FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has pledged his support for the University of Port Harcourt of which he is an alumnus.
He has promised to approve a land in a choice place for the governing council to build UniPort Centre.
He also pledged a personal support from his family to establish a multimedia centre in the university’s ultra modern Convocation Arena, which was constructed when he was the governor of Rivers State.
He made these promises recently in Life Camp, when the governing council of the university paid him a courtesy call.
“I have never hidden my intention to support the university. It’s surprising to me to that a great university like the University of Port Harcourt does not have a Council building.
“As minister of Education, I attracted a lot of support to the university, as Governor, I equally supported”, he affirmed.
Wike however called on other alumni members that God has put in places to support and do something. “I will give you land here in Abuja to build your centre.” Wike noted.
On the issue of the multimedia centre, Wike said: “Me and my wife, we will pay for the multimedia at the Convocation Arena. Today I will tell my wife to provide the money. I owe it a duty to support you” (the university governing council).
Wike made it clear that he would not use FCT money for projects in Rivers State, but for land, he would gladly give because it is within his capacity to do so.
He therefore charged the governing council to maintain the institution as a centre of excellence which universities are meant to be.
Earlier, chairman of the governing council, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa told the minister that they were they for three things.
He noted that the minister that they were there to congratulate the minister on his appointment, to congratulate him on his superlative performance as minister of the FCT and request for a land to build the university centre, just like the John Kennedy Centre in the USA, as well as assisting in providing a multimedia centre at the university’s Convocation Arena which he built when he was governor of the state.
He said: “We need your support to fix the Convocation Arena which you built. We need your support and your presence at out 50 years anniversary.”
In his vote of thanks, UniPort’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill thanked President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for appointing Wike, who through his performance as FCT minister has proven capacity as a leader as well as his contributions to UniPort.
According to him, Wike is an alumnus that they are proud of.
He revealed that the roads leading to the Convocation Arena and the road in front of the Senate building have been named after the FCT Minister.
“We always hold you in high esteem, even the blind can see what you are doing, the deaf can hear what you are doing,” the varsity boss said.
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