NMU Matriculates First Set Of Students, As Otuaro Urges Students to be Studious

By John Onos

The Acting Governor of Delta State, Barr. Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has enjoined the matriculating students of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbaramutu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State to be very studious in their academic pursuit, to make their parents proud.

The Acting Governor of Delta State Deacon Otuaro who presented his address at the 1st matriculation ceremony of the Institution 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 have value to humanity when you are trained. “It is our prayers that you eschew all forms of distraction.

Deacon Otuaro, while congratulating the students further on the occasion of their matriculation, also expressed his appreciation to the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Engr. Prof. Mrs. Ongoebi Maureen Orubode Etebu, the entire staff of the fast growing institution for their wonder feat in the taking off of the first ever maritime university in the country.

He explained that the effort of all these persons across the country who contributed to the establishment of the University cannot be forgotten in a hurry, as they are much appreciated for its take off and growths, adding that the establishment of the University is a dream come true.

He said: “It is a symbol of the collective responsibility of all the people. We are very happy that the agitation of all of us 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 further that as they are being trained by the best hands, the best is also expected from them by the society, since they are learning to have a better behaviour in mind and character.

He revealed that Delta State Government has set up a high powered committee to revisit the issue of the Dockyard currently in Lagos and to speed up discussion on that, assuring further that though N.M.U is a Federal University established in Delta State, they are going to support it within available resources.

Earlier, in her address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Engr. Prof. (Mrs.) Ongoebi Maureen Orubode Etebu, who also congratulated the matriculating students after admitting them into their various faculties and departments upon ascribing to the matriculation oaths, said, “Just like the biblical Joshua and Caleb, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachukwu the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Petroleum

Resources, came to spy out Kurutie, the take off campus of N.M.U to ascertain its readiness for academic activities and they reported to His Excellency the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo that the land is fertile, the campus is small, beautiful and environmental friendly.”

She added that the Vice President, who was the Acting President of country at the time immediately, visited the school himself made pronouncement that the university would commence academic activities in October 2017 and therefore decided that N.M.U is a done deal.”

She added that despite the fact that the N.M.U is a Federal institution, the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa swung into action by setting up a high powered committee for a start-up and appointed Barr Otuaro, releasing the sum of One Hundred Million Naira as take off grant to N.M.U and later donated two 5000 kva electricity generators.

She explained further, that during her meetings with stakeholders, Barr Otuaro would postulate that the existence, development and destiny of Gbaramutu kingdom is tied to actualisation of the dream of the physical manifestation of academic activities in N.M.U of which it’s prophetic utterances have materialised not  only for the people who dwell in this vast, rich Maritime territory, but also for all Nigerians because the 1st set of matriculating cadets consist of students from 24 states of the federation, while second set consist of students from 28 states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

She equally appreciated Senator James Manager and Hon Julius Pondi for their efforts in ensuring the dreams of the university come true, while applauding the Honorable Minister of Education, Adamu U. Adamu for directing the National University Commission to issue approval for the commencement of N.M.U.

She revealed that at the moment because of the magnanimous free will of Executive Secretary of National University Commission, N.M.U from a start has 3 faculties consisting of 13 undergraduate programmes which are exclusive of the Basic Studies unit.

The vice Chancellor appealed to the Federal government to expeditiously come to their aid by recommending the project works at the permanent site at Okerenkoko and possibly install a gas generator for electricity supply which she said will go a long way in maintaining continuity and steady growth of NMU.

Some of the students who have been maintaining a cumulative GPA of 4.5 and above since they resumed at the institution received N150,000 each from the scholarship funds of two prominent sons of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the federal government has assured the University of her total commitment to the infrastructural development of the new and fast growing Federal University in Delta State.