The Former Minister of Information, Dr Labaran Maku has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, without further delay.
Speaking during the 3rd Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Annual Memorial Lecture, held Igbariam campus of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Dr Maku observed that the more the Nigerian government continues to detain the IPOB leader, the more tension will continue to escalate in the country.
He equally believed that Kanu’s release will douse the agitations in the South-East.
Dr Maku described Nigeria as a historical accident that has come to stay and warned that the African continent will weep in case of any disintegration in Nigeria.
Speaking on the topic “Harnessing education for National Development: Lessons from the Life and Vision of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu”, the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka said Ojukwu represents a symbol of resilience and commitment to principles and tasked the new educational model to produce not only skilled professionals but also ethical citizens.
The Ike Obosi described the future of Igboland, Nigeria and Africa as one that depends on how well citizens harness education to build a society grounded in shared value, discipline and purpose.
“COOU must evolve into more than just an institution. It should symbolise promise and transformation, becoming the birthplace of a new class of leaders who will champion policies grounded in culture and practicality. This vision aims to create lasting change and shape the future of the Southeast and Nigeria”, so says the ex-Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Responding, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha called on investors to partner COOU, whose name the university bears, by building student hostels and staff quarters to curb the spate of fatal accidents that have claimed the lives of 12 students in the last 10 months of her administration.
She noted that the endowments (partnership) could be done through Private Public Community Partnership (PPCP) model geared towards engaging Anambra indigenes to help develop their homeland, stressing that the University is ready for investors, hence have set up the University Business Ventures to drive the businesses and partnerships.
“Since we took over 10 months ago, I have received shocking numbers of death of the students through Okada and keke accident. We need hostels in the University to cut the rising spate of their avoidable accidents. We need staff quarters for staff that are feeling restive with the rising cost of transport and living.
“We call on all of us here to support the University named after Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu to grow and shine as well as make its mark in the World.”
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of some plaques of appreciation to sponsors of the Ojukwu Annual Lecture and eminent guests alike.
The Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Lecture series, in 2018.###
