Prof Patrick Muoboghare(Representative of the Chief Book Presenter and Iyesere of Oyede Kingdom, High Chief Enahoro Eta (MIDDLE), Pro Chancellor and Chairman of DELSU Governing Council, Gen.Alexander Ogomudia(Rtd) LEFT, VC-DELSU,Prof.Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga RIGHT the public presentation of the book:”Justice is for All: Legal Essays in Honour of Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga” in Oleh on Monday
By Cynthia Eruotor
The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, has called on institutions of learning in Nigeria to promote national development through training their students to become champions of justice, inclusiveness and accountability. The Vice Chancellor made this call in Oleh Campus on Monday while responding to the public presentation of the book: “Justice is for All: Legal Essays in Honour of Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga”.
According to press statement signed by by Patrick Ijeh Deputy Director of Ceremonials, Information and Public Relations, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Egwunyenga pointed out that peace and prosperity are accelerated in the society when leaders carry everyone along on the basis of justice and accountability. He therefore advocated that universities and other institutions of learning should establish a culture of justice, inclusiveness and accountability so as to groom future leaders to stand against injustice, segregation and irresponsibility in the interest of all.
The Vice Chancellor however cautioned that being a champion of justice does not require arrogance as one can pursue justice and remain humble and polite. He thanked the forty authors who contributed scholarly articles to the book, the organisers of the public presentation and all guests for honouring him. He noted that his achievements in office as Vice Chancellor being celebrated by the book in his honour are products of the collective efforts of the Governing Council, principal officers, staff and students of the university as well as his family and thanked them all for their support.
While declaring the ceremony open, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the University, Gen Alexander Ogomudia (Rtd), thanked the organisers of the event for recognising and celebrating good service as a way to encourage other public officers to pursue justice in the discharge of their duties. The Pro Chancellor pointed out that the Prof Egwunyenga’s tenure as Vice Chancellor paid commendable attention to the welfare of staff and students of the university and demonstrated impressive management of human and material resources worthy of emulation.
In a welcome address, the Chief Host of the public presentation and Provost of Oleh Campus of the university, Prof. Elo Ibagere, said the book in honour of Prof Egwunyenga is in recognition of his leadership style as Chief Executive of the university premised on the principles of non-discriminatory justice and inclusiveness, which has significantly enhanced the welfare of staff and students, developed infrastructure and improved teaching and research in the university, especially in Oleh Campus. He thanked Prof Egwunyenga for approving the conversion of ad-hoc workers in the Oleh Campus and the university in general to tenure staff, describing it as a gesture that has impacted positively on the families of the affected workers.
In her address at the ceremony, the Host and Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University, who also edited the book, Prof (Mrs) Beauty Alloh, said the Faculty decided to write the book in order to document the legacies of Prof Egwunyenga from legal perspectives. She pointed out that the Faculty of Law is convinced that the Vice Chancellor dispensed justice properly throughout his tenure because there was no trace of bias or prejudice in his actions and decisions.
The book reviewer, Prof Festus Emiri (SAN), informed the gathering that the book:“Justice is for All: Legal Essays in Honour of Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga” contained six hundred and sixty-one pages divided into twenty-seven chapters authored by forty scholars of law. He pointed out that the book shows evidence that all hope is not lost for the unbiased dispensation of justice in Nigeria by documenting the efforts of Prof Egwunyenga to pursue justice in all facets of his administration as Vice Chancellor of Delta State University from 2019 to 2024. Prof Emiri noted significant highlights in the book to include Prof. Egwunyenga’s leadership style shaped by culture of diversity, inclusiveness, accountability, camaraderie and unionism, especially in the right of workers to go on strike.
From Right to Left) Prof. Patrick Muoboghare (Representative of the Book Presenter and Iyesere of Oyede Kingdom, High Chief Enahoro Eta),Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council , Gen.Alexader Ogomudia (Rtd), Book Presenter and Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri and Senator Representing Delta South in the National Assembly, Senator Joel-Onowakpor Thomas Unveiling the book:”Justice is for All Legal Essays in Honour of Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga in Oleh on Monday
The Special Guest of Honour and Senator Representing Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Joel-Onowakpor Thomas, said he is happy to identify with Prof Egwunyenga because of his personal conviction that he has done well as Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, from 2019 to 2024. The federal law maker pointed out that the only way to guarantee peace and prosperity in the world is to pursue justice, inclusiveness and accountability for which Prof Egwunyenga is being celebrated and urged all leaders to emulate him.
The highpoint was the public presenting of the book by the duo of the Chief Presenter and Iyesere of Oyede Kingdom, High Chief Enahoro Eta, who was represented by the former Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, and the Presenter and Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Prof Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri.