Governor Hope Uzodimma’s determination to turn around the fortunes of Imo State was taken to another level on Friday when he got President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the federal government to build a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology Owerri.
The National Universities Commission recently approved the commencement of a Medical College by FUTO.
Buhari’s approval did not end with FUTO having a Teaching Hospital as he also conceded to Governor Uzodimma’s request for the federal government to fully take over the Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri which earlier approval was suspended since 2015.
Governor Uzodimma got the approvals during a private meeting he had with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.
Cognisance of the need for FUTO to have a training ground for her medical students, Governor Uzodimma requested from President Buhari that the Federal Government upgrades the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri to a Teaching Hospital status so that the FUTO medical students can be trained therefore.
Presidential approval was also granted to Governor Uzodimma’s request for the full take over of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education by the Federal Government.
Since 2015 when the federal government indicated interest in the ownership of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri as a federal institution, the idea is yet to be consummated but the Governor’s meeting with President Buhari has put paid to all encumbrances as the Presidency has given nod to its full take over by the federal government.
In a chat with newsmen after his meeting with President Buhari, Governor Uzodimma said: “The plan is to upgrade the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri to a Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri which will be made available for the maintenance and management of the Medical School approved by National University Commission (NUC).
“The President has also given a nod to the full take over of Alvan Ikoku College of Education by the Federal Government which was suspended in 2015. This is following the institution’s compliance with the requisite requirements by the National University Commission.”
During the chat, Governor Uzodimma also used the opportunity to advise Nigerians to think deeply about what insecurity and economic sabotage have done to the economy of the country.
He suggested that Nigerians pay less emphasis on the citizens choices of religion and where they come from, particularly as it concerns the political parties and their choices of candidates for the 2023 general election.