Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has charged members of Exploratory Committee for the setting up of University of Science & Technology in Aba to conceptualize and deliver a 21st century University of Science & Technology that would help feed the manpower needs of companies and industries coming up in Abia State and the South East.
The Governor stated this at Government House Umuahia, while inauguratig the Committee, said the university would form the fulcrum that would open new vista of development and would serve not only Ndi Igbo but Nigeria at large.
He enjoined the Committee members to leverage on the advantages of SME manufacturing and availability of massive equipment and resources at the Meteorological Complex in Aba to drive home the vision of establishing the University.
While describing the members of the Committee as individuals with capacity to drive the vision of building a University of Science & Technology, Dr. Ikpeazu asked them to do whatever they think would be needful to achieve the goals of the Committee expressing confidence that they would do a good job.
He informed that the essence of the University was to produce manpower that would assist in the economic development of Ndi Igbo, saying that the position of Ndi Igbo in trade and commerce was threatening the need to be be salvaged through aggressive technology in the economy development and said that Ndi Igbo would remain appreciative of his government for a long time because of the proposed University.
Ikpeazu used the opportunity to charge our people to think beyond the traditional buying and selling which has become endangered by current economic realities and begin to consider the option of going into light manufacturing as a credible alternative.
Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Anya O. Anya commended the Governor for setting up the Committee to develop a University of Science and Technology noting that there could be no effective Enyimba Economic City without Science and Technology.
He assured that the Committee would do everything within its powers to achieve the Governor’s vision of building a University Ndi Igbo and Nigeria would be proud of.
The Exploratory Committee for the setting up of University of Science & Technology in Aba has Professor Anya O. Anya as Chairman with other members as: Engr. Dr. Isaac Nnadi, Chief (Mrs.) Uwaoma Olewengwa, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, Prof. John Ogunji and Prof. Nduka Okere while Professor Ikechi Mgbeoji would serve as Secretary of the Committee.
The terms of reference given to the Committee include: to explore viability of siting the University in Aba, give options for funding, leverage commercial & SME activities around Aba to drive the University, look at the rich human capital of Ndi Igbo, finding options of collaboration with development partners.
