By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodinma has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari has graciously granted
his request that the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri be converted to Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Teaching Hospital.
He also disclosed that President Buhari has accepted his request to direct that Alvan Ikoku College of Education becomes Federal University of Education Owerri.
Uzodinma stated this on Friday while briefing State House Correspondents after a closed doors meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on his purpose to the seat of government.
According to him: “It is not easy to overnight to build a University Teaching Hospital. I have approached Mr. President to approve that the Federal Medical Center Owerri be converted to Federal university of Technology Teaching hospital.
” So if it is upgraded to a Teaching Hospital, it would be available to Federal Unversity Technology Owerri use in maintaining and managing the medical school approved by National University Commission (NUC)”
“On second hand, you will recall that Alvan Ikoku College of Education prior to 2015 was taken over by federal government. The process started under a regime of the late President Yar’Adua, completed by President Goodluck Jonathan anr in 2015, it was placed on hold”.
“Now that the school have met with all the requirements expected of them, I have come to plead with Mr. President to direct that the hold be lifted, so that Alvan Ikoku College of Education will become Federal University of Education Owerri”.
“I am so excited that Mr. President gave me the assurances that these two requests will be approved”.