Francis Biobarakuma, a former State Assembly candidate under the Accord Party, has strongly condemned the rumoured plans to relocate the Federal University of Agriculture (FUAB) from Bassambiri in Nembe LGA.
In a Facebook Live session, Biobarakuma addressed the issue, urging unity among stakeholders to ensure the development of Nembe-Sé and calling for an end to the recurring pattern of relocating educational institutions from Nembe-speaking areas.
During the live session, Biobarakuma was joined by Pastor David Ekiprebo Alfred, who also expressed disapproval of the alleged sabotage. Pastor Alfred urged Chief Timipre Sylva to step up as a leader and father figure for the Nembe Kingdom by fostering unity rather than sowing discord.
“Chief Sylva must act like a father and leader of the Nembe Kingdom by uniting the Kingdom rather than sowing seeds of animosity amongst brothers so he can be respected as the leader he is supposed to be,” Pastor Alfred stated.
Biobarakuma echoed these sentiments, warning of the dangers of internal conflict within the Nembe community. He expressed deep concern over the continuous relocation of educational institutions from Nembe-speaking areas, a trend that he believes must be urgently confronted.
Biobarakuma cited the relocation of the College of Education (COE) from Okpoama-Brass to Sagbama under former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson as an example of this troubling pattern, pointing out that the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe in Southern Ijaw continues to operate without a motorable means of access.
Biobarakuma emphasized that this time, any attempt to relocate FUAB from Bassambiri would be met with strong resistance. “Our personal interests cannot be bigger than the general interest of Nembe Kingdom,” he declared, stressing that the Nembe people deserve a higher institution just as other regions in Bayelsa State do.
He warned that the current situation is driven by political undercurrents, and any politician or group attempting to mortgage this opportunity for selfish gain must be held accountable.
“This is not merely a political fight; it is a fight for the future of Nembe,” Biobarakuma asserted. He made it clear that this struggle transcends political affiliations, community, and local government differences, calling it a united front for the prosperity of all Nembe-speaking people.
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Biobarakuma further criticized the lack of action from Nembe’s sons and daughters in facilitating the approval process for the temporary facility for FUAB, a letter for which was submitted to the Governor of Bayelsa State months ago. He lamented that it is shameful how internal conflicts have obstructed the development of their own land.
Biobarakuma’s message was a call to action for the Nembe people to rise collectively against any further attempts to undermine their educational and developmental opportunities, stressing that this is a struggle for the future and prosperity of Nembe-Sé.
