By Fatuma Asha and Lodu William Odiya
Citizens in Yei River state have welcome the establishment of a new University in the county following the recent announcement by the Central Equatoria State governor, Emmanuel Adil Anthony.
In an exclusive interview with No. 1 citizen newspaper, Danascovic Cosmas emphasized that the idea would improve on education status in the area.
“For me the idea of establishing University in Yei is good idea because Yei is known for good quality education because of the co existence of the people and it’s going to accommodate students from Lainya, Morobo etc” he said.
according to Cosmas, he is confident because the idea was proposed last year through the help of former bishop of Episcopal Church of South Sudan’s Hillary Adeba together with some Members of Parliaments representing Yei County.
“My advice to the governor is that let him stick to his promises by implementing this idea because they’re known of not fulfilling their promises” he said.
On his part, Sowu Ben Justin, said that the announcement is vital because many youths have dropped out of school without attending University.
“We have so many private and government institution here in Yei and with this announcement according to me it will help us a lot because many youths are left without going to University some are going to Juba, Uganda, and Kenya” he stressed.
“They are going out a lot but now, with the establishment of Yei university here, it can even help reduce burdens from the parents and guardians” he added.
Ben urged the government to implement the initiative in order to reduce criminal gangs, early marriage and pregnancies in the county.
“My advice to the government is that the youth are now becoming gangs, soldiers at a tender age girls going into early marriages, early pregnancies there is nothing that makes parents happy” he said.
Meanwhile, a Source who denied anonymity underscored that the initiative is one of the most crucial, especially and more particularly for the people of Central Equatoria, and not only Central Equatoria, but it is for South Sudan at large.
“It is good to have Yei University within the Central. Now, bringing that initiative of establishing the University is going to create a civic education where people will have access to learning. It is not only in Yei but people from the nearest states will also have access for that learning environment” his statement stressed.
“To me, that idea, it is very genuine one. it should be put in place so that the people around will be the beneficiary and even the community will be the beneficiary and even people from outside, they can be able to come and enrolls into that university” the statement continued.
According to him, by establishing the University, it is going to give a learning environment or it is going to make Yei to develop in terms of education.
“I am sure that the steering committee would have a very strong body that will oversee and overlook the project, where they will participate into it by making sure that all the necessary resources are gathered and are put in place” his statement continued.
He urged the communities and the stakeholders and the Ministry of Education, both national and at local levels, is to work hand in hand to make sure that this goal is achieved.
By establishing the Yei University, it is going to be one of the greatest achievements that people will achieve, and will make sure that we have an effective learning environment.