The 123rd Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Florence Ngozi Ugoji(M), with DELSU Principal Officers in a group photograph, during the Inaugural Lecture.
By Ese Umukoro,
Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, has charged parents to supervise their adolescent children in order to help them successfully navigate that stage of their lives.
Professor Asagba, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Edmund Aviedo Atakpo, gave the charge during the University’s 123rd inaugural lecture delivered by Professor Florence Ngozi Ugoji, recently at the 750 Lecture Theatre A, Site III of the University. He also commended the inaugural lecturer for her excellent delivery of the inaugural lecture which called on all stakeholders get involved in the development of adolescent minds. Professor Asagba in conclusion stated that the lecture was a call on all staff of the University, particularly lecturers to help in shaping the adolescent minds who are the majority of the University’s students.
Earlier in her lecture titled: The Adolescent Mind Under Siege: Unmasking the Roots and Rise of Social Vices to Reclaim the University Space, Professor Florence Ngozi Ugoji opined that universities are centres of knowledge that nurture young minds, shape values, and prepare future leaders. However, university campuses today are witnessing negative behaviours once considered rare such as cybercrime, substance abuse, academic dishonesty, risky sexual behaviours and other forms of misconduct.
The Professor of Counselling and Adolescent Psychology further argued that adolescents today are under intense pressure of family instability, peer influence, social media exposure, and economic uncertainties. And that the purpose of her lecture was to understand the psychological and social forces that drive such behaviours in adolescents, rather than condemning the adolescent minds.
Professor Ugoji, stated that adolescent minds are also faced with pressures of identity formation, academic expectations, social relationships, and an emerging independence. The above pressures shape their behaviours which in turn affect both their individual personalities and the wider university community. These pressures have resulted in cybercrime, as the Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukayode in 2026 lamented that over 60% of Nigerian universities’ students are into cybercrime.
According to her, other effects are cultism and violence, ritual practices, kidnapping, substance abuse, risky sexual behaviours that can lead to negative health outcomes, living under constant pressure, depression, struggle to define oneself, among others. She then contended that to reclaim the university space and turn adolescent minds into positivity, all stakeholders including parents, lecturers, administrators, policy makers, religious institutions, and even students must work in synergy. Professor Ugoji concluded by stressing that reclaiming the university space was not a theoretical idea. Rather, it was practicable and necessary. The challenges and the solutions were both real and what was required was commitment, coordination and consistency.
Other highlights of the 123rd inaugural lecture were decoration of the inaugural lecturer, Professor Florence Ngozi Ugoji, with the prestigious medal of Inaugural Lecturers of DELSU by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, who was represented by the Deputy Vice chancellor (Administration), Professor Edmund Aviedo Atakpo, special musical renditions, photo sessions of the inaugural lecturer with principal officers of the university as well as with family and friends, a cocktail reception hosted by the Vice Chancellor in honour of the inaugural lecturer, as well as special reception organised by the inaugural lecture for his invited guests within and outside the university.
Professor Florence Ngozi Ugoji, delivering DELSU’s 123rd Inaugural Lecture.
Dignitaries present at the 123rd inaugural lecture included Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Edmund Aviedo Atakpo, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Hilary Owamah, Provost of Oleh Campus, Professor Augustine Atonuje, DELSU Registrar, Mrs Rufina Ufiofio, represented by Senior Deputy Registrar, Mr Emmanuel Okoro, DELSU Bursar, Mrs Otimeyin Ekakitie-Omajuwa, DELSU Librarian, Dr (Mrs) Josephine Eruterio Onohwakpor, Provosts, Deans, Directors, staff and students of the university.
Also in attendance were the Rector, Delta State Marine Polytechnic, Burutu, Professor Emmanuel Okoro, wife of the Vice Chancellor, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Professor (Mrs) Ufuoma Awhefeada, immediate past Chairman of Dennis Osadebay University Governing Council, Professor Robert Ikomi, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ochuko Anomoharan, members of DELSU College of Chaplains, friends and family members of the inaugural lecturer.
Dr Ese Umukoro,Deputy Director, CIPR, DELSU.