GOVERNOR UZODIMMA ADVOCATES FOR STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, APPEALS TO ASUU TO CALL OFF STRIKE

The Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has appealed to the conscience of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to allow students to go back to school, saying any sacrifice made to achieve that should not be seen to be misplaced.

Governor Uzodimma made this plea during the working visit of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) at Government House Owerri.

The Governor said that "education is the key ingredient for national development, so it is the responsibility of leaders in the country to resolve issues and controversies that tend to impede the academic progress of the youths."

On the controversies surrounding land allocation in FUTO, the Governor noted that he has gone the extra miles to investigate the problems and related matters, noting that he believes the problems can be resolved amicably.

He therefore appealed to both the natives and the visitors to the school, the management, staff and students to see the need for the school to operate in a peaceful environment by creating a win-win situation for all interested parties. "This will allow FUTO Community to enjoy the adorable Imo hospitality."

Governor Uzodimma described FUTO as one of Imo State, South East and Nigeria's most cherished Universities and declared his Government's willingness to support the university to succeed.

In his remarks, Senator Tilley-Gyado said they came on the visit as a "mark of respect and protocol to the landlord and to assure him that FUTO will work in synergy with the Government and people of Imo State under the present Governing Council."

While expressing sincere gratitude to the President for the gesture, Sen. Tilley-Gyado thanked the Governor for gettng the Federal Government to approve Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri as a part of the Faculty of Medicine and Clinical Training of FUTO. 

The Chairman noted that there is need to end the land crisis in FUTO, ensure security, remove all distractive hinderances to both local and foreign investments in the school and issuance of a certified Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the FUTO lands to the Institution.

The 17- member Governing Council, both external and internal was led by Senator Tilley-Gyado and Prof. (Mrs.) Nnenna Otti the Vice Chancellor of FUTO with the Deputy Governor, Professor Placid Njoku, and other Government officials present at the meeting.