GOVERNOR Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called on the private sector to partner the state government to address infrastructural needs in the state-owned universities.
Oborevwori made the call at the 17th convocation ceremony of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka at the weekend.
The governor acknowledged the recurring issues of infrastructural gap in the university and assured that the state government would do everything within the limit of available resources to address the challenges.
He noted that government alone cannot tackle the challenges, hence the need to adopt the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to deliver universities that can compete globally.
“We shall continue to tackle the issues of infrastructural gap within the limit of our resources. We call on private organisations to partner with us in this regard.
“With the increasing needs of infrastructure in our universities, there is need for stakeholders to collaborate with the government to address the challenges.
“Government cannot do it alone, with an effective PPP, we shall deliver the university of our dream,” he said.
Oborevwori assured that the state government would redouble it’s efforts to compliment that of the university’s authority to continually support research, teaching excellence and enhanced learning for the students.
The governor commended the Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Samuel Asagba for the development he had brought into the university within a short time in office.
“Within a short period in office, you have constructed a kilometre road in the campus. “The university has made series of researches, staff welfare and enhanced learning planing under your tutelage,” he said.
Oborevwori also commended the Governing Council of the university
for their focus, dedication and unwavering commitment to building a first class university.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, DELSU Governing Council , Gen. Alexander Ogomudia (Rtd) said that the Governing Council would continue to fashion out policies to facilitate the growth and development of academic standards and social relations in the University
Ogomudia said that the university was facing numerous challenges, including inadequate staffing, infrastructure deficit, such as lack of essential and current equipment in some laboratories, water supply and power amongst others.
“It is important to note, that globally, any University, no matter its level of development, is considered as work in progress.
“Therefore, as a way of providing this much needed education to our students, we wish to request the government to fast-track the completion of some abandoned projects.
“The Administrative complex at the entrance of Site III, as well as the construction of Faculty Complexes for Agriculture, Mass Communication and Media Studies,” Ogomudia said.
On his part, Prof. Asagba said that a total of 6,401graduands from the various programmes in the 2023/2024 academic session participated in the Convocation.
“Let it be placed on record that we celebrate today as an institution that has made some indelible marks in the comity of universities in the country.
“Our graduands have been known to have proven their mettle wherever they are found.
“It is important to state that, through continuous rejig and review of our curricula, we are in the forefront of exposing our students to the current tertiary education that is of international standard,” he said.
Asagba said that the University Senate and Management were committed to upholding the integrity of the University in order to maintain the academic glory and enhance the integrity of the institution’s academic programmes.
The vice chancellor listed some of that projects funded and built through the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the University to include:
“Construction of a kilometre road from Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to Faculty of Arts in Site III.
“Construction of Faculty of Agriculture, Site III, which ground breaking ceremony, has been performed today by Gov. Oborevwori.
“Construction of 500 capacity lecture theatre, Faculty of Arts. Site III (on going). Construction of a block of five classrooms and offices for DELSU.”
Among the attendees were Prof. Jude Okoro, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta, members of the academia, King Monday Whiskey, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom.
