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OYOM Appeal To Tinubu To Appoint V-Chancellor UMSO, Board Of Governing Council

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OYOM Appeal To Tinubu To Appoint V-Chancellor UMSO, Board Of Governing Council

…Frowned At Appointment Of Acting Rector MAN

Oron Youth Movement (OYOM), has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a Vice-Chancellor and constitute a proper Governing Council for the University of Maritime Studies, Oron ( UMSO), which has replaced the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron through a repeal act by the National Assembly.

Reacting to the appointment of Dr Kelvin Okonna, as the “Acting Rector”, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, OYOM explained that in 2022, the Nigerian National Assembly through a full legislative process which included a Public Hearing, Passage of the UMSO BILL in the Senate, Concurrence in the House of Representatives, harmonisation by both Houses and Assent by the President of Nigeria, effectively repealed the MAN Act of 2004 and in its place enacted the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (Establishment) Act 2022.

OYOM Appeal To Tinubu

“We also appeal to the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, who as Akwa State Governor in 2010 committed the resources of Akwa Ibom State to acquire additional acreage of land and upgrade Infrastructures in the defunct MAN, Oron to meet the requirements of NUC, to intervene to ensure the speedy take-off of the University of Maritime Studies Oron.

“Specifically, we appeal that Mr President should speedily appoint a Vice-Chancellor and constitute a proper Governing Council for the speedy and effective take-off of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron ( UMSO), having been established by a legally binding University of Maritime Studies Oron (Establishment) Act. 2022 of the Nigerian National Assembly.
Finally, we strongly advise Dr Kelvin Okonna, the “Acting Rector” to tread with caution and not further embark on actions that could be seen as undermining the implementation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, (Establishment) Act 2022.”

In a statement made available to Core Reporters on Saturday, January 25, 2025, and signed by; Comrade Edet Eyo, Mnse, Mshe National President, Comrade Victor Onomo National Vice President 1, Comrade Edet Iyahakwa National Secretary, Comrade Victor Obiosio Nat. Director, Media & Publicity, Comrade Oyokunyi UmohNat. Director, Security & Special Duties, Comrade Sylvia Ekpot Nat. Director, Women Affairs and Comrade Emmanuel Essang Nat. Director, Organisation & Mobilization, the group wondered why a Rector should be appointed to a defunct MAN whereas the FG is yet to appoint Vice Chancellor and constitute a proper governing council for UMSO.

OYOM Appeal To Tinubu

Oron Youth Movement (OYOM), is a civil liberty organisation that represents the voice of the entire Youths of Oron Nation, which comprises the five LGAs of Oron, Mbo, Udung Uko, Okobo and Urue Offong-Oruko in Akwa Ibom State. However, the community of Oron Nation occupies the Eastern extremity of the Nigerian Nation. Bounded in the North by the large estuary of the Cross River and in the East by the Atlantic Ocean, Oron Nation is one of the few communities in Nigeria with a large Maritime environment, rich in Oil and Gas.

The believed that Oron Nation, with its Oil-rich Maritime environment, has suffered untold deprivation in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State due to its ethnic minority status.

The pains of Ibaka Deep Seaport, which was proposed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, to be sited at the Natural Harbor of Ibaka Bay in Oron Nation, which was frustrated by the Government of Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, is still very rife in the hearts of Oron People.

The statement rea in parts, “Our attention has been drawn to the widely publicised appointment of an Acting Rector for the legally defunct Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, which runs contrary to the expectations of the people of Oron Nation. In the lengthy write-up about the appointment of the Acting Rector which dwells extensively on the achievements of the defunct MAN, Oron as a Maritime training institution and on the image laundering of the appointee Acting Rector, no reference, whatsoever was made to the fact that the Act establishing MAN, Oron was repealed by the National Assembly of Nigeria and the Act establishing the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO) was enacted in its place, since 2022.

