DELSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, constituting the Assembly and declaring Open the 114th in the Series of Inaugural Lectures of the University.
By Ese Umukoro,
Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, has decried the indiscriminate use of earth’s underground resources saying, it has led to the destruction of the underground environment with its consequential disaster to man.
Professor Asagba made this remark at the 114th in the series of inaugural lectures of the University which took place on Thursday, 30th October, 2025 at the 750 Lecture Theatre A, Site III. He further lamented that the haphazard drilling or tapping of earth’s underground resources without conscious efforts to protect the underground environment has led to dire consequences such as pollution and global warming which is ravaging the entire world. Professor Asagba advised that man must make conscious efforts to protect the environment to avoid the end of human existence on planet earth.
The inaugural lecturer and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of DELSU, Professor Edmund Atakpo, delivering the 114th Inaugural Lecture of the University.
Speaking earlier, the inaugural lecturer and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University, Professor Edmund Aviedo Atakpo, highlighted the resources embedded in earth’s underground which according to him, are soil, minerals and ground water systems which the ecosystem, agriculture and human settlements depend on for survival. Professor Atakpo however bewailed that these resources are being threatened by pollution from hydrocarbons, industrial effluents, mining wastes and agricultural chemicals among others, which occur daily. He stated that conscious efforts must be made to protect the underground environment by adopting an integrated and multidisciplinary approach that combine prevention, monitoring, remediation and strict regulatory enforcement.
Professor Atakpo recommended policy and regulation, prevention and control of hydrocarbon pollution, management of industrial effluents and waste, control of agricultural pollution, safe disposal of mining and solid waste as ways to protect earth’s underground resources. Other recommendations were groundwater protection and monitoring, remediation and restoration techniques, public awareness and environmental education. Other highlights of the 114th inaugural lecture were the decoration of the inaugural lecturer, Professor Edmund Aviedo Atakpo with the prestigious medal of inaugural lecturers of the University by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, special musical rendition by the Department of Music, photo sessions of the inaugural lecturer with principal officers of the university as well as with family and friends.
The 114th Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Edmund Atakpo, being decorated with the Distinguished Medal of DELSU Inaugural Lecturers by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, wife of DELSU Vice Chancellor, Dame (Mrs) Elizabeth Olabimpe Asagba, Vice Chancellor of Mountain Top University, Professor Elijah Ayolabi, Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba who was ably represented, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Hilary Ijeoma Owamah and Provost of Oleh Campus, Professor Elo Ibagere.
Others were Registrar of the University, Mrs Rufina Ufiofio, the University Bursar, Mrs Otimeyin Ekakitie-Omajuwa who was represented by Mr Joel Ojigbo-Ijatomi, the University Librarian, Dr Josephine Eruterio Onohwakpor, Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, Rector of Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Professor James Okoro, Librarian of Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Dr (Chief) Edwin Achugbue, Chief Strategist to the Governor of Delta State, Dr Festus Ochonogor, Chairman of DELSU College of Chaplains, Reverend Father (Dr) James Urien, members of the clergy, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Professors, staff and students of the university. Also in attendance were former Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Emeritus Professor Eric Arubayi and his wife, Professor (Mrs) Diana Arubayi, friends and family members of the inaugural lecturer including his wife, Dr (Mrs) Theresa Atakpo.
Dr Ese Umukoro,Deputy Director, DCIPR, DELSU