By Sam Akanimo
The Otu administration in Cross River State is bracing to float a University of Education and Entrepreneurship in the state.When established, the university will take over the current facilities of the state College of Education at Awi in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
Interestingly, the state Executive Council has given its go ahead for the establishment of the university. It was one of the 15 proposals approved by the Council during its meeting at the weekend in Calabar, the state capital.
Governor Bassey Otu, according to his media handlers, charged members of the Council to brace up for greater records of successes in this second year of the administration.
In spite of the fact that a good number of achievements have been recorded by the administration in the last one year, the governor said, “much more would have been recorded if not for some obvious challenges that are receiving attention currently.”
Governor Otu declared that results are what matter and very soon, we are getting to where results will count and every Commissioner must brace up.He commended all Exco members for the role they have played individually and collectively for the Administration to record the achievements accounted for within the first year.
After the Exco meeting, Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, explained that some of the major approvals in their 5th meeting in the current year include, an approval granted to the draft Executive Bill seeking to establish a state University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Awi Akamkpa Local Government Area.
The commissioner explained that the approved Executive Bill will be transmitted to the state Legislature for further legislative action, including Public Hearing by the legislature, before final nod is given to the proposal.
The Exco also approved a proposal seeking a strategic collaboration in the state between universities and MDAs to foster local fabrication of basic necessities in Agriculture, Education materials, Health care, Water and Sanitation.
The Council approved the acceptance of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria’s (AMCON) offer to settle outstanding indebtedness for Tinapa Business Resort, whereby in eighteen months the state will make full redemption of its obligations through equal monthly installment payments and thereafter, pave way for future investments and revitalisation efforts for the resort.
The state Library which is currently under renovation got an approval for a revised scope of work after it was disclosed that the earlier contractor, an indigenous firm, disappointed the state and had its contract revoked.
The Otu cabinet also approved the proposal for Urban Water Rehabilitation to be facilitated by development partners, without cost to the state government. The said funds will be credited as grant in tranches within the duration of the project.
Another strategic approval of the Exco, the commissioner disclosed, was the approval for the release of the state counterpart fund for the Special Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) Programme of the Federal Government.
Cross River is the only state in the South-South zone of the country qualified for the programme that will see the injection of over $210 million in investment funds into seven participating states in Nigeria including Cross River from the African Development Bank, who are project partners.Other Project partners such as the Islamic Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are jointly contributing $310 million. The Nigerian Government is investing $18.05 million in the programme.
