…calls for upgrade of School of Marine Technology, Burutu, College of Education, Warri to universities
A traditional High Chief in ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade has appealed to the Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to include notable technical schools and colleges of education located in Ijaw and Itsekiri areas of the state in his planned upgrade of schools to universities.
Chief Mulade, the Ibe-Sorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom and the National Coordinator of Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, made the appeal at Benikrukru Town in Warri South West LGA of the Delta State, while addressing newsmen on the planned upgrade of some institutions to universities in the state.
The peace advocate and environmentalist said that the original plan was for upgrade of College of Education Agbor to a University of Education; and that Anwai Campus of DELSU as well as Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro were added as University of Agriculture and University of Science and Technology respectively to douse tension and to avoid confrontation and accusations from other quarters of the state.
Chief Mulade who is also an educationist, further appealed to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to include the School of Marine Technology, Burutu, the College of Education, Warri and Sinebe College, Bomadi to give a sense of belonging to Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups in the planned upgrade of schools.
He said the Marine School of Technology, Burutu should be upgraded to a University of Fisheries, Marine and Environmental Studies; the College of Education Warri to a University of Peace and Conflict Studies; the Sinebe College, Bomadi to a University of Youths Development and Leadership; while the State School of Nursing Ofuoma-Ughelli to a University of Nursing and Midwifery Studies.
The peace and environmental advocate said when this is done, it will improve the educational opportunities in the ethnic areas and Delta State in general.
Comrade Mulade noted that failure to upgrade any of the recommended institutions in Ijaw and Itsekiri areas of the state would be regarded as a deliberate plan by the Governor to neglect the cry of the people and worsen the already existing educational gap in the areas caused by absence of universities.
He also said it would be unfair to the Ijaws and Itsekiris of the state if the governor ignored the appeal because the areas contribute the largest financial quota to the state’s development funds.