100 Days In Office: My Administration Has Restored Staff, Students Confidence In Management— DELSU VC

By Daniel Dafe
The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, has said that staff and students are now free to air their views without fear, adding that his administration has restored their confidence in management.
Speaking exclusively to Oasis Magazine (OM) on achievements during his 100 days in office, Egwunyenga said that his approach to administration is very different and that he has successfully opened up the system to a point where people are very free to come out with their grievances.
He said: “A university should be a place where people can air their views. Alternative thinking is permitted to clash and superior arguments adopted.
It should not be a place where people live in fear. You cannot have innovation and discovery where there is fear and no confidence.
“We have taken the grievances of many to the Governing Council and a committee has been set up for both staff and student. This has built their confidence in the system because they see that they are being heard.”
He added: “During my 100 days in office, I have communicated my vision to the Governing Council, Senate, boards of faculties and every stratum in the university. I have visited all facets of the system and met with both junior and senior staff. I have sold my vision to them and I think they have bought it.
“We have also made all appointments into positions in such a way that a sizeable population in the university is now involved in governance.
“I have inaugurated the Environment Committee and also a Strategic Committee that will plan for the university and as well an Advisory Committee.”
He continued: “On the other side we have tried to look at the area of physical infrastructure and come up with policies that will change the way we think.
“I directed that the front gate of Campus 2 be beautified. It now looks like the front of a university. This has made an impact on the attitude of staff and students because it depicts order and beauty.
“Before I came in, tricycles and motorbikes parked at the front of the gate and everywhere was in a state of chaos. Now we have brought decorum to that gate.”
He disclosed that his administration has attracted a project of over One Billion Naira from TETFUND and in the next three weeks all these projects will be on in the three campuses, adding that some dormant projects have also been reactivated.
He continued: “We have opened up the unions and tried to reconcile ASUU so they can come back on stream. We have also shown the students how unionism should be and even bought a new vehicle for them.
“I think the summary is that we have restored some level of confidence and that we can change narratives.”
According to him, he is also poised to having an organic relationship with the university’s host community.
“I was abroad when I saw a video in circulation of Abraka indigenes dancing and singing my praises because I opened one of the gates that was shut by the last administration. I was shocked because that is little compared to the plans I have for them. Host communities ought to be the first beneficiaries of opportunities of admission and technology. Every university should be involved in academics, teaching, research, administration and community service,” he said.