President Bola Tinubu has signed into law a bill establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Rivers State, marking a significant milestone for the Ogoni community and environmental education in Nigeria.
The university will be located in Tai, Ogoni town, and represents a crucial step towards addressing historical environmental challenges and providing educational opportunities for the region.
During the signing ceremony, President Tinubu emphasised the deeper significance of the new institution. “Today marks a significant milestone in our national journey towards environmental justice, education and sustainable development,” he stated. “The Ogoni have been at the forefront of our development and agitation and have suffered enough environmental degradation.”
Tinubu described the university as more than just an educational institution, calling it “a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to the people of Ogoni, the Niger Delta and the entire nation as a whole.”
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, highlighted the university’s focus on interdisciplinary programs in environmental science, clean energy, and sustainable technology, aimed at addressing regional and national ecological challenges.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu noted the university’s potential to address long-standing concerns and efforts to restore Ogoniland, stressing the importance of inclusive development and environmental sustainability.
Senator Mpigi Barinada, leader of the Ogoni delegation, expressed gratitude for the university’s establishment, describing it as a “beacon of hope” for the Ogoni community and an encouragement to embrace peace.
The president called on stakeholders, traditional institutions, academic communities, and the private sector to support the university. “Together, we will ensure that it will not only fulfil its mandate but also stand as a catalyst for transformational development across the country,” Tinubu said.
The new institution is expected to provide critical educational opportunities and contribute to environmental research and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
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