L-R : Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (2nd), VC- DELSU , Prof. Samuel Asagba(3rd) & others at DELSU 17th Convocation ceremony on Saturday
By Cynthia Eruotor
The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori said the state government is proud of the strides Delta State University Abraka has made in the areas of research, staff welfare and infrastructural development to enhance teaching and learning and hence the state government would double its efforts to complement the efforts of the institution to continuously support teaching and learning to achieve excellence in this regard.
Governor Oborevwori gave this hint on Saturday at the 17th Convocation ceremony of the Delta State University Abraka. According to him, Delta State University Abraka has continued to excel in its stated mission by providing quality education to the citizens, saying, this is evident in its improved ranking among Universities. His words:” DELSU has continued to excel in its stated mission to provide quality education to our citizens.. The University is committed to academic excellence, innovation and leadership development and this is evident in its improved ranking among Nigerian institutions especially state owned Universities“.
According to him, against this background, the state government would continue to tackle the issue of insufficient funds for the institution to embark on projects since there is increasingly needs for infrastructural development in the school just as he seeks the support of stakeholders to help in this regard. His words:” With the increasing needs for infrastructural development in the University, there is need for stakeholders. The truth is that, public/private partnership will help…”
While expressing gratitude to the past and present Governing Councils of the institution, he also thanked the management, academic and non academic staff and alumni for their contributions making the University, the institution of choice in many respects. According to him, he specially commended the present Governing Council led by General Alexander Ogomudia (Rtd) and the present Vice Chancellor, Prof Samuel O.Asagba for their efforts so far which has made the University grow to the present level.
His words:” l want to specially commend the current Governing Council led by our amenable leader, General Alexander Ogomudia (Rtd) and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Samuel Asagba for their dedication, unwavering commitment..” While congratulating the graduands to have successfully completed their studies, he charged them to continue to study and go higher and be good ambassadors of the institution. He charged them to use the knowledge they have acquired to better their lots, their community, state and the country at large.
His words:” You must see yourself as agent of change, you must use the knowledge, skills and understanding to create opportunity for growth and development not just for yourself but your community, the state and the nation at large”.
Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University Abraka, Prof. Samuel O. Asagba said the institution has made some indelible marks in the comity of Universities in the country as the graduates from the school have proven themselves good in their various fields of studies.
According to him, in the quest for the institution to maintain the academic glory and enhance the integrity of the academic programmes and certificates, the Senate and Management are committed to upholding to the integrity of the school in areas of social vices, and malfeasance as they are formally handled.
Prof. Asagba said with this principle, he has achieved a lot to move the school to the next level. He said, among other things, the institution has constructed, through the state government, Fire Service building at site 3, while with the Internally Generated Revenue, the institution is proud to have constructed a road from Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to Faculty of Arts, site 3, which has been commissioned; the construction of faculty of agriculture, site 3, which its ground breaking ceremony has been performed by the state Governor.
According to him, apart from the construction of projects, the institution, by way of fostering a good working relationship between the management of the institution and staff, deserving and qualified staff are promoted as at when due just as he said, they are also made to attend workshops and conferences both locally and internationally. According to him, staff are also given refurbishing car loans- which the state government initiated in 2007.
Prof Asagba also hinted that on students’ welfare, the management is committed as, there is an outstanding students/work-study scheme for indigents students, provision of hostel accommodations for students, including post graduates students. According to him, through the efforts of the management of the school, out of 35 programmes presented for accreditations to National Universities Commission (NUC) in November 2024, the school obtained 100%.
He said, there is also the Faculty of Dentistry and Communication and Media Studies added to the list of faculties to bring the total to fourteen.
Prof Asagba said despite the progress the institution has made, the University still contends with some challenges which include inadequate staff and lack of funds which would help high productivity and therefore appealed to all stakeholders to rise to challenges of the world – class University education in these two areas.
The Vice Chancellor said, the institution has keyed into More Agenda of the state government as it would help to foster, promote and accelerate the attainment of the objective of quality teaching, learning, research, innovation and public service by placing emphasis on entrepreneurship education and skills acquisition through the institution’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies. According to him, the school therefore appeals that there should be increase in funding, speedy completion of all ongoing projects in the school especially the imposing Administrative Building in site 3, give approval for the employment of much needed of academic and non academic staff, among others.
The VC expressed gratitude to the Governor of the state, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for all the support he has given to the school just as he thanked him( Governor) to have quickly approved and announced his appointment as the Vice Chancellor on 23rd October, 2024. He said, this appointment has given him the opportunity to contribute his quota towards the growth and development to tertiary education in the state. He equally thanked all the graduands to have successfully completed their studies and wished them well.