174 Bag First Class, As DELSU Graduates 12,920

By Daniel Dafe

174 out of the twelve thousand, nine hundred and twenty (12, 920) graduating students of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, have bagged First Class degrees on completion of their studies.

Disclosing this in his maiden convocation address on Saturday, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, added that the ceremony was a combination of three sets of graduands for 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 Academic Sessions.

This, he said was a result of the “disruptive essence of the COVID-19 pandemic which subverted the usual tradition of annual convocation ceremonies,” adding that “this convocation is unique as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of the founding of the university.”

Giving a breakdown of those offered academic certificates, diplomas and degrees, Egwunyenga said Postgraduate Degrees, First Degrees and Diplomas for the 2018/2019 Session was 4465; that of 2019/2020 Session 4998, while 2020/2021 Session had 3457.

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Continuing, Egwunyenga said: “Our University has consistently kept faith with its mandate of producing quality graduates who will contribute to nation building and advance the cause of humanity globally. The quantity and quality of graduates produced by our university over the years attest to the capacity to live up to the vision of our founding fathers.”

He noted that despite the giant strides achieved by DELSU, there is still a lot of work to be done.

On his part, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, while commending Professor Egwunyenga for his skills and integrity in the administration and management of the university, said that the institution has witnessed “appreciable result of academic and administrative stability” under his leadership.

He also commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his unending support to the institution by the “consistent payment of staff salary, provision of notable infrastructure and approval of the engagement of certain key staff in some critical areas of the university.”

Meanwhile, Governor Okowa has assured the institution of his government’s continuous support to the citadel of learning.

Governor Okowa, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Festus Agas, also appreciated the Abraka people for making land available for the university to be built and creating a friendly atmosphere for DELSU to thrive.

He said that his administration is proud of the giant strides achieved by the institution within the space of 30 years in the areas of learning, research and teaching.

According to him, the present Governing Council has done well by making sure that due process is followed in every decision taken.

Speaking further, he urged graduands to be good ambassadors of the university, saying that DELSU graduates are known for standing out wherever they are.

Earlier in the day, a number of landmark projects were commissioned which included Faculty of Pharmacy Complex, Access Link Roads to Faculty of Pharmacy, Animal House and Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts Complex, Department of Nursing Science Extension, Educational Technology Building and laying Foundation Stone of the Faculty of Management Sciences Complex.

Highlight of the occasion was the investiture of Professor Emeritus on a former Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Eric Arubayi and Sam Ukala (posthumously) as well as the conferment of honourary degrees on HRM Justice Francis Fedode Tabai and Chief Jim James Ovia, CON.

Present at the 14th Convocation of the institution were former Governors James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Other dignitaries present included notable traditional rulers in and beyond Delta Central Senatorial district as well several heads of tertiary institutions from different parts of Nigeria.