A dawn of new era emerges today as Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba takes over as the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka. He is replacing Prof. Andy Egwunyega whose tenure expires tomorrow November 30. Prof. Asagba’s emergence was sequel to the recent approval of his appointment by the State Governor and Visitor to the university, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
As an insider with a demonstrable capacity in academic leadership and administration, Prof. Asagba is adequately prepared for the position. The reason being that he has served as head of department, dean of faculty, Provost, Deputy Vice Chancellor besides other adhoc functions he was assigned by successive helmsmen of the university. With such a background, it will not be difficult for him to consolidate the achievements of his predecessors and devise new measures to grow the university on multiple fronts within the ambit of the law that established it in 1992.
He is required to run an administration that is inclusive, efficient, and responsive to the yearnings of members of the university community. Granted, the institution’s staff mix also reflects the diversity of Delta State, he should not pander to ethnic sentiments and parochial considerations in attending to varying issues brought to his attention. Having a listening ear and disposition towards dialogue will help him to tackle agitations by students on one hand and the staff unions seeking for an improved welfare of their members on the other hand.
Good a thing, he is taking over at a time the institution had been credited with a number of achievements, the most notable being the expansion of academic programmes bolstered by a stable academic calendar for nearly a decade. While that initiative was in retrospect the brainchild of his penultimate predecessor, Professor Victor Peretomode, its sustenance by Professor Egwunyenga who ensured that DELSU was insulated from the disruptive effects of incessant strike actions should not be abandoned.
That remarkable development has enhanced the image of the state owned university, making it light years ahead of many institutions in the country. As of today, DELSU is one of the few universities in Nigeria where an undergraduate could speak with certitude on his envisioned date of graduation. It is the sole reason for the increase in the number of candidates that choose the university in the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME).
We also expect him to promote scholarship and research activities amongst academic staff as they are pivotal to the optimal functioning of the university. We want to see DELSU under his watch achieve great feats in research in various areas that provide solutions to pressing issues faced in the state, including those it is encountering at the present time. Thus, it would be a welcome development if the university leverages the geographical contiguity of River Ethiope to generate its own electricity in Abraka.
An equally important aspect is deepening the application of digitised learning and teaching. With the continual globalisation through digitisation, DELSU cannot afford to lag behind as its envisaged success in that regard will help to improve its placement in the periodic ranking of universities either at the global, continental or national levels.
Our considered opinion is that his background and experience offers prospects of a successful tenure provided he unfolds a clear vision to drive the institution on the path of sustainable development. There would be challenges no doubt, but what will ultimately count for him is his ability to address issues as they arise as well as his proactive capacity to nip problems in the bud. We wish him good luck!
