Chris Njoku, Owerri
THE Visitor to Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday warned the institution host communities to stop forthwith wanton destruction of properties belonging to the school in the lingering boundary dispute.
The President, who handed the warning at the 32nd convocation ceremony of the school, said the federal government was not weak in taking possession of the land that was legitimately acquired.
Rather, the President, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said as “a responsible and engaging government, prefers to dialogue and engage with the stakeholders in reaching peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
He appealed to the host communities to exhibit greater cooperation with management of the university.
“The lingering boundary conflict with the university for so many years without amicable resolution is most unfortunate,” he stated.
Read Also: FUTO SUG advises students against rape, ritual killing
He urged the host communities to see the siting of the university in their communities as a blessing and help partner with the university for its expansion and development.
While commending the management and staff for stability and industrial harmony that exist in the university, the President admonished them to formulate policies and regulations that would guide against unethical academic activities, sexual harassment, as well as establishing a code of ethics for staff and students.
“These policies will help promote academic excellence and create a healthy system for teaching, learning and research.”
He congratulated the 2,848 graduates awarded first degrees and postgraduate degrees and urged them to contribute to the development of the nation by translating ideas and experiences gained from the university into tangible products of entrepreneurship.
Also, the Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihiedioha, disclosed that his administration would partner with FUTO in the recycling of waste products in a bid to keep the state clean, adding that the government he inherited had little respect for environment.
He announced that his government had awarded a 17km Nekede-Ihiagwa- Owerri-Port Harcourt-Obinze road project to Chec Construction Company at a cost of N6.3 billion, adding that 28 road projects are going on simultaneously in the state.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor thanked the federal government for their sustained assistance and interventions towards the development of the university.
“We are still encumbered with so many challenges like inadequate funding, lack of staff quarters, inadequate foundry facilities, insufficient laboratory equipment, stadium, encroachment on the university land, delisting of some academic programmes among other nagging issues,” he said.
Leave a Reply