Governor Oborevwori ( 1st R),Delsu VC, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga(2nd ) & others during 16th Convocation Ceremony of the school on Saturday
By Samuel Ogude & Barahel Ukuta
Delta State Government Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori said his administration would do all within its power to support Delta State University with more infrastructure to enable the school compete favourably with other universities globally as the administration plays more premium on education in the state.
Governor Oborevwori stated this at the 16th Convocation ceremony of Delta State University, Abraka held today,Saturday in the school premises. According him, the government would continue to support the Governing Council, Management, Staff and students of the University to enable it achieve the goal of making the institution a global one to attract foreign students.
Delsu VC, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga delivering his address
He said this administration is also committed to sustaining timely and predictably in dealing with academic programmes in our tertiary institutions as the major legacy of the previous administration is the stability in the higher institutions. His words: In our school, a- four-year programme is exactly a-four-year. We don’t prolong or delay courses for industrial action, as a result, our children can achieve academic goals within the stated time.”According to him, so long the government can support education,it is not out of place for individuals,corporate organization to still support the school to enable it achieve its mandate. His words: “When the government will do its best that this university is able to compete with other universities, it must be noted that there is need to get support from pubic spirited individuals, corporate organizations and other stakeholders to assist us in this regard”.
Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM Monday Whiskey Udurhie 1 (middle) flanked by other traditional rulers
Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, the Governing Council, and Staff for their efforts which have made the school to achieve what it has today and therefore charged them not to rest on their oars to enable the University achieve its mandate. While congratulating the graduands for their successful graduation as their graduation is as a result of hard work, perseverance, he urged them to not wait for a paid job but can be an entrepreneurs of their own adding, as they leave the school into the world, there are many opportunities which they can explore to better their lives just he charged them to be good ambassadors of the school.
Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM Monday Whiskey Udurhie 1 (middle) flanked by other graduands
His words:”Don’t be thinking of getting a paid job, l challenge you to be entrepreneur approach to life”.He also thanked the parents of the graduands who stood by their children/wards financially,morally and otherwise to see that their children graduate successfully saying, with their graduation,the money they spent is no longer a waste. According to him, education is the best legacy parents can bequeath on their children saying, with this achievement, they would not only make their parents proud but leaders of their generation.
Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Professor Andy O..Egwunyenga said the institution has consistently kept faith with the core mandate of teaching and research ,which, according to him, has led to ceaseless production of quality few graduates who are noted for their global competitiveness, an attestation of having lived up to the vision of the founding fathers.
He therefore congratulated the staff and students on the success the school has recorded in sustaining the visionary ideas upon which the University was founded. The VC charged all and sundry not rest on their oars as even the most advanced Universities still continue to grow saying Delsu is not exception.
His words:”Though, we have achieved giant strides, there is still a lot of work to be done. In view of reality, I invite all stakeholders to join hands with us in building a University noted for international visibility, outstanding research, unparalleled discrimination and deployment of knowledge for human and nation building”.
According Professor Egwunyenga, the grand total number of graduating students for 2022/2023 academic session is 4,776 which broken down as follows : Post graduate degrees- 730, first degree- 3611 and Diplomas- 435
He said, the institution under his tenure for the past four years, remarkable achievements have been made which include the construction of Micro- biology laboratory, ongoing construction of Engineering drawing studio, Oleh Campus, furnishing of Management Sciences, construction of faculty of science by the Delta State Government, among others.
A cross section of graduating students at the ceremony
He despite these growth, the institution still have some challenges which include lack of facilities, laboratories, workshops, lecture theatres, offices, halls of residence among others.He therefore appealed to the state government to increase funding especially the monthly subvention to enable the University employ needed critical staff in order to shore up its rating in the comity of universities not only in Nigeria but also globally.
Professor Egwunyenga thanked the state government led by Governor Oborevwori for financial assistance to the school over the years just he thanked the Governing Council and Management of the school for, among others, embarking on the construction of the faculty of Management Sciences from the internally generated revenue.
He also thanked principal officers’ members of Senate and other staff and students for believing on the dream of the school. While congratulating the graduands for successful graduation, he urged them to be good ambassadors of the University.
He said:” The education you received here is an round one that places you on a vantage position-a pedestal that is unique, innovation and dynamic so that you will be a big player in the new world of competitiveness “The high point of the ceremony was the award of certificates to the deserving students amidst cheers.