The governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has appealed to the
federal government to establish two more universities in Imo that will
specialize on Energy and Agriculture.
The state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who made the appeal when
the senate committee on Education led by Comrade Uche Chukwumereije
paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri, said that
University of Agriculture will go a long way in encouraging the
agricultural practices in the state, while the University for Energy
will help in putting the excess gas flare in the state to proper use.
Governor Okorocha, urged the committee to remove the issue of federal
character quota for admissions into federal universities to enable Imo
indigenes secure admission to federal universities in the country,
adding that priority should be given to the states that are more
talented in education.
The governor who said that Imo is highest in the federation in the
area of education, noted that the state government has embarked on the
construction of 305 Model Schools in the state as well as extended its
free education programme to the state government owned tertiary
institutions.
Governor Okorocha also, disclosed that his administration has embarked
on numerous developmental project in the state including construction
of over one thousand (1,000) kilometer of road projects, construction
of 27 general hospitals, construct ion of Presidential Lodge, Liaison
office Abuja and Deputy Governor’s office among others and however
stressed the need for federal government to increase its quota in
educational budget to Imo state.
Earlier in his speech, the chairman of the Senate Committee on
Education, Comrade Senator Uche Chukwumereije, thanked Governor
Okorocha for finding time to be with them and expressed his
satisfaction on the level of development he witnessed in Imo state,
especially education upliftment and free education given to all Imo
indigenes in the state.
He also said that their main reason for coming is on oversight
function to federal institutions in the state to enable the committee
know their problems and channel it to appropriate quarters. Comrade
Chukwumereije, also accepted that the idea of using federal character
to deny Imo the desired strength in university pursuit is not good and
assured that something should be done about it, stressing that people
should not be punished for being talented on education.
