Victor Akan urges FG to upgrade MAN, Oron to Varsity .. As Asanwana declare him credible for Senate

BY SAMUEL OKPO

The 2015 senate aspirant in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Engr. Victor Akan (Jr), has urged the Federal Government under the leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to upgrade facility in Maritime Academy of Nigerian (MAN) Oron, to university standard.

Akan  stated this  in uyo, the  capital city of Akwa Ibom state during an interaction with newsmen over the weekend. He said that rather than siting a new Maritime University in Bayelsa state, it is imperative for the Federal Government to upgrade facility in  Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to a full flesh university.

He observed that it would be a waste of the country resources to build a new Maritime University in any part of Nigeria when the environment in MAN, Oron is conducive enough for Maritime University.

He however commended the Federal Government for approving Federal Polytechnic for Akwa Ibom state and therefore lauded senator Ita Enang, and Governor Godswill Akpabio, for their efforts in ensuring that the institution is brought to  the state. He challenged the State  representatives in the National Assembly  to move  motions in view of bringing the university to Akwa Ibom State considering the infrastructure in the Academy

Engr. Akan appealed to Govenor Godswill  Obot Akpabio and the Akwa Ibom State  House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Samuel Ikon,  to write to the presidency  to reversed his action in this regard, emphasizing the need for the university to be sited in Oron  which is known internationally.

“With the facility in Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, it will cost the Federal Government little or nothing to upgrade  the institution to a full flesh university, compare to the cost of building a new university in any part of the country. Our leaders and representatives from the state to the National must rise to the task of making a case for the university to be in the state.

“The  riverine area of  Oron is the best environment for the Maritime University to be sited in Nigeria. We must rise as a people and take possession of what rightfully belong to us as a state” he said. He lauded the member represented Mkpat Enin State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of  Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Ekong Sampson, for his position on the issue calling on other members to emulate his example as peoples representatives.

The Managing Director and Chief executive officer of System Metals Nigerian Limited,   Engr. Victor Akan (Jr), reiterated that if given the Mandate of Eket Senatorial District come  2015, he will bring succor to the people and as well give them effective representation in the senate and will make sure that  the Academy will be upgraded.

He solicited support of the people of Eket Senatorial District to serve them  in the senate arguing that this is the right time for  Oro Federal constituency to produce a senator in the next political season, saying “for about thirty one years oro has not produce a senator”.

Meanwhile, a former legislator in Okobo Loca  Government Area, Hon. Effiong Asanwana, has said that Engr. Victor Akan(Jr) is the best candidate for  the senate job in Eket Senatorial District come 2015.  Asanwana told newsmen in Uyo that Akan’s family political pedigree and his exposure in the International Labour market has automatically qualified him for the senate Job in the area.

He canvasses support for Engr. Victor Akan to be elected a senator assuring that with him in the senate, the people would have reasons to thank God.

“ Victor Akan is an industrialize of world class repute who believe in empowerment of the people  and is competent enough for the senate job compare to other aspirants in Eket Senatorial District” Asanwana said.