On 11th May 2015 in a later referenced no. GHU/AKS/S/161/10 and titled UPGRADING OF THE MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA TO MARITIME UNIVERSITY His Excellency Godswill Akpabio wrote to the President of the Federal Republic praying as follow:

1. Approve and announce the upgrading of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to a MARITIME UNIVERSITY.

2. Appoint and announce a transition administrative structure for the new Maritime University.

As a follow up to this on 18th of May 2015 the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Admin), Mr. Matt Aikhiombare in a letter to the Hon. Minister for Transport referenced PRES/99/MT/226/84/EDU/224 unequivocally conveyed Mr. President’s approval to the Hon. Minister of Transport and copied the Hon. Minister of Education for implementation. The said letter was very clear in its subject matter.

Rather than implement the said approval Mr. Joshua Okpo, Rector Former Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron claimed through a document referenced PRES/37/MF/2/852/83/MPWR/141/B1/SUP/-4/547 dated 27th May, 2015 and purportedly signed by the same Matt Aikhiombare that his position as Rector, Maritime Academy has been renewed for another 4 years in an institution which technically has ceased to exist.

Curiously this is done with his full knowledge of the new status of the institution 9which ha been upgraded to university. More worrisome is the fact that this happens clear 3 months before the expiration of his first tenor which would have expired on July 27 2015, had the new university not been approved. The question, very respectfully is whether Mr. Okpo intended the new institution to wait until he completes his second term in the academy or he doesn’t want the change so he can continue his term.

In the said document it is maliciously indicated “upgrading of Maritime Academy to a degree awarding institution” rather than Maritime University which was approved. This looks like a deliberate attempt to downgrade the president’s approval of a Maritime University to suit a purpose different from what His Excellency Dr. Godswill Akpabio dutifully requested for and was subsequently graciously granted by then President Jonathan.

Read More @ http://www.thekillerpunch.com/maritime-university-oron-a-time-to-rise-up-for-truth/

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