· Urges host communities to give peace a chance*
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Branch, has lauded the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma for his commitment to stop encroachment into the University’s land.
Governor Uzodimma, who paid an official visit to the University last week for on the spot assessment of the encroachment menace assured FUTO authorities that the institution will enjoy unchallenged access to the expanse of land legally allocated to the school 40 years ago.
The Governor promised to work with the authorities of the institution to remove all encumbrances that will militate against her expansion as well as services to the society as envisaged by the founding fathers several years ago.
Delighted by the Governor’s action, the chairman, SSANU FUTO branch, Comrade Uchenna Nwokeji who spoke with journalists in Owerri last weekend, said the Union was happy with the support the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the management of Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) and the Government of Imo State have given to FUTO, particularly our dear Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nnenna Oti.
Comrade Nwokeji, who doubles as the Chairman of FUTO Joint Action Committee (JAC), said with the huge support the University is getting from the State Government, FUTO, under Prof. Oti, is poised to achieve her full potentials as regards emerging as the best University of Technology in Nigeria.
The Union also used the opportunity to call on the university host communities to give peace a chance and henceforth stop further encroachment on the University land.
According to him, the expansion and development of the university which includes establishment of the School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital are in the overall interest of the host communities, the good people of Imo State, South East and the entire country.
Similarly, the union used the opportunity to call on all those who have already built hostels and other facilities on FUTO land to make haste to vacate and remove their valuables so that they would not be taken unwares in the impending demolition by government.
On the insinuations in some quarters that the Governor’s visit to the University has political undertone, Nwokeji stated that, “such malicious and irresponsible fabrications are unacceptable to the union”. He urged the Governor and University authorities not to be distracted.
