Federal Government To Establish Fully Equipped, Solar Powered ICT Centre At Obong University
The Federal Government through the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo has promised to build a fully equipped and solar powered ICT centre for Obong University, a private university located in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The Minister made the pledge yesterday during the commissioning of the 2.1 km internal road of the university built by the Akwa Ibom State Government.
He served as both Special Guest of Honour and the representative of Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno at the occasion.
“I cannot come to my grandmother’s place and leave without leaving a mark. As I leave here, I am going back to Abuja, I must struggle to make sure that a comprehensive ICT is allocated to this institution.
“We are talking about an ICT centre with all functioning computers and solar power at the top, with a standby generator, so that there would be nobody to say it is not functioning.
“I say this with the authority bestowed me by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Obong University, Prof. Emmanuel Umana thanked Governor Umo Eno for his generosity in completing the 2.1km road and his unflinching commitment to the Arise agenda initiatives.
He described the internal road of the university as people-oriented project, that will serve not only the university community but also its environs.
“It will interest you sir, to note that you are in ward 7 and this access road is used by seven villages; Obong Ntak, Ibio nEdem Udua, Ibio Nto Achad, Ikot Mkporipo, Omumunyan, Obot Ebot and Ikot Ese.”
While the Vice Chancellor recalled the suffering people passed through prior to construction of the access road, he enumerated the present benefits of the road to include improvement and vehicular movement, reduction in transportation cost and economic boost in the area, which is a palm-oil producing belt.
However, the VC appealed to Governor Umo Eno to extend the internal roads to cover a few more areas in the university and that solar street light should be installed along the 2.1km access road to enhance security within the campus.
Goodwill messages were delivered in the event by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Fire Service, Mr. Ignatius Ekwere, the former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, the Local Government Chairman of Etim Ekpo, Hon. Gideon Uwa and the member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Hon. Mfon Idung.
Also in attendance were some commissioners, local government chairmen and top government functionaries.
Highpoint of the event was the commissioning of the access road by the the representative of Governor Umo Eno, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Prof. Emmanuel Umana – Vice Chancellor Obong University
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Honourable Minister Oil and Gas