By Sylvester Imonina
In the year 2023, the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale, Delta State, was given birth to. The signing into an Act, the Bill establishing the University by former President Muhammadu Buhari was seen by many as a vista for the economic, social and educational growth of Ndokwa Nation in particular, and Delta State in general.
Unfortunately, those who were in corridors of power to put machinery in motion for the takeoff of the University did not do so. They were rather preoccupied with the politics of who gets what and what they stand to benefit personally.
It is an indisputable fact that the Federal Government had not taken steps to have the University formally opened. That is, no tilling of the soil by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or his official Representative(s) to date. Strangely, the former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate; Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege purportedly arrogated to himself the authority that does not belong to him to go and formally till the soil of the University yesterday, 14th of February, 2025!
Conventionally, in an occasion of that nature, the President acts through the Minister of Education, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education or anyone saddled with such responsibility by Mr President, not someone who is not holding an office in the public service of Nigeria!
My worry is predicated on a saying by the Isokos, “osa tho kako ozue luewo” (heralding of aimlessness/misfiring of a gun by a hunter in the bush) which has been foisted upon Ndokwa Nation by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege unbridled political quest. To drive home my point, an occasion of this nature ought to be an avenue for political camaraderie amongst APC political office holders/elected Representatives. The absence of the Honourable Minister of Aviation, three APC Senators from Delta State and Federal appointees of APC speaks volumes!
The beautiful idea of Ndokwa Nation having a healthy Federal University in her domain is thinning out because of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege who is seen as a political owl/jonah by the powers that be. In other words, the University is most likely to be starved of the Federal Government’s attention because of the vaulting and Macbeth ambition of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege! E dey pain me for Ndokwa people!
Well, all hope is not lost. I honestly believe the way forward for the survival of the University is for sons and daughters of Ndokwa Nation and well-meaning Deltans to lead a powerful delegation to the Presidency to dissociate themselves from the caricatured and charlatanic tilling of the soil of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale, by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege who lack the locus standi to carry out that exercise.
Deltans need development, but one man’s ambition should not be allowed to stagnate it. The interest of Ndokwa Nation/Delta State should be protected by all.
– Imonina, a public affairs commentator, writes from Ozoro Kingdom, Delta State.
