First African Marine University to Open in Imo State – Okorocha

The Imo State Government
is embarking on the
building of the first Marine
University in Africa at the
Ose - Motor location in
Oguta Local Government Area of the
State.

The State Governor, Rochas Okorocha told
the media in his address following his visit
to the proposed site recently. He said,
with the issue of land now settled, work
would soon commence and the University
which will be the first of its kind in Africa
would be of benefit to the community,
Imo and Nigeria.

The Governor revealed that the primary
phase of the project will cost about N2.5
Billion, comprising the construction of the
perimeter fencing, landscaping of the
administrative blocks, classrooms and
hostels. He further disclosed that the Imo
State Oil Producing Development
Commission (ISOPADEC) was to fund the
project, stressing that the Commission has
sufficient resources to execute the project.

Okorocha pledged that the University
would be ready to admit its first set of
students in the next two years. "The State
Government is collaborating with the
Korean Marine University after a visit by
the ISOPADEC Board to the institution, to
understudy its programme," the Governor
informed.
While appreciating the efforts of the
people of Ose-Motor community in the
donation of a parcel of land for the
University project as well as for citing of
the Federal Government's sea port and
naval base projects, he also noted that the
location would be of great advantage to
the institution.

The Managing Director of ISOPADEC,
Henry Uzo Okafor in his speech, said that
the Commission has the financial capacity
to undertake the development of the first
phase of the project. He expressed
appreciation to the Governor for
approving the site and acknowledged that
the Ose - Motor people are anxious to
witness successful execution of the
project.
Henry Uzo Okafor pointed that when
completed, the project would be beneficial
to the oil producing areas of Ohaji Egbema
and Oguta Local Government in terms of
employment and education for the youths
that would guarantee them service in the
oil companies.