The Bayelsa State Government on Wednesday announced the transfer of two of its mega agricultural assets, the Bayelsa Palm Estate and School-to-Land, to the Niger Delta University (NDU).

A press statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, noted that Governor Seriake Dickson made the announcement on Wednesday shortly after an interactive meeting with the Management of the university led by its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof Steve Azaiki, in Government House, Yenagoa.

The Governor who reiterated his administration’s vision for higher education, stressed government’s readiness to implement the policy of providing subvention to tertiary institutions with effect from this month.

According to the Governor, the era where institutions of higher learning depended completely on government for funding was over as it has proved to be unsustainable.

Governor Dickson, who assured NDU of government’s continued support, explained that the transfer is aimed at promoting self-reliance and revenue generation in the university.

He also directed the Secretary to the State Government to issue a circular to all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to work with relevant departments of the university as consulting partners in all government contracts.

Governor Dickson, who was presented with a pack of table water produced by NDU, expressed delight at the initiative and urged the institution to do more in the area of research to promote knowledge and business activities.

His words: “From this month, all tertiary institutions owned by our state will work on subvention. We have a deliberate policy of supporting and encouraging our tertiary institutions to incorporate two key companies. One is the Niger Delta University Farms Limited and the other is, the NDU consulting Services and Investment Company Limited.

“The whole idea is to support these companies and the university itself to be self-reliant and to undertake more research activities to render relevant contemporary services to the state, multinational firms and individuals doing business in this area.

“That way the University will build more capital. They will also utilise their abundant young energy by way of the student population that they have to add to the revenue base of the university.

“Universities in this state will no longer completely rely on the state government again. We have agreed on that. That is why I’m delighted today that the Pro-chancellor has led his members and Management to present one of their first products in pursuant of this initiative.”

Presenting a pack of the NDU bottle water to the Governor, the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Steve Azaiki, described the product as excellent, noting that regulating bodies including NAFDAC has already certified it as one of the best in the country.

Prof Azaiki applauded the efforts of the Governor in laying a solid foundation for the development of education, noting that Bayelsa would boast of critical mass of well educated manpower in both public and private sectors in the near future.

Dignitaries at the meeting included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson; Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Kemela Okara; Commissioner for Education, Honestly Obuebite; Vice Chancellor of NDU, Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo; and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Doubebe Wankasi.

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