Major stakeholders in the education sector of Delta State on Friday (19/02/2021) converged at the State Assembly Complex in Asaba, for the public hearing on three bills forwarded to it by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, for the upgrade of three higher institutions in the state to university status.
At the public hearing which was declared opened by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori was a frontline agitator for the consideration of siting one of the proposed universities in the riverine communities of the state, Comrade Chief Sheriff Mulade.
Comrade Mulade, who spoke at the public hearing in his capacity as the President of Riverine Communities Development Forum of Nigeria, commended the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for upgrading the College of Education Agbor, Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro, and the Anwai campus of Delta State University to independent universities in the interest of Delta State youths seeking admission in other states.
He appealed to the governor and the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Patrick Muoboghare, to consider siting one of the universities in the riverine communities to enable the youths there to access higher education.
Riverine dwellers, Comrade Mulade opined find it very difficult to access quality education in higher institutions because of the difficult terrain coupled with financial hardships despite their huge contributions to the state and national economies.
While noting that education is the right of every citizen and not a privilege, the human rights activist said that the lack of education in the riverine communities, especially higher institutions, has led to the branding of the riverine youths agitating for the development of their areas as militants.
He expressed the belief that establishing higher institutions in the riverine communities would drastically reduce the rate of crime because the youths would be meaningfully engaged for a win-win situation for all.
Comrade Mulade, therefore, appealed to Governor Okowa, Prof. Muoboghare and the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon Charles Emetulu, to use their good offices to ensure that the School of Marine Technology, Burutu, is upgraded to university status and also get the needed attention with adequate funding to enable it to operate optimally.
He also appealed that campus of the newly established university should be sited at any of Bomadi, Patani, Oporoza, Ogbe-Ijoh, Ogulagha, Ogidigben, Ugborodo, Ode Itsekiri and Ogbinbiri to give the people a sense of belonging in terms of educational development and advancement.
Prof. Muoboghare and Hon Emetulu noted the strong views canvassed by Comrade Mulade and promised to look into his appeal, which they said was valid and on point.
The three proposed universities are expected to commence in the 2021/2022 academic session.
