UNIDEL FOUNDER'S DAY: DELTANS LAUD GOV. OKOWA'S ACHIEVEMENTS

University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor on Saturday, 20th May,2023, played host to prominent Nigerians who came to join in the celebration of its Maiden Founder's Day. In his Address at the occasion, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Emeritus Prof. Emmanuel Nwanze eulogized the Governor of Delta State, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa for his numerous and elegant achievements which were conceived with visionary concepts. He commended Gov. Okowa for bringing "the UNIDEL Treasure" which, according to him, would be nurtured faithfully to maturity. Prof. Nwanze, while stressing the importance of Education, stated that investment in Education was investment in the living and those yet unborn. He noted that Governor Okowa had invested in perpetuity and brought light to humanity.

The Vice Chancellor of UNIDEL, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, in her Speech, posited that the celebration of the Founder's Day gave her an excellent opportunity to reflect on the University's two-year journey which began when the University was established in 2021. She acknowledged those who contributed to the take-off of the 3-campus institution. She appreciated the visionary fathers and mothers who worked assiduously to establish the University which had transformed the land into a thriving centre of academic excellence, innovations and research. Prof. Chiemeke who was highly impressed by the turnout of dignitaries at the historic event lauded Governor Okowa for giving unquantifiable infrastructural intervention to the institution. Narrating her achievements as the Pioneer Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chiemeke disclosed that the National Universities Commission ( NUC) in 2021 gave approval of eight Faculties. In the area of infrastructure, she said the University paraded state-of-the-art facilities and resources. She also stated that her administration within two years incorporated Information and Communication Technology ( ICT) into the administrative and academic agenda of the institution. She further disclosed that in the area of human resources, the University showcased qualified, experienced and dedicated members of staff with lecturers keying into the current trend of global visibility.

The VC enumerated some of the challenges that the institution was facing, and they included inadequacy of modern technology and equipment, lack of laboratories, Auditorium, motorable roads, lecture theatres and classrooms. Prof. Chiemeke appealed to government, corporate organizations and individuals who are passionate about the development of education to recognize the critical needs of the University yearning for their intervention. In his speech, the Governor said he was happy that the three new Universities he established had justified their establishment by bridging the gap in university admission and making it cheaper and closer to Deltans. He said that the Founder's Day meant a lot to a school as it allows members of the university community to meet friends and associates to thank those who founded the school and others who had contributed to its growth . He said the event was about the success of a purposeful idea aimed at expanding the frontiers of knowledge and Institutionalizing the deepening of higher education for the advancement of society through research, teaching and learning, the tripod on which tertiary education stands.

The Governor appealed to the University Governing Council and Management to continue on the trajectory of raising the stakes in its determination to grow it to enviable heights. He urged the students to exhibit the highest sense of responsibility and and patriotism. The governor also charged the university authorities to ensure that students were trained in entrepreneurship studies and engaged in research and consultancy services as a means of generating funds for the University. Delivering a Lecture titled" National Growth And Development : Building A Robust Partnership Between The Military And The lvory Tower For A Better Nigeria ", the Guest Lecturer who is Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS ) General Lucky Eluonye lrabor said that national growth and development are the aspirations of every nation. General lrabor noted that most nations utilized the instruments of state such as the armed forces and educational sectors in achieving such objectives. He maintained that educational institutions across the country had also made remarkable contributions to national growth and development by empowering people with adequate knowledge, requisite skills and values. According to him, Nigeria could attain higher national growth and development if the military and the academia worked more closely together in a collaborative partnership to harness the immense capacity of both Institutions. The event featured official robing of the Governor as the Visitor to the University by the Pro Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Nwanze, the Commissioning of various projects by the Governor, the Unveiling of the University News Magazine and the Cutting of Anniversary Cake. Dignitaries at the event included the wife of the state Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, visiting heads of tertiary Institutions, members of Delta State House of Assembly, religious leaders, staff of ICPC and FRSC, and a host of others.