By Tare Youdeowei

THE Chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, Delta State, Kingsley Ikiere, has appealed to the Federal Government to open the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom, in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Speaking with newsmen at Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom during the visit of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to the area, Ikiere said the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, would fast-track development in the entire Niger Delta region and pleaded with the Federal Government to do everything possible for the take-off of the university.

According to him, approval for the university was given by the Federal Executive Council in 2015 with principal officers duly appointed and a temporary campus secured at Kurutie not far away from Okerenkoko, describing the university as first of its kind in the country.