illeggal naming for university

Re – Ugbomro University

It is with great joy that the citizens of delta state were heralded with the siting of a Federal University in the state – ‘Ugbomro’ in Uvwie clan to be specific.
The siting of a national University in a core oil producing state like delta, one of the economic mainstays in Nigeria is long over due.
The University is the citadel of learning in any economy. It is therefore relevant that a vibrant economy like Delta should be granted a federal University. Since the University happens to be a Petroleum University, its usefulness is invaluable in drawing manpower to run the vibrant oil sector of the state. A petroleum University at ‘Ugbomro’ is therefore invaluable in producing manpower to run the oil sector of the state.
In as much as we are happy with the Obasanjo-Yar Adua administration for granting the desires of Deltans, we are not happy with the naming of the institution.
It will be desirable if the President, honourable members of parliament, Nigerian Universities Commission and the general public know that there is no community in the world known as ‘Ugbomro’. By the laws of the federal republic of Nigeria and the ruling of the highest court in the land – the Supreme Court in suit no sc98\93, the so called ‘Ugbomro’ community is rent paying tenant to Gbolokposo community. The land of Ugbomro was leased to them by Etsoye and Sansan, two descendants of Udefi who gave the land to the Urhobo people of Effurun.
Due to proper negotiation with the Isekiri, they allowed the Ovie of Effurun to be crowned. That was allowed because kingship has no more locus standi in Nigeria of today. It is with great dismay however that our tenants went behind our back to demand for a university, without the consent of us the landlords.
It is improper to cut off a large chunk of Isekiri land and use same to create a university for the Urhobo without the consent of the landlords.
The fact that Ugbomro is in delta central does not make it an Urhobo land. There are other Isekiri towns – Efurokpe, Ogun-Aja, town Sapele, Birifo and several Isekiri towns and villages. We the Gbolokposo descendants in Diaspora want the name of the school to be called Gbolokposo Federal University. We are tired of bloodshed. The executors of the law should be acquainted with the law.

Signed

Austin Ikomi, Eitchie Ederogun, and Emma Bira

For Gbolokposo Descendants in Diaspora