Minister of Transportation and former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has been honoured by the University of Port Harcourt where he graduated in English & Literary Studies many years ago and where he made huge impact by erecting a massive building for the faculty.
This is as workers and students he left behind are wallowing in the untold hardship caused by the lack of water and light to the massive structure. Gov Nyesom Wike has however, made what looks like a master move, hosting the pro-chancellor and offering over N1bilion worth of projects to the federal university. He offered N200million to build Law Faculty, said he had released N400million to complete the Humanities Building Amaechi started, offered to build a convocation arena, and offered to install water and light in the Humanities Building. Huge applause trailed these offers.
The management, staff and students of the University of Port Harcourt had commended the former governor for his contributions to nation building as well as his donations and the impact made during his tenure as governor of the state.
Speaking at the 2019 University of Port Harcourt International Conference on Language and Literature, with the theme, ‘Language, Literature and Governance: The African Experience’, held at the school premises, Acting Vice Chancellor, Hakeem Fawehinmi, said Amaechi’s contributions to the school were remarkable.
Welcoming the minister to the university, Fawehinmi said, as governor, Amaechi made contributions that improved on the overall well being of the University. “For us this is another home coming because we know the formidable role you played as a student and as a Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and then later as the Governor of Rivers State.”
“Your name must be mentioned towards the growth and development of this University. We are happy to have you as our guest and a formidable Alumnus, one of the major benefactors of the University. The University community is indeed elated to have you in our midst. We are proud that you have a deep sense of commitment to the University of Port Harcourt.”
“It’s common knowledge that you have made so many donations to the University of Port Harcourt, and we are still tapping from your milk of kindness. We are aware that the English House, the faculty building and many others were donated by you,” he said.
Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, the professor, Femi Shaka, described Amaechi as their own and commended him for his outstanding performance in the position he occupies.
Responding, Amaechi said, “I am glad to associate with my alma- mater and I will be glad to associate with the English Department. What makes a University is the quality of academic staff and I believe that you should source for them.”
“If any of you (lecturers) are in need of anything please call my attention. That is one way I can pay back to the school. For me, that is more important than anything. I am required by society to respond to the needs of my people. The first and most important thing we should do is the assessment of our former lecturers, we must care for their medical conditions,” Amaechi added.
The imposing building however, is not yet powered nor does it have water supply, it has been put into very big use. A tour of the building by media team on Thursday showed that some departments have procured small generating sets (I-Pass-My-Neighbour) to power some minor equipment and provide light. It is not clear how the toilets are flushed for such a massive building with high human traffic as Arts and Humanities Faculties always are anywhere.
Newsmen gathered that the political tension under which Amaechi ended his last three years (2012 – 2015) with acute scarcity of funds due to political strangulation may have made it difficult to put finishing touches to the edifice. His bitter rival and successor, Nyesom Wike, was said to have been kind enough to complete the project but stopped short of water and light. This has put smile halfway on the lips of lecturers and students.
Those interviewed however, blamed the university management for inability to connect it to their power supply network and water reticulation scheme. A source said: “It is like a case of if someone marries for you, he buys mat for you?”
Governor Wike has however, reacted, promising to bring light and water to the building. He made it clear he it was that approved N400million to complete the building.
Ignatius Chukwu, Kelechi Esogwa & Gladys Nweke
