By Francis Sadhere, Warri
A Delta-born Ijaw leader and activist, Chief Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has appealed to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to consider appointing an Ijaw indigene as the next Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba.
Chief Mulade said the call was necessitated by what he described as the persistent lack of Ijaw representation in the leadership of state-owned universities, particularly at the level of Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers, despite the significant contributions of the Ijaw people to the establishment of such institutions.
According to him, no Ijaw person has so far held the position of Vice-Chancellor or occupied key principal offices in the state’s newly established universities. He stressed that the Ijaw ethnic nationality has several highly qualified professors with proven academic excellence, administrative competence and professional integrity who are capable of effectively leading the university.
The Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom noted that Ijaw stakeholders were actively involved in the processes that led to the establishment of state universities, including contributions to the development of Southern Delta University. He expressed concern that, despite these efforts, the Ijaw people continue to feel marginalised in the allocation of leadership positions within the state’s educational system.
“Ijaw members were part of the Management Council that facilitated the establishment of these universities and contributed immensely to their growth. Today, the Ijaw community has several qualified candidates—professors with experience, some of whom have served the Delta State Government—with impeccable academic and administrative records,” he said.
Chief Mulade further stated that appointing an Ijaw Vice-Chancellor at Dennis Osadebay University would help address perceived neglect and foster a greater sense of inclusion and belonging among the Ijaw people in Delta State.
He added, “It is imperative to call on our dynamic governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to give the Ijaw people a sense of belonging. The Ijaw nation has been deprived of hosting any state university despite its enormous economic contribution to the state. The appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from Ijaw extraction would promote fairness, representation and inclusivity in university leadership.”
Describing the appeal as “the people’s voice,” the Ijaw leader expressed confidence that Governor Oborevwori would consider the call in the spirit of equity and unity as his administration continues to pursue inclusive governance across the state.
A Delta-born Ijaw leader and activist, Chief Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has appealed to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to consider appointing an Ijaw indigene as the next Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba.
Chief Mulade said the call was necessitated by what he described as the persistent lack of Ijaw representation in the leadership of state-owned universities, particularly at the level of Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers, despite the significant contributions of the Ijaw people to the establishment of such institutions.
According to him, no Ijaw person has so far held the position of Vice-Chancellor or occupied key principal offices in the state’s newly established universities. He stressed that the Ijaw ethnic nationality has several highly qualified professors with proven academic excellence, administrative competence and professional integrity who are capable of effectively leading the university.
The Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom noted that Ijaw stakeholders were actively involved in the processes that led to the establishment of state universities, including contributions to the development of Southern Delta University. He expressed concern that, despite these efforts, the Ijaw people continue to feel marginalised in the allocation of leadership positions within the state’s educational system.
“Ijaw members were part of the Management Council that facilitated the establishment of these universities and contributed immensely to their growth. Today, the Ijaw community has several qualified candidates—professors with experience, some of whom have served the Delta State Government—with impeccable academic and administrative records,” he said.
Chief Mulade further stated that appointing an Ijaw Vice-Chancellor at Dennis Osadebay University would help address perceived neglect and foster a greater sense of inclusion and belonging among the Ijaw people in Delta State.
He added, “It is imperative to call on our dynamic governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to give the Ijaw people a sense of belonging. The Ijaw nation has been deprived of hosting any state university despite its enormous economic contribution to the state. The appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from Ijaw extraction would promote fairness, representation and inclusivity in university leadership.”
Describing the appeal as “the people’s voice,” the Ijaw leader expressed confidence that Governor Oborevwori would consider the call in the spirit of equity and unity as his administration continues to pursue inclusive governance across the state.
