UPU Youthwing President Praises DELSU VC Over Opening Of Campus 2 Small Gate

By Daniel Dafe
The President, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Youthwing, Worldwide, Comrade Efemena Kelly Umukoro, has commended the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, over the reopening of the school’s gate (popularly called Campus 2 Small Gate) used by traders in the market close to Site II of the university.
Comrade Umukoro who spoke to Oasis Magazine (OM) during an exclusive chat added: “By this singular act, the new VC has shown that he loves Urhobo people.”
He recalled how he led a delegation to the immediate past VC, Professor Victor Peretomode, to open the gate after he shut out Abraka community, especially the traders in the small market close to the said campus.
According to him, when Peretomode locked the gate and gave the contract of fencing the community from the school to an indigene of the community, Chief David Emaniru, which is another means of Indirect rule system, as the Secretary of UPU Youthwing Worldwide, I led a delegation of Urhobo youths to appeal to him to open the gate. Umukoro opined that Peretomode’s hatred for Urhobo people did not make him listen, as the contractor also felt that nothing was wrong in witch-hunting his people.
He said: “So many persons got involved in the issue and as respectful youths, we took the side of peace knowing full well that power is transient and Prof. Peretomode and Chief Emaniru would not be there forever.
“Now the new VC, Egwunyenga, has opened the gate and thus put into consideration the plight of our mothers who their economic lives are based on farming and trading.”
“Today, God has brought a light to rescue the university,” he averred.
He added: “The UPU youth body under my leadership will support the VC’s projects and give him all the necessary support he needs from us to succeed.
“Egwunyenga is a man that loves Urhobo people and believes in peace and equity. He is a professor of repute and a leader. We are supporting him with all that we have.”
He thanked the VC for taking his time to correct all administrative error of the previous VC in Abraka, noting that “this approach will further reinvigorate the bond between the host community and the DELSU.”
Speaking further, he urged Egwunyenga to be wary of wicked minded people and be courteous of sycophants.
“He should be careful with them and analyse information he receives before acting on them,” he stressed.
Furthermore, he commended the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, for giving DELSU a VC who understands the rudiments of an academic setting and appointing a blessing not only to Abraka people but Urhobo nation.”
He continued: “I want to personally thank Governor Okowa for choosing a VC that is out to deliver the university from the cage of witch-hunting, oppression, abuse of fundamental human rights, abuse of powers, neglecting of infrastructures in the school and employment of security companies with questionable character which led to the death of Elozino Ogege a 300level start of the institution.
He described the appointment of the New VC as a round peg in a round hole.