In 1975 a minor land dispute between host communities, led to the relocation of a Federal University from Ogoja to Calabar by stronger forces. We were in turn compensated with a unity school (FEDERAL SCIENCE COLLEGE OGOJA).
A typical journey from the Hills of Obanliku to the State capital is over 324 km. Applying for admissions into any of these Federal institutions, from Ogoja to Federal University Wukari is 192 km, University of Nigeria Nsukka is 256 km, University of Agriculture Makurdi is 209 km. Imagine the human and economic challenges going by road.
States with special needs are given preference for more than one Federal University. Base on legitimate demand, Delta State has a Maritime University, Petroleum University and an ICT University. Benue and Anambra States are at the verge of getting two each. Ogoja is not asking too much!
Ogoja the only old province without a state is in deer need of Federal presence. From time, the politics of state creation eluded us an opportunity of becoming a state in the CALABAR-OGOJA-RIVERS (COR) Province. From 1967 when the regions were dissolved into States to the last time in 1996, Ogoja have missed five critical events of becoming a state.
First timers in the National Assembly are presumed inept in the business of legislation. But one man have changed that narrative, pulled through and sponsored a bill for the establishment of a Federal University. Base on need assessment Rt. Hon. Jarigbe Agom thought it wise to bridge the gap in knowledge, research, economic and infrastructural development with our Southern Senatorial counterparts.
We can not undermine the huge economic benefits of a Federal University, direct and indirect jobs, infrastructural development, artisans and a huge traffic for business.
His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, Sen Rose Oko, Leaders of thought, civil society, political leaders irrespective of party affiliations, religious leaders should pressure Mr. President Muhammad Buhari to assent on this all important bill.
Long live Ogoja!
Long live Cross River State!!
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
©Kanjal Awam
The federal government should do something about the long neglect of the university.
ReplyDelete