The Organised Ndokwa Effort (ONE), a Delta state-based development group dedicated to promoting “an Ndokwa without barriers,” has praised Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for his efforts to establish the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Kwale.
The Group is also “highly impressed with the Governor of Delta State, Elder Sheriff Oberevwori, for his prompt cooperation in gifting the Sites backed by the original Certificates of Occupancy, and offering the State General Hospital at Kwale for the University Teaching Hospital.”
The group is pleased that Prof Abel Nze Onunu, a seasoned medical professional, is the first Vice Chancellor of the Federal University.
Interestingly, Dr. AHMADU BARAU BANYE SALISU, the newly appointed Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Medical University Kwale, is a well-known figure in medical science, a seasoned medical surgeon, and a former physician to the late Yar’ Ardu’a. His international reputation will make it easier to accelerate the University’s global recognition.
ONE’s Chairman, Ossai Udom, recalled that former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege met with the Utagba-Ogbe community in Kwale on Friday, May 28, 2021, at the request of the ‘Organised Ndokwa Effort (ONE).
During the meeting, the Community made a strong plea for the establishment of a Federal University in Kwale, which he generously promised and later fulfilled.
According to the ONE, a tactical approach resulted in a win-win-win for all three Kwale quarters, boosting their respective local economies.
ONE also revealed that Sen Ovie Omo-Agege, the former Deputy Senate President and the 2023 APC Governorship candidate for Delta State, broke a century-old jinx by establishing a pioneer Federal University in Ndokwa land, a historical accomplishment and the first of its kind in Nigeria’s entire South-South geopolitical zone.
According to the group’s coordinator, Svt. Rodney Odibe Odili-Obi, “The entire Ndokwa ethnic nationality, and the Kwale town in the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal constituency, are eternally grateful to Omo Agege for ensuring the official approval of the Federal Government for the establishment of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale.”
Svt Rodney also stated that the Kwale community’s genuine efforts to provide a suitable location for the University’s siting are based on criteria such as
The Delta State Government owned 200 hectares of dry land at Umuseti/Emu Ebendo in Kwale, along the Ozoro road, which was gifted without compensation and was free of any form of land dispute or encumbrance. Delta State Government also provided a portion of their Technical College in Kwale, which they owned, as a take-off site.
All of the sites are Delta-owned properties, including the only permanent site at Umuseti, so the stakeholders met at the Ndokwa West Local Government secretariat hall in Kwale, which was hosted by Chairman Chief Obi Nzeteh. The handover of the original Land documents took place at the Deputy Governor’s Office.
The Utagba-Ogbe Community, led by its capable President General, Chief Theophilus Adoh, promised unity and peace to progress.
The sites at KWALE, which are officially offered by the Delta State Government (DTSG), have been inspected by a team from the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, and other related Federal Government agencies and are now ready for use.
According to Svt Rodney, “As it stands, there is no winner takes all in providing the suitable sites, resulting in an inevitable ‘three (3) arms site’ which is already a win-win-win for each of the Kwale quarters include, Umusam: Delta State Govt owned Technical College for the take-off site, Umusadege: Delta State Govt owned General Hospital for the Teaching Hospital, and Umuseti: Delta State Govt owned 200 hectares of dry land, with a duly notarised Deed of Gift from ONE, we urge all Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituents, both at home and in the Diaspora, to take an interest in making human and material resources available to the newly established University to ensure its solid foundation. It should be our ultimate goal to make the Institution one of the best internationally.
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