Ogoja, Cross River state – The residents of Ogoja, a community in northern Cross River state, have taken to the streets in a peaceful protest to voice their concerns over the relocation of the College of Nursing and Midwifery from Ogoja to Obudu. The move, which was initiated during the tenure of former Governor Ben Ayade, has stirred strong emotions among the people of Ogoja who are demanding the restoration of the college as a stand-alone institution in their town NEGROIDHAVEN has learnt.
The protest, which saw a significant turnout of residents, was marked by placards, banners, and passionate speeches denouncing the relocation. Mrs. Pauline Obute, one of the leaders of the protest, expressed the collective sentiment by saying, ‘Bring Back Our College of Nursing and Midwifery Science Ogoja. Ogoja cannot be a campus under Obudu but a stand-alone college. Enough is enough.’
The contentious issue revolves around the decision to relocate the College of Nursing and Midwifery from Ogoja to Obudu, effectively downgrading it to a campus under the Obudu establishment. This move has sparked questions about the motives behind the decision, with residents expressing their disappointment and frustration.
The protesters are questioning the motivation behind relocating already established institutions from Ogoja to Obudu, especially after showing their support for Ayade during his time as Governor and later as a Senator. They feel that their goodwill has been met with a decision that they perceive as unfavourable to their community.
One of the core demands of the protesters is the restoration of the College of Nursing and Midwifery as a stand-alone institution in Ogoja. They also called for the attention of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to intervene and address their concerns.
The protest highlights the deep-rooted attachment of the residents of Ogoja to their educational institutions and their strong desire to maintain these institutions in their community. The display of unity and determination during the protest emphasizes the significance of this issue for the people of Ogoja.
As the residents continue their peaceful demonstration, the authorities are urged to heed their calls and engage in a dialogue that addresses their concerns and ensures the educational interests of Ogoja are safeguarded.
