By Austin Ogwuda
Ozoro community is currently boiling as hundreds of women and youths have trooped out to protest the relocation of Faculty of Management Sciences from Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro to Orerokpe.
The protest is coming barely 24 hours after a delegation of leaders and traditional rulers from Isoko nation paid the State governor a solidarity visit at Government House Asaba.
The governor, while receiving them although was silent over the relocation issue but assured them that he wont do anything to undermine the Isoko people especially in the area of education.
The protesters, according to report reaching The Townhall blocked the Ozoro/Kwale/Asaba Expressway, thereby forcing travellers heading towards Onitsha via Asaba to take alternative routes.
The popular Owhelogbo junction was completely blocked with the placard carrying protesters calling for the reversal of the relocation on the ground that it would massively affect their economic fortunes.
Meantime, the Vice-Chancellor of the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Professor Jacob Oboreh has called for calm over relocation of Faculty of Management Sciences from Ozoro to Orerokpe.
Oboreh in a statement, said the relocation of the Faculty of Management Sciences from Ozoro to Orerokpe was intended to open up more rapid development in the University of Science and Technology.
According to him, 12 new programmes in the existing faculties will be created immediately in the area of Science and Technology, adding that the programmes being relocated will not in anyway be a set back to the University
“In addition to these new 12 programmes, three faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Sciences have been approved for the university by the Governor.
“The Isoko and Ozoro people should accept the relocation in good faith and let me assure all concerned that we will give equal opportunities to all Deltans in terms of admission and other considerations.
“The Isoko people who are major stakeholders in the University have met with the Governor and he has opened up his plans for the rapid development of the University.
“I therefore call on all our people to be calm and allow the Governor to unfold his massive development plans for our nascent University and the overall educational sector in our State”, the VC stated.
Credit: Daily Trust/ The Pond News
