated for its take off and growth, saying, “I want to establish the fact that the establishment of the University is a dream come true, It is a symbol of the collective responsibility of all the people. We are very happy that our agitation has come to fruition, I thank those that made it possible that this University has come to stay.”
He told the Matriculants that he believed that there are great potentials inherent in them, just as he advised them that as they are being trained by best hands, the best is also expected from them by the society as they are learning to have a better behaviour in mind and character.
The Deputy Governor revealed that Delta State Government had set up a high powered committee to revisit the issue of the Dockyard currently in Lagos and to speed up discussion on that, assuring that though NMU is a Federal University established in Delta State, the State would support it within the available resources.
Earlier, in her address, the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. (Mrs) Maureen, congratulated the matriculating students and said, “Just like the Biblical Joshua and Caleb, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, came to spy out Kurutie, the take off campus of NMU to ascertain its readiness for academic activities and they reported to His Excellency the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, that the land is fertile, the campus is small, beautiful and environmental friendly.”
She added that the Vice President, who was the Acting President, visited the school himself and made pronouncement that the university would commence academic activities in October 2017 and therefore decided that NMU is done deal.
The Vice Chancellor added that despite the fact that the NMU is a Federal institution, the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa swung into action by setting up a high powered committee and released the sum of N100, 000, 000 as a take-off grant to the school and later donated two 5000kVA electricity generators.
She explained further, the establishment of the Institution would train the 1st set of matriculating cadets from 24 states of the federation while the second set consist of students from 28 states in the Federation.
She revealed that the Institution has three faculties which consist 13 undergraduate programmes that were exclusive of the Basic studies unit, and appealed to Federal government to expeditiously come to their aid by recommending the project works at the permanent site at Okerenkoko and install Gas generator for electricity supply which she said would go a long way in maintaining continuity and steady growth of NMU.
Meanwhile, the federal government has assured the University, of her total commitment to the infrastructural development of the fast growing Federal University in Delta State.
