Ogheneruona Tejiri, Abraka
Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka has been called upon to advance it’s frontiers of researches, teaching and learning to meet the current global realities of the time.
This call was made Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State at the 15th Convocation ceremony of the University in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
The convocation ceremony was for the graduands of the 2021/2022 academic session of the University.
Dr. Okowa who was represented by Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu, Commissioner for Education said that his administration would continue to give the necessary assistance to the Institution.
Dr. Okowa noted that the global market was becoming too competitive, h then urged the management of the University to review it’s curricular in line with the current realities by way of placing emphasis on education al courses that has to do with skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
Accordng to Dr. Okowa, “we understand the importance of education not only in the life of individual but on nation building. Education, no doubt is capital intensive but remains the bedrock for sustainable progress and development in every society.”
The Delta State Governor added, “this is why, in spite of the competitive demand of every sector, we simultaneously set up three other universities, thereby having four universities running in the state.”
Dr. Okowa spoke further, “studies carried out in 2018 revealed that out of 22, 840 Delta indigenes that qualified for university admission, only 4,000 were able to gain admission. Today, the universities are running and bringing education closer to the people.”
He commended the efforts of the Governing Council of DELSU for bringing the University to the level of growth it had attained, he also commended the graduands for their academic successes.
The governor assured that the state government would continue to remain committed to the regular payment of staff salaries, release of subvention and provision of infrastructure within the limit of the available resources.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga said that the total graduands were 4,855 in the 2021/2022 academic session.
He added that it comprised, academic certificates, diplomas and degrees.
Prof. Egwunyenga said that the University had consistently kept faith with it’s mandate of quality graduates who would contribute to nation building and advance the cause of humanity globally.
The Vice Chancellor said, “the quality and quantity of graduates produced by our university over the years attest to our capacity to live up to the vision of our founding fathers. I do congratulate all of us, staff and students on the successes we have recorded in approximating the ideas upon which our University is founded.”
The Vice Chancellor disclosed that the University is currently understaffed, adding that infrastructural deficit among others are major challenges in the University.
While expressing his appreciation to the Delta State Government for it’s magnanimous funding of the Institution, Prof. Egwunyenga appealed for improved funding to enable the University address some it’s challenges.
Prof. Egwunyenga added, “the University is in dire need of more accommodation for students and staff. The movement of the Faculties of Agriculture and Management Sciences to Abraka necessitated the construction of new hall of residence for students and blocks of flats for staff.”
He highlighted some of the University achievement in recent time to include: construction of Faculty of Management Sciences complex, procurement of 1000KVA and it’s accessories.
Renovation of Institute of Education, critical repair of NDDC hostel, renovation of convocation hall, renovation of postgraduate hostel, reticulation of new project electrically and among others.
Prof. Egwunyenga appealed to philanthropists, stakeholders and alumni of the Institution to support the efforts of the state government in funding the University.
He congratulated the graduands and urged them to be worthy ambassador of the Institution and be vanguard of the New World Order.
In his remark Prof. Sam Oyovbiar Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University urged the state government to commit more resources into the University.
He said that the funding should cove aspects of research, scholarship, technology, seminars, library and information science, and regular intellectual workshops.
Accordng to Prof. Oyovbaire, “the University is a unique academic institution with special mandate. I enjoined all our stakeholders to be committed to the above areas in the University through funding to allow for academic rebirth and sustenance of novel ideas for which University is known.”
The best graduating student, Mr Obuseh Ewere who spoke on behalf of the graduands appealed to the state government to assist the First class graduands with employment in the University or scholarships.
Mr. Ewere appreciated God and management of the Institution and urged the younger students to take studies very seriously noting that with God all things were possible.
Mr. Ewere had 4.91 CGPA in Electrical/Electronics Engineering while 58 persons had First class honours.
The breakdown of the graduands were: postgraduate degree (596), First degrees (3843) and Diploma (416).
