Isoko women protest against relocation of students

HUNDREDS of women have staged peaceful protests against alleged relocation of 100 level engineering students of Delta State University (DELSU) from the Oleh campus in Isoko South local government area to Abraka by the vice chancellor, Professor Victor Peretemode.

The women chanting songs and with placards with various inscriptions such as “Peretemode stop killing Oleh campus,” “Okowa call Peretemode to order,” “Moving Oleh100 level engineering students to Abraka is Oppression” among others, matched from the Law faculty gate to the administrative office of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the women, Mrs. Polina Ashoma, said that to meet the requirements of the Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) and Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) for the accreditation of programmes in the faculty of engineering, laboratories were built and equipped for physics and chemistry to serve the 100 level and other students of the faculty.

She added that a standard engineering drawing studio has been completed, noting that creating double accommodation for the 100 level engineering students becomes a burden to the parents with consequent poor academic performance.

The women also matched through the roads and streets of the town to HRM Anthony William Ovrawah Omogha 1, the Odiologbo of Oleh, and chairman of Isoko South traditional rulers council, represented by the secretary, Mr. Kola Obrogo. They also took their protest to the president general of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Chief Iduh Amadhe.

The duo condemned the alleged relocation, stressing that it was easier for the science-based courses lecturers to teach the students at Oleh campus instead of relocating them to Abraka, assuring that the Isoko nation will bear the costs of any movement by the teachers.

They appealed to Senator James Manager representing Delta South Senatorial District to prevail on Peretemode to rescind the decision or risk not being voted for by Isoko people during the 2019 election.

Amadhe contended that the plan was meant to kill Oleh campus which development the Isoko people have contributed hundreds of millions of naira since 1995.

He stated that about N17 million equipment were supplied by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) through the commissioner representing the state, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo. He noted that at present, five departments of the engineering faculty are equipped.

Amadhe cautioned the vice chancellor not to promote animosity between the Isoko and Ijaw, noting: “We are brothers in one senatorial district.”

Oleh community development union protem president general, Comrade Ufih Fredrick, said all the facilities required for learning were available at Oleh campus, noting that the alleged relocation is counter-productive and inimical to the development of the engineering faculty and the university in general.

Responding, Professor Stephen Emosairue, provost of DELSU’S Oleh campus, said it was purely the institution’s administrative issue which, according to him, will be handled administratively, promising to take the women’s complaint to the vice chancellor.