The vice chancellor (VC), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe has said the university is not relocating, but moving to its permanent site at Olori.
Iwe who stated this at a media chat and facility tour to mark his 4th year in office at the university, said both the present and the permanent sites are within the same vicinity.
“This is Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, but its permanent site is at Olori. The VC didn’t do it. That’s what is in the books and the papers.”
“We’re not relocating, there would be facilities here, there would be facilities there. And of course the permanent site is just about 10 minutes drive from here,” he noted
He explained that what happened was that by the time he was assuming office, funds were made available for the project.
“TETFUND, probably through the request of my predecessor agreed to give us seed money special intervention fund for the development of the permanent site.”
According to him, because he is a firm and committed believer in continuity, he had to make sure that the money is used where it was prescribed.
He said the visitation panel that came after the last two administrations warned that the present site is choked up and that efforts should be made to develop the permanent site.
“So, I am just an unprofitable servant who is doing what he aught to do by making sure that the money for the permanent site is used for the permanent site.”
“And that enlarging the university as prescribed by the visitation and of course as agreed by the visitor, the owner of the university is handled as such .
“So, the site is on course and if not for some delays or something like that, we should have completed some facilities by now but we’re working hard.”
