By Andy Asemota
The President General of Aboh Development Union, Engr. John Ajie Ogwu, says the establishment of the first tertiary institution of learning in Delta North Senatorial District is long overdue.
Ogwu said this while analyzing the efforts of the Senator representing the district in the National Assembly, Senator Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi, at realizing their vision in the legislature.
The President General was reacting to the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Aboh (Establishment) Bill, 2021, that sailed through First Reading in the Senate on Tuesday, 1st June 2021.
Recall that the bill sponsored by Senator Nwaoboshi was taking at the plenary of the Red Chamber presided over by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
Ogwu explained that the Senator in line with the demands of Ndokwa leaders and major stakeholders holders in Delta North including traditional rulers for the establishment of a higher institution in Ndokwa nation began the process of giving the people a tertiary institution of learning by sponsoring a bill in the 8th Senate of the National Assembly for the establishment of federal polytechnic in Ndokwa land.
According to him, that polytechnic establishment bill was passed by the 8th Senate but unfortunately, it was stalled in the House of Representatives where the erstwhile representative of the area could not ensure that the bill sailed through the Lower Legislative Chamber.
The President General noted that a state polytechnic was also approved to be sited in Ndokwa land under the past administration of Governor Uduaghan in Delta State but the initiative did not materialize.
He said: “We have missed several opportunities to get a higher institution. In the entire Ndokwa land, there is no real federal presence except a prison (a correctional center). To get a university, we all are happy no matter where it is sited but sitting it in Aboh is beautiful. Aboh has been the headquarters and the main town in the whole place.
“It is the most ancient kingdom in that area. So, it was Aboh Division which is now split into three local government areas. Siting it (the varsity) in Aboh is the best thing that can ever happen to us.”
Acknowledging the commitment of Senator Nwaoboshi to their yearnings and aspirations, Ogwu said the legislator has done very good work.
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His words: “Posterity will ever remember him for this. You can never satisfy every person. Some people may not be very happy but we the entire Aboh and Ndokwa people are happy about this. In fact, we are too happy.”
The President General also said: “When the Governor Uduaghan approved a polytechnic (to be sited in Aboh), the people donated their buildings, their houses all over. The polytechnic would have started without the government spending anything.
“Now that the university is coming, it is the same thing; we will give our buildings and houses for the accommodation of lecturers and staff. We have schools available for the tertiary institution’s take off before it constructs more structures; we have available space and we are very happy.”
