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The expectations of
Udu people in Ughelli South local council of Delta State that the area
will soon become a host community to a higher institution have been
temporarily put on hold as work on the proposed Michael and Cecilia
Ibru University, has been abandoned.

The proposed
institution of higher learning, belonging to former Managing Director
of Oceanic Bank and her husband is located along the Udu-Ughelli Road,
between Otu-Jeremi and Ekapamrhen in Ughelli South local government,
Delta State.

Mrs Ibru was
recently convicted of corrupt enrichment following her arraignment by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over her tenure as
head of Oceanic Bank.

A resident of Udu,
Ojarekre Urubwevwu who spoke to NEXT at the site, said construction
work on the site was abruptly put on hold when the bank chief was
arrested and detained for financial crimes by the EFCC.

“We be dey happy
say we go soon get university for here o, until we hear say dem carry
the madam put for prison. Na that time the people wen dey do the fence
come stop work wen dem hear say madam dey for prison. May be dem fear
say dem no go see their salary take,” he said.

Mr Urubwevwu, who
owns a farm opposite the proposed school’s site, said that grounds of
the planned university was a beehive of activities prior to the
incarceration of Mrs Ibru last year. Ever since then, however, the site
has been abandoned for unknown reasons.

Still hoping

All efforts by NEXT
to locate any of those who worked on the site before the abrupt
stoppage of work failed, as they were said to have been brought from
far away to work on the site.

Even though he
could not tell when the landed property was acquired for the
institution and when work began at the site, the local farmer said the
project had made people around the community to be very happy.

He, however, expressed hope that work on the project will resume
again, and that the hope of having their name written on the world map
through the school will come to pass.