Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has described the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology in Ogoniland, Rivers State, as a strategic response to urgent environmental challenges facing the country and the global community.
The Minister tasked the council members to collaborate, provide visionary leadership, and work with commitment, transparency, and integrity in line with the Act that established the institution, to drive its mandate and contribute to national development.
“To the newly appointed Governing Council, I extend congratulations. Your appointment is both a recognition of your capacities and a call to patriotic service. The role you are about to assume goes beyond ceremony, demands visionary leadership, strategic oversight, accountability, and unwavering integrity,” he said.
He added that the University has been mandated to commence admissions for the 2025 academic year, as TETFUND has approved the take-off grant.
“We have infrastructure and other facilities already in place, so students will be admitted in this current 2025 admission year,” he said.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyson Wike, represented by the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, urged the new appointees to discharge their duties with integrity, professionalism, and a deep sense of responsibility.
“I urge the Governing Council to work with all relevant authorities, including staff and students, to make the University a center of excellence with transparency,” she said.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, urged the Council members to be steadfast in their responsibilities as they are bound to face challenges, being the pioneer council of the institution.
“You are bound to face challenges but you must succeed. You must be strong because if the foundation is weak, successes will not manifest. Should you have any challenges, our doors are open,” he said.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. Don Mon Baridam, on behalf of members, noted that their appointments and inauguration are a clarion call, especially at a time when there is the need to solve environmental and technological challenges in the country.
“We have no reason not to succeed in the collective assignment, although a great task lies before us. We are committed to work with the host communities and partners for the university to succeed. The real work now begins,” he said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education, the National Security Adviser, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, and other stakeholders for making the institution a reality.
The Governing Council of Bayero University, Kano, was also inaugurated by the Minister, with a charge to ensure effective service delivery in the institution.
Appointment letters were also issued to all the council members.
PIAK