By Dayo Adesulu
Leader of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, a coalition of militants groups supportive of President Buhari, Self-styled “Major General” Johnmark Ezon-ebi, aka Obama has warned that the refusal of President Mohammadu Buhari to sign the Maritime University Bill will trigger violence in the Niger Delta region.
Calling on Buhari to revisit the decision, he said: “RNDA notes that the refusal of Mr President to sign the bill establishing Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko is already causing tension in the region and if not properly managed by the Presidency, can cause violence in the region.”
He, however urged the leadership of the South- South Traditional Rulers Forum under the leadership of HRM King Edmund Daukoru and the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, HRM King Diete Spiff as well as the leadership of HOSTCOM, Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Nigeria to seek urgent meeting with President Buhari to address the matter.
His words:“We also urge other leaders and stakeholders of Niger Delta, including National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole; Captain Hosa Okunbor and Chief Francis Inegbiniki to prevail on Buhari to give the decision a second thought to resolve any ambiguity contained in the bill and sign it into law.” RNDA enjoined agitators in the region to remain calm, saying, “His (President) refusal would not lead to the closure of the university as some citadels of learning operated for years before they were legalised through the signing of the enabling bills into law.”
Vanguard had reported that there was flurry of meetings, weekend, by different militant groups, activists, elders and leaders of the region with many expressing anger over the president’s action.
This it noted was confirmed by the leader of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, “Major General” Johnmark Ezon-ebi, aka Obama.
The Maritime University was granted approval in January by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence undergraduate degree programmes effective from the 2017/2018 academic session.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had also listed the University in its Central Admissions Processing System in January 24, 2018, while interviews for academic staff positions were conducted between 1st and 2nd of March, 2018.
The Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, Delta State was established in last year under the 2018 Establishment Law of Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, Delta State.You will recall that the National Assembly has already passed the bill left for President Mohammadu Buhari to give his assent.
