Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has charged our people to think beyond the traditional buying and selling which have become endangered by current economic realities and begin to seriously consider the option of going into light manufacturing as a credible alternative.
Exploratory Committee for the setting up of University of Science & Technology in Aba with eminent Nigerian Professor Anya O Anya as Chairman.
He charged the members to conceptualize and deliver a 21st century University of Science & Technology to help feed the manpower needs of Companies and Industries coming up in Aba, Abia State and the South East. He said the University would form the fulcrum that would open new vista of development and would serve not only Ndi Igbo but Nigeria at large.
The Governor enjoined the Committee members to leverage on the advantages of SME manufacturing and availability of massive equipment and resources at the Meteorological Complex in Aba to drive home the vision of establishing the university.
Governor Ikpeazu, who described the Committee members as individuals with capacity to drive the vision of building a University of Science & Technology, expressed confidence that the Committee would do a good job. He asked them to do whatever they think is needful to achieve the goals of the committee
He said the essence of the University is to produce manpower that would assist in the economic development of Ndi Igbo, saying that the position of Ndi Igbo in Trade and Commerce is threatening and need to be salvaged through aggressive technology in the economic development and said that Ndi Igbo would remain appreciative of his government for a long time because of the proposed University.
The Terms of Reference given to the Committee include, to explore viability of siting the University in Aba, give options for funding, leverage on commercial & SME activities around Aba to drive the University, look at the rich human capital of Ndi Igbo, finding options of collaboration with development partners etc.
Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Anya O. Anya commended the Governor for setting up the Committee to develop a University Ndi Igbo and Nigeria at large would be proud of.
He restated that there cannot be an effective Enyimba Economic City without a Science and Technology base and assured that the Committee would do everything within its powers to achieve the Governor’s vision of building a University Ndi Igbo and Nigeria would be proud of. He told the Governor that by having the courage to start this, he has initiated a process that would change the course of our development in the future.
Other Members of the Committee are;
Engr. Dr. Isaac Nnadi, Chief (Mrs.) Uwaoma Olewengwa, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, Prof. John Ogunji and Prof. Nduka Okere. Professor Ikechi Mgbeoji will serve as Secretary of the Committee.
Some members of the State Executive Council were also present at the event.