“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron established, first as a Nautical College in 1977, 48 years ago, did not properly fulfil the objectives for which it was established. Nigeria, a huge Maritime Nation, still trains almost all levels of its Maritime personnel in foreign Maritime institutions at a huge cost to the Nation’s economy. This is what led to the push for the upgrade of MAN, Oron to the University of Maritime Studies to properly serve the manpower and technological needs of the Nigerian Nation for its large Maritime environment with huge economic potential. It was especially so as the Nation’s Oil and Gas production was fast moving into Offshore and Deep-Sea terrain requiring advanced skills in Deep Sea and Ocean Engineering.

“The move to actualise the upgrade of MAN, Oron to UMSO commenced in earnest in 2010 when several visitations to MAN, Oron, were made by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) to assess both the academic and physical infrastructure in MAN, Oron and to recommend the requirements for the upgrade of MAN, Oron to a Maritime University. After meeting the requirements of NUC which included the acquisition of more land space and upgrade of Infrastructures with the resources of Akwa Ibom State, the then Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, who is now the Nigerian Senate President, forwarded a memo to the then President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, GCON, in 2015 and obtained approval for the upgrade of MAN, Oron to a University. Unfortunately, the approval given by President Jonathan without legislative backing could not be enforced.

“However, in 2022, the Nigerian National Assembly through a full legislative process which included a Public Hearing, Passage of the UMSO BILL in the Senate, Concurrence in the House of Representatives, harmonisation by both Houses and Assent by the President of Nigeria, effectively repealed the MAN Act of 2004 and in its place enacted the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (Establishment) Act 2022.

OYOM Appeal To Tinubu

“The UMSO Act, which has since been gazetted, is now a law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thus, the Institution called MAN, Oron, has legally ceased to exist.

“We in OYOM, as law-abiding citizens of Nigeria, are dismayed about the confusion surrounding the Take-off of UMSO, whose Establishment Act was enacted in 2022. First, it was an illegal appointment of a Governing Council in 2024 for MAN, Oron which no longer exists, instead of appointing a Governing Council for the newly established UMSO. Now, in 2025 is the appointment of an Acting Rector for MAN, Oron which legally has ceased to exist, instead of appointing a Vice Chancellor for UMSO. Also, information reaching us has it that the Management of the defunct MAN, Oron, under the leadership of the Acting Rector, is admitting new students, not minding the fact that MAN, Oron has lost its legal status as a training institution and any certificate issued therefrom would be deemed invalid.

“The Oron people and, indeed, Akwa Ibom State are deeply worried about the foregoing after they had ceded several hectares of their ancestral land to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the realisation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, in line with the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC). It appears that some Agencies of the Government of Nigeria are playing unwholesome politics with the Take-off of the University of Maritime Studies whose establishment Act had been duly enacted about two years ago.
Nigeria is a country governed by the Rule of Law.

“The University of Maritime Studies Oron (Establishment ) Act 2022 is a Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. People in leadership positions responsible for implementing the Act must not act in a way that could be interpreted as they are flouting the Act.” The statement said.

OYOM warned, this action of the FG if not reconsidered could be dangerous as citizens interpreting their actions could lose their respect for the Rule of Law in Nigeria. Saying,
“On behalf of the people of Oron Nation and indeed Akwa Ibom people, we in OYOM hereby passionately appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, that in the interest of justice and the Rule of Law, to please direct the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to take immediate actions to ensure that the provisions of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, (Establishment) Act 2022, are accordingly implemented. This should bring to an end the rigmarole tactics of appointments into the legally non-existent MAN, tending to delay the immediate commencement of the University.”

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Akwa Ibom

Governor Eno Unveils Miva Study Centre in Uyo as University Student Population Hits 34,000

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Governor Eno

Governor Eno Unveils Miva Study Centre in Uyo as University Student Population Hits 34,000

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has unveiled the Uyo Study Centre of Miva Open University, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and developing human capital in the state.
Eereporter.com

The study centre, located at No. 26 Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, was officially unveiled on Friday by the Governor, who was represented at the ceremony by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah.
Speaking at the event, Umanah commended the founder and management of Miva Open University for choosing Akwa Ibom as a location for its study centre, describing the initiative as a significant addition to the state’s growing educational sector.

