A social media influencer, Chika Nwoba, has lashed out at the Ebonyi State government over its claim the proposed University of Aeronautics in Onueke in the Ezza South Local Government Area of the state was its brainchild.
Nwoba contended that the Ebonyi State government goofed in announcing that it attracted the project to the state, adding, “They’ll not tell you this. They want to take the glory of everything.”
He stated this on Monday, on his Facebook Page, which has since gone viral with myriads of reactions trailing it.
He said, “The ongoing Ebonyi State University of Aeronautical Science project in Onueke is not a project of the Ebonyi State government. The institution is a project of the Turkish government. It’s funded by Turkey. Ebonyi State government’s responsibility is to provide the land, water, security and power source. Others belong to the Turkish government. It’s the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“The project was attracted by Senator Dr Paulinus Igwe-Nwagu of Ebonyi Central through his Nsukka friend, who’s a Professor at a Turkish University in Turkey. The slot was given to the man and instead of it wasting as the timeframe was already elapsing, he reached out to Senator Igwe-Nwagu who then discussed it with former Governor Umahi. His tenure was up and the present government adopted it.”
“They’ll not tell you this. They want to take the glory of everything.”
But in a swift reaction, the state government said the university was entirely owned by it, adding that it was the first of its kind in the country.
Special Assistant to the governor on New Media, Leo Oketa, stated this on Monday.
He said, “I have read the submission of Nwoba Chika, regarding the Ebonyi State University of Aerospace Engineering, Ezza, where he WRONGLY conceived that is it a project of the Turkish government, attracted by Senator Igwe-Nwagu.
“Good enough, he noted that ‘it is the first of its kind in Nigeria.’ and this is true. As such, it is a very sensitive project, not just for the people of Ebonyi State, but the entire country. Therefore, there is a need to clear this false message he has dished out to uninformed members of the public.
“In a landmark legislation of December 10, 2021, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, then led by the current governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru passed into law the Ebonyi State University of Aerospace Engineering Law; Law No 019 of 2021.
“It is a university law that was single-handedly conceived and prepared by the state government. The details of the law are clear as day, to be owned and run by the Ebonyi State government.
“Amongst others, some of those who supported the law on the floor of the House on that day were; the then Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Victor Uzoma Chukwu (Ezza North West state constituency) and Hon. Christian Usulor (Ezza South state constituency).”
