By Samuel Ogude & Patricia Major
It was fun-fair at the College of Education Warri, Delta State today, Friday, as the institution organized gala ceremony as part of activities lined up in preparation for the 20th Convocation of the College taking place on Saturday, 13th May, 2023 in the College’s premises.
Speaking at the occasion, the Provost of the College, Warri, Dr. Dickson Oyovwi expressed gratitude for the College to be able to organize 20th Convocation ceremony after almost a decade saying, the world should join him to celebrate twelve sets of young men and women that would build the nation just he expressed thanks to God for it this come to reality.
The Provost praised the efforts of the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his efforts in ensuring that, the institution runs smoothly by making sure salaries of workers are paid regularly where other counterpart states owe their workers’ salary.
The Provost who joy was written on face, used the medium to appeal for more assistance especially on the abandoned administrative building started by DESOPADEC adding, with the good working relationships of Governor Okowa’s with the incoming government of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, he believes, something can be done to salvage this challenge.
He said:” We appreciate you Sir, our amiable and outgoing Governor. The College want to appeal for a parting gift from you. We know that due to your very tight schedule, you might not be attending our Convocation ceremony in person to see first hand the state of our administrative building started by DESOPADEC almost ten years ago and we know sir, ordained working relationship you have with the incoming Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori .. we plead you speak from Asaba concerning the administrative building and it shall be completed”.
He also thanked the Chairman Governing Council of the school, Chief V.O.T Abanum for his efforts in ensuring that the school experiences speedy growth and development just as he thanked Prof. Mary O. Edema and the Unions of the College namely, COEASU,SUCCOEN and NASU.
The Provost also thanked the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Atuwatse III to have sponsored students of Local Language(Itsekiri) by employing two teachers on Palace’ payroll to teach Itsekiri in the Demonstration Secondary School. He said:”With the autonomy granted Tertiary Institution by the state government, came the need for Course Regionalization. Some unviable Departments had to go and the Local Languages were hit the most. In fact, only one survived (Itsekiri Department) courtesy of Olu of Warri..who on annual basis sponsored students willing to study the language..”
The Provost also thanked Urhobo Progress Union America led by Dr(Mrs) Onome Dema and Professor(Mrs ) Rose Aziza who helped and mobilized N2,000,000 to the College Account with the promise of a N 100,000,000 Endowment Fund for the Department which made the Department to be reopened. He therefore appealed to other ethnic nationalities to emulate these gestures to help in this regard.
The highpoint of the occasion was the delivery of lecture titled:” College of Education in Nigeria: The Way Forward by Professor Roseline Oro Aziza who is the Professor of Linguistics, Delsu, Abraka, cultural dances and the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians among whom is High Chief Government Ekpemupolo(Tompolo) which was received on his behalf by his Media Advisor, Paul Bebenimibo, among others.