The Commissioner described Governor Eno as an education-friendly leader, noting that education remains a key priority of the administration’s ARISE Agenda. He said the government had continued to implement policies and programmes aimed at improving access to education, strengthening human capital and equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Umanah assured private educational institutions and other stakeholders of the state government’s continued support and partnership, while expressing optimism that the presence of Miva Open University in Uyo would create more opportunities for students and contribute to the state’s human capital development.

Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of Miva Open University, Aniekeme Umoh, said the institution was excited to deepen its relationship with Akwa Ibom through the establishment of the Uyo Study Centre.
Umoh commended the Governor’s ARISE Agenda, particularly its focus on education, human capital development, youth empowerment and shared prosperity, saying the priorities align with the university’s mission of providing accessible and relevant higher education.

She disclosed that Miva Open University, which began operations with about 500 students, has grown to more than 34,000 students.
According to her, the Uyo Study Centre was established to provide students in Akwa Ibom with a conducive environment for learning, interaction with other students and access to opportunities within the university’s wider academic community.

Governor Eno

Governor Enoum

She added that the university was committed to creating a new category of higher education that responds to the realities of modern students and the demands of a rapidly changing world.

A 100-level Computer Science student of the university, Solomon Egheose, also commended the founder and management of Miva Open University for maintaining high standards in the administration of the institution.

Miva Open University is licensed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and operates as an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution.
Eereporter.com

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Education

Abia State University Suspends Lecturer Nnamdi Nwaeze Over Facebook Post on Workers’ Pay

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Nnamdi Nwaeze

Abia State University Suspends Lecturer Nnamdi Nwaeze Over Facebook Post on Workers’ Pay

The management of Abia State University, Uturu, has suspended Professor Nnamdi Nwaeze of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, over comments he made on Facebook concerning the plight of lecturers at the institution.
Eereporter.com

This was contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar and Public Relations Officer of the university, Chijioke Nwogu, on Thursday.

The statement partly read, “The suspension follows concerns arising from various social media posts attributed to Professor Nwaeze, which are inimical to the interests of the University and uncomplimentary to the Visitor of the University.”

Nwaeze had, on Wednesday, in a post on his Facebook account, alleged that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at ABSU were among the least-paid university lecturers in Nigeria.

He said lecturers at the university were still being paid under the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government salary structure, while being taxed based on the 2024 tax rate.

He also alleged that a 2024 ASUU-FG salary structure had not been implemented at ABSU and that another salary structure approved in December 2025 and effective from January 1, 2026, was yet to be implemented at the university.

Nwaeze further alleged that lecturers promoted between 2023 and 2026 had not been paid salaries corresponding to their new ranks, while some members had outstanding salaries dating back as far as 44 months.

According to him, about N163m in cooperative deductions was allegedly being owed by the government, while professors in federal and most state universities earned between N1.3m and N1.4m, compared with what he described as significantly lower earnings at ABSU.

He further queried the disparity in the earnings of professors at the institution, asking, “Did you know that most professors in ABSU earn less than N400k monthly? At this salary scale, a Keke driver who earns a daily net income of just N15k (many earn N20k & above daily) would earn more than a professor in ABSU (N15k x 30 = N450k per month)?”

Nwaeze also alleged that more than 85 per cent of lecturers no longer drove their cars and that staff members were relying on personal savings, borrowing, rental income and royalties from intellectual property to subsidise their work.

Nnamdi Nwaeze

Nnamdi Nwaeze

He stated, “Hence, rather than receive a subsidy from the government, staff are the ones subsidising the state government.”

However, the university management said it had constituted an investigative panel to examine the matter.

