Prof. Peretomode Delivers DELSU’s 12th Valedictory Lecture, As Vice Chancellor Hails His Achievements As Former VC

By Ese Umukoro

Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, has lauded Professor Victor Finipaya Peretomode, for his achievements as former Vice Chancellor of the University. Professor Asagba made this commendation at the University’s 12th valedictory lecture delivered by Professor Victor Finipaya Peretomode, on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at the 750 Lecture Theatre A, Site III of the University.

The Valedictorian, Professor Victor Finipaya Peretomode, and DELSU Principal Officers in a group photograph.

He also applauded the policies of the former Vice Chancellor which have put the University in its present glorious state.

DELSU Vice Chancellor argued that Professor Peretomode’s policies considered then as hard and harsh, have today made DELSU an enviable higher institution, just as he wished the valedictory lecturer the best in his future endeavours.

Earlier in his lecture titled: DELSU and the Burden of Expectation: The Challenges of Being Delta State’s Premier University and Rethinking Governance for Sustainable Excellence, Professor Victor Finipaya Peretomode argued that DELSU being the first university owned by the Delta State Government has triple burdens which are aspirational burden, political burden and operational burden.

These encumbrances, he noted translate into expectations such as bringing university education closer to Deltans, the need to accommodate the growing number of qualified Deltans who would have otherwise be unable to secure university admission elsewhere, providing platform for advancing state-specific developmental priorities, producing graduates who are morally sound and highly employable, as well as complying with Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for undergraduate programmes, among others.

The Professor of Educational Administration and Higher Education therefore proposed a model called ‘The Peretomode Tripartite Model of Governance for Sustainable Excellence in Delta State University.

The model is anchored on three pillars of Leadership Integrity, Funding Predictability and Quality Assurance as a way for DELSU to successfully shoulder the burden of expectation of sustainable excellence as Delta State’s premier university.

The former DELSU Vice Chancellor while concluding stated that DELSU as a university has come far but its journey is far from complete, saying that the burden of expectations it carries is not a weight to be feared, but a responsibility to be fulfilled.

Also speaking, Delta State Governor and Visitor to DELSU, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, spoke glowingly about the valedictorian describing him as an academic who has contributed to the development of university education in the state.

Represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education in Delta State, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari, Governor Oborevwori informed Professor Peretomode that his wealth of experience would still be needed as he bows out of the services of DELSU.

The Delta State Governor also promised continued support to DELSU as its Visitor.

Other highlights of the valedictory lecture were the launching of two books written by the valedictorian, special musical rendition by Music Department, special cocktail reception in honour of the valedictorian, among others.

Professor Peretomode joined the services of DELSU in 1992 as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Management and Foundations and became a professor in 1996. He was DELSU’s 77th Substantive Vice Chancellor from 2014 to 2019.

Dignitaries present at the 12th valedictory lecture included Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba; Vice Chancellor of University of Delta, Agbor, Professor Eric Chiedu Eboh, Vice Chancellor of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Professor Sunny Awhefeada, DELSU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Edmund Atakpo, DELSU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Hilary Owamah, DELSU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Douglasson Omotor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Delta, Agbor, Professor Patrick Ijeh, Provost of Oleh Campus, Professor Augustine Atonuje, DELSU Registrar, Mrs Rufina Ufiofio, DELSU Bursar, Mrs Otimeyin Ekakitie-Omajuwa, DELSU Librarian, Dr Josephine Eruterio Onohwakpor, Provosts, Deans, Directors, staff and students of the university.

Also in attendance were the Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, Rector, Delta State Marine Polytechnic, Burutu, Professor Emmanuel Okoro, Delta business tycoon, Chief Tunde Smooth, Executive Director of Project, DESOPADEC, Chief (Dr) Ebenezer Okorodudu, former DELSU Governing Council Chairman, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, former Dennis Osadebey University Governing Council Chairman, Professor Robert Ikomi, members of DELSU College of Chaplains, friends and family members of the valedictory lecturer including his wife, Dr (Mrs) Otaroghene Peretomode.