Host community seeks confirmation of Mkpandiok as Maritime Academy rector
Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo may now be considering the request of the Oro ethnic nationality in Akwa Ibom State, host of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron where their son had been on acting capacity for too long.
In their request during a recent town hall meeting, the group appealed to Osinbajo to appoint an indigene of the area as substantive rector.
The group in a statement under the aegis of the Oro Youth Movement noted that the academy has had an acting rector for the past eight months after the death of the erstwhile one in August, 2016.
The statement said the non-recognition or confirmation of the present acting rector, Mkpandiok A. Mkpandiok, does not augur well for the well-being of the institution and their relationship with the Federal Government.
They appealed to the Acting President as an erudite scholar himself to consider the confirmation of Mkpandiok as the substantive rector as he has demonstrable experience as an academic, and would do well if given the opportunity.
They said we have “been in the forefront of the struggle since 1999 for the enthronement of a transparent, accountable and democratic leadership at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron – the only Federal government-owned institution in our community,” they have a stake to demand for the confirmation of the acting rector as to enable him drive the Change Agenda of the present government, and give the community sense of belonging.
The movement appealed to Osinbajo to not only direct the immediate implementation of the degree-awarding status granted the academy since 2007 with budgetary provisions without further delay, “but also to direct the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to, without further delay release all outstanding funds meant for the Academy and ensure regular remittance of funds as at when due, to facilitate the academic and infrastructural development of the institution to meet up her mandate as a world-class maritime training institution.”
