“We Are Managing Poverty,” DELSU VC Tells Prof. Eghagha

By Faith Ebireri

The Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, on Wednesday met with the Chief Consultant to the Delta State Governor on Education, Professor Hope Eghagha, and other student leaders.

The said meeting held at the Senate Building, Site III, Abraka, aimed at assessing the needs of the university and areas of government intervention, brought together all stakeholders and student executives to dialogue with Prof. Eghagha.

Prof. Asagba, who spoke on the finances and aid channeled towards the sector, said: “We are managing poverty.”

The platform gave rise to staff and student excos to contribute meaningfully to possible short-term and long-term plans to make the university self-sustainable and generate income.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Asagba emphasized several areas of concern that the government could address, including abandoned government projects within the school grounds, like the NDDC 3000 capacity hostel, deteriorated building structures, lack of essential facilities, need for office accommodation for the new and expanding faculties, the insufficient lecture halls, and the necessity for a sustainable power supply.

According to Prof. Asagba who spoke on the support the federal government could offer, he said “It is pathetic, the federal government can assist us with solar power, financing such a project will not be easy for the school, as we are saddled with the responsibility of paying millions monthly for the electricity bill running on band A.”

Continuing, he mentioned the Oleh campus, which houses the Faculty of Engineering and Law, emphasizing the appalling infrastructure, electrical challenges, need for perimeter fencing to stop encroachment and better furnishings in lecture halls, stating the implications on the students, the poor facilities and the lack of well-equipped laboratories have.

Prof. Eghagha encouraged contributions on addressing these challenges and ideas to advance the university, in order to create a comprehensive report to be presented to the Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori.

The meeting concluded with commendations from various heads, deans and students.

He also requested a formal documentation in writing through the Vice-Chancellor of recommendations that prove profitable to the university, such as grants and investment in mechanized farming, support from industries, and partnership, such as TETFUND, reconstruction of the DELSU Campus radio for commercialization and training ground for media students and departments that can generate income.

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He expressed particular interest in DELSU, highlighting his passion for education, having served as a Commissioner for Higher Education and is currently the Chief Consultant to the Delta State Government on Education, as well as his experience as an alumnus of Delsu Oleh campus and a lecturer on sabbatical.

The promises birth a renewed hope and more for the Delta State University, staff members and students.

In attendance were the Principal Officers, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Edmund Atakpo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Hillary Owamah, Deans, Directors, Heads of Department and Student Union Government (SUG) Executives inclusive of the President, Amb. Dr. Onovughegor Augustine, the Senate President, Sen. Comr. Ebireri Faith Oghenemarho, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Odokpor Prosper and other members.