The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr. Nyesom Wike has promised to allocate land to the University of Port Harcourt in the FCT for the establishment of its Centre for Leadership and Political Studies.
The Minister made the promise when the university’s governing council, led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, visited him in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The promise followed a request by the University governing council chairman for the ministers’ support to enable the university to build the centre, a replica of the John Kennedy Leadership Centre in America..
He disclosed that Wikematics Political Ideology would be part of the studies at the centre, if established, considering Wike’s political trajectory and antecedent in politics.
The pro-chancellor and chairman of council also sought Wike’s support to establish a well-equipped multimedia centre at the university’s Convocation Arena, to mark the university’s 50th anniversary.
According to Ohuabunwa, the convocation arena was built by Wike when he was the governor of Rivers, including the Faculty of Law when he was the minister of education.
The minister, who was obliged to support the allocation of land, however, said that he would not give the university FCT’s money to build the centre.
“Government alone cannot do it. Those of us who graduated from the university, and who God has helped, should also support.
“I cannot take FCT money and give you, no, but I will give you land to build your centre.
“My wife, my friends, and I will provide the money needed to build the multimedia centre you have asked for,” he said.
The minister said the support was to give back to the university where he studied political science before going for further studies to become a lawyer.
He asked the university management to also reach out to other alumnus of the university, particularly Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State who equally graduated from the university.
Earlier, Ohuabunwa explained that they came to see Wike to congratulate him for his appointment as FCT minister and for his outstanding performance so far.
He also said that the visit was to also inform the minister that the university would celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, with a N10 billion endowment fund.
He added that the minister would be among the great alumnus of the university that would be celebrated at the event considering his contribution to the development of the university.
Comments are closed.