ADMIRALTY UNIVERSITY, IBUSA: NUC TEAM VISITS IBUSA

The basic need to seek initiative and prayers from the Obuzor and the entire people of Ibusa informed the visit, on Thursday 23rd February of the team of the National University Commission (NUC), the Nigerian Navy and members of the Special Project Committee on Private Universities to the palace of the Obuzor of Ibusa. The visit, which was the second after their earlier visit in June, 2016 was primarily to ascertain the readiness of the structures on ground for the proposed Maritime University. Further bureaucracy irked the people of Okeronkoko in Delta South on whose soil; the earlier Maritime University was to be situated. The entire scenario however gave rise to further deliberations and negotiations as to whether the two universities will operate side by side on mini campuses agreement. But a visit by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Warri, Delta State in January put paid further speculations and wrangling as it was obvious that the Maritime University, Okeronkoko in Ijawland has come to be.

It is on record that the beautifully and well-structured edifice which sat at a strategic position within the precipice of a satellite town, Aboh-Ogwashi along Ogwashi-Uku-Ibusa road was originally designed during the groundbreaking in 2013 to be Nigerian Navy Secondary School (NNSS), Ibusa. But when a team from Abuja visited the site on completion with a view to setting logistics for the commissioning, they were awestruck on the magnificence of the state-of-the-art educational facilities there. There and then, their mindsets changed as they agreed and posited that such structures were bigger for secondary school use, hence their first visit to the community to inform them on their change of mind.

Meanwhile, the facilitator of the project and former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba who attracted the project for his people of Ibusa did not go to sleep. He swung into action and sought a joint partnership with the government of Cyprus.

Speaking during his welcome at the palace of the Obuzor of Ibusa, the leader of the team, Vice Admiral BA Egbedina who also represented the Chief of Naval Staff asserted that the aim of this project revolves around capacity building, while the developmental agenda of the community and the West African sub-region is not completely ruled out of it. He affirmed that the entire idea is in sync with the motto of the Nigerian Navy which is “Onward Together”. He thanked the Obuzor and the people of Ibusa for the warm reception and presentations.

He introduced his entourage as Prof. Essien, the chairman of the Special Project Committee on Private Universities. Mr. Costas Garibaldinos representing the Cyprus consortium and the Director of Naval Education. Other members of the entourage were Lt. Comm. Wada, Commondore Maliki, Wale Adegoke – the master planner, members of the admiralty commission – Lt. Comm. Suleiman and Lt. Comm. James Adedeji, secretary of the commission – Barr. Pascal Eruaga and the townplanner – Rashid Mustapha.

Prof. Essien took the podium to pour encomium on the initiator of the project and the need for more universities in the country. He averred that the 152 private and public universities in Nigeria are not enough owing to the poor state of education in the country. As a result, he advocated for more to be set up. He informed the teeming audience that the application for the new agenda was received in 2015. This spurred their first visit and eventually this second time. He told the community that the government is aware of the project and is giving their full support, while thanking them for their cooperation. He said they were happy after inspecting the facilities on ground. To this end, they have given their approval prior to the full take off.

A palace chief, Sir. Victor Uchunor read the Obuzor’s address which threw light on the geographical base of Ibusa as a town and the genealogy and historical facts attached to her people.

Corroborating, the Obuzor of Ibusa, HRM. Prof. LC Nwaoboshi thanked the Nigerian Navy for their determination in ensuring that the institution becomes a reality, while officially breaking the kolanut. He took time to elucidate the symbolism of three lobes kolanut which signifies stability. He further prayed that stability has come to the town. Earlier during acceptance of the bowl of kolanut presentation, Vice Admiral Egbedina had equally presented gifts from the Chief of Naval Staff to the Obuzor of Ibusa as a sign of reciprocity.

Dignitaries from Ibusa community, representatives of the government, palace chiefs and members of Concerned Ibusa Citizens (CIC) – a pan social group in Ibusa were dully represented.

The council chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Hon. Louis Ndukwe thanked the delegation for the visit as he gave the vote of thanks.