The host community of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Akpakip Eyo Abasi group of villages of Oron in Akwa Ibom State, have frowned at what it described as an unwarranted attack on the federal institution located in the area.
They have also urged certain individuals and groups sponsoring and financing frivolous petitions against the academy to desist forthwith.
The community is of the opinion that such petitions can jeopardise the Federal Government’s efforts in developing the institution, which it noted has made tremendous impact since its establishment 48 years ago.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The communique, which was jointly endorsed by the Chairman, Eyo Abasi Council of Chiefs, Asukwo John Esanga-Bianga; National President, Akpakip Eyo Abasi Elders Forum, Asukwo John Iduo; and other critical stakeholders, including youths and women, was made available to journalists in Uyo, the state capital.
The Oron Youth Movement criticised the appointment of the acting Rector of the Academy, emphasising that appointing a rector for a defunct academy runs contrary to the expectations of the people.
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The group stated that the Act establishing the Academy has been repealed by the National Assembly and the Act establishing the University of Maritime Studies, Oron was enacted in its place, in 2022, wondering why appointments are still being made to the defunct academy.
However, the community said it was alarmed by such malicious and unfounded petitions circulating in the media, which it said are designed to tarnish the good image of the academy and undermine its progress.
It therefore urged the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to disregard these petitions and instead focus on supporting the academy’s efforts to provide world-class maritime education and training.
The community instead issued the following resolutions: “That the entire Eyo-Abasi communities are in complete support of the Federal Government’s policies and programmes towards the Maritime Academy and the acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna-led administration.
“That the management of the academy should be focused more on delivering its mandate and responsibilities, rather than dissipating energy on reading or reacting to spurious write-ups and petitions because they appear distractive.
“That we further warn detractors and other unscrupulous elements both internal and external to sheath their swords and desist from writing malicious pieces that jeopardize the Federal Government’s efforts towards the development of the Maritime Academy, Oron.
“That we also use this opportunity to warn some social groups in Oro nation not to use both print and electronic media to cast aspersions on the personality of the management staff of Maritime Academy and to initiate concrete actions towards repositioning the institution for a better tomorrow.”
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