Ogoni youths, under the aegis of the Ogoni Youths Development Initiative (OYDI), have rejected the naming of the newly established Federal University of Environment Technology as “Saakpenwa/Koroma,” describing it as confusing, improper, and politically motivated.
Reacting on it, the President-General, and National President of the South-South Youths Initiative, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar, insisted that the institution should rightly be named Federal University of Environment Technology, Saakpenwa, since the main campus is already located in Saakpenwa, Tai Local Government Area.
Oscar argued that Saakpenwa has sufficient land and infrastructure to host the university’s pioneer faculties, while Koroma could serve as an additional campus when necessary. He noted that other federal universities across the country bear single, specific location names, and the new Ogoni institution should not be an exception.
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The OYDI President accused the Senator representing Rivers South East, Barry Mpigi, of influencing the dual-location naming for political reasons. He stressed that the university was established by the Federal Government as a confidence-building measure to support ongoing oil resumption efforts in Ogoniland, and therefore should not be subjected to political manipulation.
“We condemn the naming of the university as Saakpenwa/Koroma. It is strange, unacceptable, and does not reflect the primary location of the institution,” Oscar stated.
He further alleged a collaboration between Senator Mpigi and former PDP Chairman in Rivers State, Desmond Akawor, to divert the university’s main campus to Koroma for political gain. The group reminded both men that the Saakpenwa campus previously used by Rivers State University was voluntarily donated by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the Federal Government for the new institution, and this should be respected.
The youths called on Governor Fubara to intervene and ensure the naming controversy is resolved to maintain peace in Ogoniland. They also appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the name to reflect its true and original location.
The group warned Akawor to refrain from interfering in Ogoni development matters and threatened mass action if the Federal Government fails to correct the university’s name.
