They spoke as parties at the receiving and giving ends of the dream–the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, which held its first matriculation ceremony on Saturday, at the Kurutie campus of the institution in Warri South-West local government area, Delta State.
Assuring that Niger Delta communities would enjoy other projects and continued support in the amnesty programme, Buhari said “the NMU, Okerenkoko, will be known around the world as the centre of excellence and a repository of knowledge in maritime matters.” The acting governor enjoined the matriculating students to take their studies seriously. He advised them to concentrate their energies on their studies and shun distractions.
Prof. Etebu expressed thanks to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, saying his administration through the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, who chaired the Start-Up Committee, has spared nothing to give unquantifiable support necessary through the provision of N100, 000, 000.00, two 500kva electricity generators for the smooth running of the institution at the teething stage of commencement.
Prof. Etebu, who noted that the university has three faculties that consists of 38 undergraduate programmes, said the first set of matriculating cadets were students from 24 States of the federation while the second set consist of students from 28 States in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.