Prof. Ufuophu-Biri Bags UPU Youth Excellence Award

The Worldwide Youth Wing of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has honoured the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, with an Excellence Award in recognition of his contributions to education, youth empowerment, and institutional development.

The award was presented during a ceremony held at the Rector’s office in Otefe-Oghara, where youth leaders described the recognition as historic, noting that it was the first time since the establishment of the UPU in 1931 that its youth wing would present an award directly at a recipient’s place of work.

Speaking at the event, the UPU Youth President, Comrade Blessed Ughere, accompanied by other top officials of the organisation, said the honour reflects Prof. Ufuophu-Biri’s long-standing commitment to human capital development and institutional transformation.

He noted that the Rector has remained a strong advocate of youth advancement, tracing his contributions back to his days as Dean of Students at Delta State University, Abraka.

Ughere further commended him for creating employment opportunities and promoting staff development within the polytechnic, disclosing that over 130 youths have been engaged under his administration.

“Prof. Biri has consistently engaged young people and given them platforms to grow,” he said.

The youth wing also described the Rector as the “Ogbarighele of Urhoboland,” in recognition of his role as keynote speaker at the inaugural Global Ighele World Conference.

As part of efforts to strengthen cultural identity and unity among Urhobo youths, the delegation presented the Urhobo Youth Flag to the institution. The flag, recently introduced by the group, is said to symbolise unity and cohesion among Urhobo youths worldwide.

According to the youth leaders, the flag features 24 stars representing the 24 traditional kingdoms of Urhoboland, while its colours reflect key values: green for agricultural prosperity, black in honour of past leaders, yellow for knowledge and enlightenment, and red for strength and resilience.

Responding, Prof. Ufuophu-Biri expressed appreciation for the honour, noting that although he rarely accepts awards, this one was special because of its link to youth development and the Urhobo nation.

“If reincarnation is real, in the next world, I will still be an Urhobo man,” he said to applause.

He called for greater unity among Urhobo people, stressing the need to prioritise collective progress over ethnic and community divisions.

“We must fight as one, not as Udu, Oghara, Agbarho, Agbon or Uvwie. One front,” he said.

He dedicated the award to God, staff and students of the polytechnic, the Oghara Kingdom, and his family.

Prof. Ufuophu-Biri also disclosed that the institution’s administrative building—constructed through internally generated revenue—has been named after Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, whom he credited for making Urhobo people proud through his leadership.

He paid tribute to former Governor Chief James Ibori, describing him as an administrative icon whose tenure contributed significantly to the establishment of the polytechnic and advancement of the 13 per cent derivation principle in the South-South.

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Highlighting the economic potential of Urhobo land, the Rector noted its oil and gas resources, agricultural strength, and human capital as key drivers for development.

Presenting his stewardship report, he said his administration has recorded significant progress in infrastructure, academic expansion, and staff development.

He disclosed that six new multi-storey buildings are currently under construction, while academic programmes have increased from 30 to 53, all of which have received full accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The institution’s annual admission quota, he added, has risen from about 1,800 to over 8,000 students.

He further revealed that more than 30 Chief Lecturers have been promoted under his administration, while nine others are expected to attain the rank soon. In addition, 79 non-teaching staff have been sponsored for postgraduate studies to enhance capacity and productivity.

On energy sustainability, he said the institution is gradually transitioning to renewable energy through the deployment of 50KVA and 75KVA inverter systems across campus, with ongoing research into the development of a fuel-less generator.

Prof. Ufuophu-Biri expressed optimism that the institution would eventually attain university status, insisting it already possesses the academic and infrastructural capacity for the transition.

The event was attended by principal officers and senior staff of the institution, including the Deputy Rector, Dr. Samuel Ogbogu; the Registrar, Efedi Chukwuemeke; the Bursar, Omokaro Sunday; the Polytechnic Librarian, Dr. (Mrs.) Omamomo Akpome Eyaufe; the Secretary of the Oghara Traditional Council and Chairman of the Polytechnic Community Relations Committee, Dr. Chief Frank Emiko; and the President-General of UPU, Oghara Kingdom, Chief Vincent Atumah, among others.