* Says Ijaws Fighting To Kill Oleh Campus As Isoko Women Protest Peretomode’s Action
A Pan-Isoko group, Isoko Monitoring Group (IMG), has joined the leadership of the umbrella body of the Isoko nation, Isoko Development Union, (IDU), and other well meaning indigenes of Isoko to condemned in its entirety the relocation of 100 level students of Engineering Faculty from the Oleh Campus, Isoko South local government area of Delta state to the main campus of the Delta State University, (DELSU), Abraka, by the Vice Chancellor (VC), of the school, Mr. Victor Peretomode.
In a press statement released by IMG, signed by its President, Mr. Sebastine Agbefe, addressed to governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and made available to newsmen, the group while noting that the VC’s move was highly provocative, said it would resist “this daylight witchcraft by our Ijaw brothers in every legal, social and political way available.”
While also using the medium to remind governor Okowa that the Isoko nation has not recovered from the inadequate provisions for Isoko nation in the 2018 budget as well as the hardship the poor execution of the Ughelli-Asaba road has brought to the Isoko people, the group noted that as the election draws nearer the Isoko people are watching to know if truly “your smart agenda is for all Deltans.”
“Your Excellency, it is on record that Ijaws have been fighting dirty to kill Oleh Campus for whatever reasons best known to them. One of their sons have been caught earlier while stealing vital equipment from Oleh Campus and selling same to other Institutions. Now, the VC, Prof. Peretomode who is also an Ijaw man has allegedly concluded plans to relocate 100 level students of Engineering Faculty from Oleh Campus to Abraka, after the Isoko people have successfully fought for the accreditation of the Engineering programs and ensured that there are functional laboratories and studios for effective learning.
“Your Excellency, we regret to state that despite the enormous contributions of Isoko to the treasury of Delta State, the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro and Delta State University, Oleh Campus are the only major State government presence in the entire Isoko nation. We are calling on you to use your good office to prevail on the VC and the Senate of DELSU to put a total stop to that wicked and evil plan and allow the 100 level students of Engineering faculty to learn in Oleh Campus.
“Your Excellency, it is on record that there is no Campus or Institution in Delta State that its host community or ethnic nationality is funding except those that are sited in Isoko land. Both the Law and Engineering Faculties in Oleh Campus have been suffering accreditation issues and the management of the University technically and craftily abandoned the Campus until Isoko sons and daughters took it upon themselves to donate and contribute in whatever way they can to ensure the Programs in both Faculties are accredited.
“Your Excellency, the Isoko Development Union, IDU, the umbrella body of the Isoko people have written to the VC and Commissioner of Education in Delta State regarding the discontinuation of the said relocation of the 100 level students from Oleh Campus to Abraka, but these efforts have yielded no positive results because we learnt that Prof. Peretomode has vowed that over his dead body will Oleh Campus succeed.
“Your Excellency, Sir, it is not heard of anywhere in Delta State or Nigeria that an institution is sited in one locality with all functional equipments and the students of that institution or campus will be force to spend extra, pass through avoidable stress and risk their lives in the events of missing results or carry over by going to other towns to receive lectures. In the case of Delta State University, it is a known fact that each of the campuses are run and develop based on the funds generated from that particular campus, a situation that will make Oleh Campus total bereaved of funds should the 100 level Students of the Engineering Faculty are relocated to Abraka.
“We are calling on you to use your good office to prevail on the VC and the Senate of DELSU to put a total stop to that wicked and evil plan and allow the 100 level students of Engineering faculty to learn in Oleh Campus. Your Excellency you will recall that the Isoko nation has not recovered for the inadequate provisions for Isoko nation in the 2018 budget as well as the hardship the poor execution of the Ughelli Asaba road has brought to the Isoko people. As the election draws nearer the Isoko people are watching to know if truly your smart agenda is for all Deltans.” IMG said.
Meanwhile, Isoko women numbering over 500 who came out on Tuesday enmass to protest the relocation of the 100 level students of Engineering Faculty from the Oleh Campus to the main campus of the State University, (DELSU), Abraka, have stated categorically that everything shall be done to resist any attempt to relocate the 100 level Engineering Students back to the Oleh Campus.
The aggrieved women rained curses on the institution’s VC, and called on governor Okowa to as a matter of urgency and importance to call to order the VC.
The President General of Isoko Development Union, (IDU), Mr. Iduh Amadhe, while addressing the protesting women condemned the action of VC.
Also speaking, the Odiologbo of Oleh kingdom and chairman, Isoko traditional ruler’s council, Anthony William Ovrawah, (Ovrawah Omogha 1), expressed displeasure over the move by the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode.
