Construction works will soon begin at the site of Hope Waddel University, Okagwe Ohafia, Abia State. Owned by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) construction works at the site stopped 15 years ago due to a disagreement between the church and Okagwe, the host community.

Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, recently intervened and resolved the contending issues and paved way for construction works to continue.

In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, disclosed that the governor brought all the stakeholders together where contending issues were sorted out.

The statement further disclosed that Ikpeazu wants the church to see the community as key stakeholders in the project having willingly given100 hectares of their ancestral land for the building of university. He also wants the community leaders to see the church as their partners who have brought positive development to their domain.

It informed that the governor also promised to intervene and if need be, appealed to the court to allow him to arbitrate on the lingering matter still in court between the school and its host community.

Commending the governor for his intervention, the Head, PCN Communication, Dr. Nnoke Ibe, noted that the agreement was reached in the spirit of peaceful coexistence, deep regard for the governor and progress of the state.