Delta Remains Hub Of Education In Nigeria –Tonukari

BY IFEANYI UWAGWU

THE Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, has affirmed that Delta State continues to be the educational hub of Nigeria, boasting nine state-owned tertiary institutions. He emphasised that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for youth through access to quality education.

Prof. Tonukari made this statement when the Delta State Axis of the Joint Campus Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) paid him a courtesy visit at his office in the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat.

The delegation, led by the Chairman Comrade Samson Ikpahwore, commended the Commissioner for his achievements since assuming office. They praised him for embedding the MORE agenda into all aspects of the state’s higher education sector.

During the visit, Comrade Ikpahwore called on the Commissioner to address the reluctance of some institution heads to grant an audience to student representatives. He noted that such meetings are essential and should be facilitated without delay, as students are not adversaries of the management or the government. Ikpahwore highlighted that these meetings are crucial for maintaining dialogue and preventing agitation on campuses, stressing that students should not be kept waiting for hours or have their appointments cancelled.

The student body also appealed for the implementation of a payment-by-instalment system for tuition fees in state universities. This policy, they argued, would alleviate the financial pressure on students and their families. They assured the Commissioner that they had worked out practical modalities for the smooth implementation of such a policy. Additionally, the group urged the establishment of functional counselling centres to support students, particularly new entrants, in navigating academic and personal challenges. According to them, many students currently prefer seeking assistance from the Student Union Government (SUG) rather than from certified counselling officers on campus.

In response, Prof. Tonukari expressed gratitude for their visit and assured them that their requests had been noted. He revealed that a payment-by-instalment policy was already in place at some state-owned institutions, including Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, and the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro. He committed to promoting the adoption of this policy in other institutions to ease the financial burden on parents and students, adding that discussions for its implementation at the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, were underway, with technical challenges soon to be addressed.

Prof. Tonukari acknowledged the rising cases of mental health issues, linking them to the difficult economic climate affecting students and their families. He commended Governor Oborevwori for maintaining relatively low tuition fees in state-owned institutions compared to private counterparts, even though quality education, like that provided in Delta State, is not inexpensive.

He further disclosed that, following a recent meeting, Governor Oborevwori had approved the payment of student bursaries, which would be disbursed in the coming months. Prof. Tonukari also mentioned plans to review and enhance the operations of existing counselling centres in the state’s tertiary institutions. He urged student leaders to exhibit exemplary behaviour and be positive role models for their peers, thereby discouraging involvement in harmful activities.