The Governo, Dr Alex Otti has directed the commissioner for Lands and Housing and the Attorney general and commissioner for Justice to retrieve and return to Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, all lands belonging to it just as he has returned that of Government College Umuahia.
Governor Otti who stated this while receiving in audience a delegation of the newly inaugurated Governing Council of MOUAU who were on a familiarization visit to him said that government is committed to retrieving all public lands that were taken over by private individuals in the past.
The Governor pledged to give the newly inaugurated Governing Council of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, the needed support to succeed in their new assignment and commended the federal government for the reconstitution of the council with a renowned Agriculturalist, Comrade Fidelis Edeh as Chairman and other members who are men and women of integrity committed to set goals.
“For us we don’t see any federal institution as federal as such. For us Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike is our university on our soil and if there are benefits it is us that would enjoy it first”, Otti pointed out.
He made it clear that government will equip the younger generation with the requisite skills and knowledge to compete favourably with their contemporaries around the globe, declaring that Abians under his watch will have the opportunity of getting quality education, irrespective of family background and financial status.
“For us education is so critical and I say that because without education I probably won’t be sitting here today”
“So, my promise to Abia people is that every child would have the opportunity, whether they have the money or not, whether they come from rich background or not, every child would have the opportunity to go to the kind of schools we went to”, the Governor restated.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and Pro-Chancellor Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Comrade Fidelis Edeh said that the visit was to present themselves to the Governor and assured that the Governing Council and management of the University will ensure that the vision of the institution is achieved.
Comrade Edeh appreciated Governor Otti for putting in place processes for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy of the School land to the University.
Also speaking, a member of the Governing Council and DG South East Governors forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife while describing Governor Otti as the new face of democracy, noted that the South East Governors are united and intentional in developing the South East Region, Senator Ekwunife and called for a uniform legislation for the 5 South East states as to achieving regional integration.
