Oborevwori Orders Revocation of Abandoned DELSU Senate Building Project, Celebrates Academic Excellence at 17th Convocation

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has directed the immediate initiation of revocation proceedings on the long-abandoned Senate Building project at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

The Governor issued the directive during his remarks at the university’s 17th Convocation Ceremony, stating that the project, which has been left incomplete for over two decades, would be re-awarded to a more capable contractor to ensure its prompt completion.  
 
Governor Oborevwori’s action followed an appeal by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Asagba, who urged the state government to intervene and complete the critical infrastructure. In response, the Governor tasked the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerowho Tonukari, with overseeing the revocation and re-award process.

In line with DELSU’s tradition of celebrating academic excellence, Governor Oborevwori also announced the approval of automatic employment for the overall best graduating student, Okwa Favour Oghenemine, a Mathematics graduate who achieved an extraordinary CGPA of 4.95.

Congratulating the graduating students, the Governor praised them for being found worthy in character and learning, urging them to uphold the university’s values in their future pursuits. He also commended the Governing Council and management of DELSU for the significant growth and infrastructural strides achieved over the years.

Before the ceremony, Governor Oborevwori inaugurated a newly constructed 1-kilometre road linking the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to the Faculty of Arts, applauding the university’s leadership for their commitment to development within the institution.

Speaking at the event, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, General Alexander Ogomudia (rtd.), expressed appreciation to the Governor for his consistent support. He further appealed to donor agencies and philanthropic individuals to assist in enhancing DELSU’s infrastructure.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Samuel Asagba, in his address, announced that 6,401 students graduated during the 2023/2024 academic session. Among them were 830 postgraduate degree recipients, including 154 Doctor of Philosophy holders, 438 Masters degree graduates, and 238 Postgraduate Diploma awardees.

Highlighting recent achievements, Asagba revealed that DELSU had attained full accreditation for all its programs and was recently ranked 20th out of over 300 Nigerian universities and 3rd among state-owned institutions, according to the global SciVal ranking tool of Elsevier.

The convocation ceremony also witnessed the conferment of honorary degrees on distinguished personalities, including entrepreneur and philanthropist Chief Broderick Uvieoghene Arigbodi (Doctor of Science), renowned literary scholar Professor Tanure Ojaide (Doctor of Letters), and industrialist High Chief Eta Enahoro (Honorary Doctor of Business Administration).

Delivering the valedictory speech, Okwa Favour Oghenemine expressed gratitude to God, the university leadership, and the Students' Work and Scholarship Schemes for supporting indigent students and sustaining academic excellence.

The occasion was graced by traditional rulers, government officials, corporate sponsors, and other distinguished guests who honoured the graduates and celebrated the university’s continued progress.

The 17th Convocation Ceremony marks yet another landmark achievement in DELSU’s journey towards greater heights.