LACK OF PROPER NAMING FOR THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY - OGONI YOUTHS REACTS; CALL ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION. | #RWGBLOG
Operating under the umbrella of the Ogoni Youths Development Initiative (OYDI), the youths described the dual-location naming as “confusing, strange, and unnecessary.”
President-General of OYDI, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar, argued that since Saakpenwa hosts the main campus and has adequate space and facilities for the pioneer programmes, the institution should be officially named Federal University of Environment Technology, Saakpenwa. He noted that Koroma could be considered for a satellite campus in the future, but insisted that including it in the official name at this stage is inappropriate.
Oscar observed that other federal universities across Nigeria bear single, specific locations—such as the University of Port Harcourt, Federal University Otuoke, and the University of Calabar—and insisted that FUET should follow the same standard.
He further accused the Senator representing Rivers South East, Barry Mpigi, of influencing the dual naming for political purposes. According to him, the university was created as part of the Federal Government’s confidence-building efforts toward oil resumption in Ogoniland and should not be politicized.
“We condemn the naming of the university as Federal University of Technology Saakpenwa/Koroma. It should simply be Federal University of Environment Technology, Saakpenwa,” he said, emphasizing that the Saakpenwa site has sufficient capacity for students in these formative years.
He added that expansion to Koroma can come later, but the current naming is “strange and unacceptable.”
The group also faulted alleged plans to relocate the main campus to Koroma, stressing that Saakpenwa is not only better equipped but also more accessible to the entire Ogoni region due to its position along the East-West Road.
“This push to move the main campus to Koroma is a calculated collaboration between Senator Barry Mpigi and former PDP chairman, Desmond Akawor, to redirect the institution for political gains,” Oscar alleged, claiming Mpigi intends to reward Akawor using Ogoni resources.
OYDI reminded the public that the Saakpenwa campus—formerly used by the Rivers State University—was voluntarily donated by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to serve as the university’s main campus. They urged Senator Mpigi to respect the governor’s decision.
“We support Governor Fubara’s gesture and call on him to intervene to resolve the naming controversy. Saakpenwa/Koroma is unacceptable, and we will continue to oppose it until it is corrected,” Oscar added.
The youths further appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to revert the name to reflect its actual location.
“We call on Mr. President and the Federal Ministry of Education to clarify the university’s status and ensure that political motives do not overshadow facts. This kind of naming does not exist anywhere—why should Ogoni be different?” they queried.
The group also warned Desmond Akawor against interfering in Ogoni affairs.
“If Akawor wants development for Oyigbo, he should pursue it directly rather than exploiting Ogoniland,” they said.
OYDI concluded by threatening mass action if the authorities fail to properly rename the institution.
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