“Consequently, Management has constituted an Investigative Panel to consider the matter. The suspension takes immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation by the Panel,” the statement added.
Eereporter.com

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Economy

Olukoyede to Corps Members: Strive to be New Breed Youths in Fight Against Corruption

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Corps Members

Olukoyede to Corps Members: Strive to be New Breed Youths in Fight Against Corruption

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, across the country to strive to be new breed youths by taking ownership of the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes and upholding integrity, discipline and dedication in all they do.
Eereporter.com

He gave the charge on Thursday, August 13, 2026, while addressing Batch “B” Stream II Corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area, Ondo State.

Delivering a lecture titled, “New Breed Youths as Catalysts for National Development,” through the Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, DSE Emmanuel Onuminya, Olukoyede described youths as critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes, observing that Nigeria’s progress depended largely on the commitment of young people in sanitising the country and resisting corrupt practices.

“It is not enough to see yourselves as youths in today’s Nigeria; you need to see and carry yourselves as new breed youths. A new breed of youth should be angry with the failures of the past and develop strengths for new successes. As new breed youths, decide to be a solution rather than a problem, a builder, not a breaker, a thinker, not a plunderer, a pillar, not an evil caterpillar! Nigeria needs new breed youths who will be catalysts of development and springboards of progress,” he said.

While noting that corruption is the major obstacle to national progress, he stressed that young Nigerians must embrace a new mindset in order to break away from the longstanding culture of corruption that has hindered the nation’s development.

“Every terror in our land can be traced to corrupt practices. Hunger, diseases, untimely death, banditry, inflation, indebtedness, unemployment and other issues of social dislocation are caused by corruption. New breed youths should not be comfortable with these grim scenarios. You need to be a new breed of youth to pursue a fresh agenda of progress, integrity, development and anti-corruption in every realm. A new breed of youth is hungry for new results, angry with compromises and zealous for transparency. A new breed youth is willing and serious to interrogate his or her environment and expose shadiness and corruption.

“A new breed of youth is not interested in following the lines of least resistance. He fashions a new route of purpose and gives all it takes to walk in that route. A new breed of youth is the answer to the need for progress in our land. You need to be a new breed of youth to align with the mandate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,” he said.

The EFCC boss further challenged the corps members to see themselves as vanguards of positive change, urging them to be foot soldiers in the collective effort to rid Nigeria of corruption, economic and financial crimes.

He called on them to demonstrate integrity in their personal lives and professional engagements, stressing that the responsibility of building a better Nigeria rests significantly on the choices and actions of the younger generation.

The EFCC’s boss gave the same charge at NYSC Orientation Camp in Girei , Adamawa State.

Represented by Chief Superintendent of the EFCC ,CSE Ogolekwu Mary, the Chairman charged the youths to harness their energies into developing the country. At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Nonwa Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, Port Harcourt, Olukoyede spoke through Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC II, Otagada Sunday Ogar and enjoined corps members to embrace a value-driven life strengthened by patriotic desires to move the nation forward.

Speaking through Chief Superintendent of the EFCC , CSE Nana Fatima Abubakar in Kaduna at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp in Kaduna State, the EFCC Chairman urged corps members to be more committed to values of integrity and national development, stressing that their choices would determine the direction of the country’s future.

Corps Members

Corps Members

At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Keffi, Nasarawa State and speaking through the Head of Public Affairs Unit, EFCC Abuja Zonal Directorate, CSE Ngoundu Nguetar, Olukoyede enjoined corps members to see corruption as an affront and open war against their possibilities and future and they must therefore be brigade commanders and generals tackling the menace of graft

In Lagos, Abuja, Yenagoa, Maiduguri, Uyo, Benin-City, Ilorin, Makurdi and other locations in Nigeria, the anti-graft czar spoke passionately about the need for youths’ ownership of the anti-corruption fight and using their intellect and courage to save the nation the scourge of corrupt practices.
Eereporter.com

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