End Of Tenure: Faculty Of Agriculture Congratulates Prof. Andy Egwunyenga

The Faculty of Agriculture has congratulated Prof. Andy Egwunyenga for an outstanding VCship Tenure from December 2019 to November 2024, and as well bade him farewell.

The memorable get-together and barbeque party which was held days before he exited the stage, took place at the VC Lodge.

The event commenced with an opening prayer led by a veteran, Professor Ekelemu.

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As a titled Chief, “Odoziani,” the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andy Ogochukwu Egwuyenga in company of his amiable wife, Professor Mrs Ebele Joyce Egwunyenga, warmly welcomed the Faculty and presented kolanuts in the traditional way. The Faculty reciprocated the gesture in line with tradition.

The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Mrs  Dicta Ogisi summarized the reason for the get together by recalling the parable of The Lord Jesus Christ who healed ten lepers and only one returned to give thanks. Jesus asked where are the other nine? She went further to say that one thing is for sure, Agriculture is not one of the nine ungrateful ones, so we have come to thank the visionary leader and bid the VC farewell.  She mentioned some of the key assistance to the Faculty to include: Settlement of the Faculty when the Faculties was ordered to leave Asaba Campus with nothing, Provision of Professorial well furnished offices for about twenty Professor and Associate Professors, Departmental Offices, Office for the Dean, Offices for all Staff, and provision of critical facilities. Ten Earthen fish ponds, Laboratories, Faculty Library and Lecture Halls / rooms were provided. The VC did so well in the area of Staff welfare, and timely promotion devoid of rancor and battles. All the staff who were due for promotion were promoted. She noted that there opportunities for staff to convert from junior cadre to either Academic or the Registry Cadre depending on their qualifications.

She also mentioned the remarkable transition of a staff member from a casual role to a computer operator and subsequently to a lecturer. Furthermore, she applauded the substantial increase in staff appointments across departments, which has eased the workload and improved the efficiency of knowledge delivery and administrative tasks. The Dean also commended the dramatic rise in student enrollment for agricultural disciplines, an encouraging development for the faculty.

Professor Mrs Dicta Ogisi led the gathering in a song of praise, likening the faculty’s blessings to uncountable good deeds. She encouraged individuals and the public to motivate their wards to study Agriculture because our amiable Vice- Chancellor has reduced the tuition for Students studying Agriculture in Delta State University after due process. Other members of the Faculty present include Prof. Lawrence Bratte, Prof. Moses I. Ojeifo, Prof. Fidelis Emuh, Prof. Jerimoth Ekelemu, Prof. Dickens Dolor, Prof. Peter Emaziye, Prof. Mrs Nelly Ureigho; Associate Professors Smart Ojobo, Christian Obiazi, Theophilus Gbigbi and Oster Nwachi; Drs Solomon Enimu, Chukwunalu Ossai, Felix Oyibo, Prosper Edoja; Ufuoma Sorhue, Ewoma Ogbinaka, Loveth Okuma; Veronica Ikenga, Jerome Unukevwere, Kessiena Ogeh, Patience Emilimor, Doctor of Vetenary Medicine Everest Atadiose;  Mr James Ibikoro, Oghenerukevwe Akpobomeh, Gideon Okogu, Goodluck Amafade,  Ebuka Iloba, Arohoghene Imene, Prosper Umukoro, Emmanuel Ofuani (Admin Officer FAG), Stella Arubayi (FO FAG),  Mr Edwin Olise Egwenu, Agatha Edewor, Ifeoma Emakpor AA FAG, Jeffrey Emudainohwo AA FAG, and Farm Officer Akpodiete.

In an unexpected yet delightful turn of events, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Osodeke, accompanied by the DELSU Chapter Chairman and their team, visited the gathering. Their arrival added a festive and nostalgic atmosphere, particularly as the National President is an esteemed alumnus of the faculty.

In response, the Vice-Chancellor attributed the growth and success of the faculty to the resourcefulness and resilience of its management and staff, urging them to maintain these high standards. He expressed his deep respect for the faculty, noting that it was the first faculty established in the nearly four decades of the university’s existence. He also remarked that this gathering was the first faculty-hosted event at his lodge during his end-of-tenure celebrations.

The Vice-Chancellor took a moment to commend ASUU, emphasizing that many of the university’s benefits, such as salaries, promotions, and allowances, were the result of the union’s unwavering efforts. He then led a solidarity song in honor of ASUU and its members.

Prof. Osodeke addressed the assembly, urging union members to remain united in the face of ongoing challenges, particularly the threat to scrap TETFund, a Nigerian agency that provides infrastructure, funds academic programs, supports teacher education, and champions literacy initiatives.

The DELSU ASUU Chapter Chairman used the opportunity to invite members to the series of events planned to mark the Vice-Chancellor’s end-of-tenure celebrations, which promise to be engaging and insightful.

The event concluded with a closing remark from the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dicta Ogisi, who praised the camaraderie and exemplary leadership of the Vice-Chancellor. She prayed for God’s protection and guidance upon him and his family as he transits to the next phase of his journey.

The evening ended with a variety of refreshments and group photos to commemorate this memorable gathering.

Long live Prof. Andy O. Egwunyenga and the family
Long Live the Faculty of Agriculture
Long Live Delta State University Abraka
Long Live Delta State
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria