Open University Finally Opens In Sapele

By Joe Aminah, Sapele

A study centre of the National Open University Of Nigeria (NOUN) has at long last been commissioned in Sapele with a plea to members of the community and its environs to take advantage of the institution’s easy access and cost effectiveness to those seeking higher education knowledge at their convenience.

Delta State Commissioner, Higher Education, Prof, Patrick Muoboghanre, stated this at the commissioning of the National Open University Of Nigeria, (NOUN) Sapele Study Centre on Monday.

While remarking that the NOUN in Sapele, like others, admits indigenes and non- indigenes without discrimination, he stressed that it is for the benefit of the entire people of the area.

Muoboghare enjoined parents of the need for sound education, as according to him, “whatever service you render to your children by education, is done to the good of society and government at large.

Addressing journalists, Chairman, Sapele- Okpe Community, Mr Patrick Akamovba observed that the open university is a landmark achievement in the educational development of Sapele and entire Okpe kingdom.

Akamovba who assured of the maintenance of the federal institution, hinted of a blueprint towards the development of the area, as according to him, a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) between Sapele-Okpe Community is in the pipeline that will benefit electricity consumers and hasten the economic growth of the place.

We are indeed happy today, having waited for over a decade for the university to take off, like other study centres across the state and country.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, said that NOUN is a welcome development to the good people of Sapele Community maintaining that the importance of education can never be over emphasized.

Prof. Adamu noted that the National Open University of Nigeria has various study centres across the country and as such, urged Sapele residents to avail themselves the opportunity and be part of the system even as he expressed satisfaction to the management of Seplat for the gesture and thanked the executive of Sapele Okpe/Community.

In a vote of thanks, former Information Minister and Okpe chieftain, Prof, Sam Oyovwaire expressed gratitude to the executive of Sapele Okpe Community for effective execution of the project as well as government officials after years of its abandonment.

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While especially thanking former Education Commissioner, Prof, Hope Eghagha, Prof, Muoboghare and the community development partner, Seplat, on the actualisation of the dream, he noted that nothing would’ve been more cheering to the community, after what he described as decades of abandonment of Sapele, hitherto a citadel of learning in this part of the country.

Prominent among those that graced the commissioning were, representatives of the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, past and present executive of Sapele-Okpe Community, management of Seplat Petroleum Development Company, top local government functionaries and the creme de la crème of Okpe kingdom.