Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has inaugurated the 7thGoverning Council of Delta State University headed by Mr. Tony Elumelu, with a charge to members to be resourceful and generate more revenue to improve infrastructure and academic excellence.
Dr Uduaghan who performed the inauguration in Asaba implored the new council to focus more on educational programmes in the university and ensure the programmes were in line with National and International standards.
He also enjoined the council to shun all ethnic tendencies, check cultism, drugs and anti-social activities by students.
While explaining that it was only under an atmosphere of discipline and peace that progress could be made in the university, the governor urged the Governing Council to come up with effective strategies that could engender peace and harmony in the institution.
“The vision of this administration is to develop a world class institution that can compete favourably with similar institutions globally, so I charge you to focus greater attention on teaching, peace, research, training and community service,” he said.
Dr Uduaghan who described the ceremony as significant and emotional was optimistic that members of the council would live up to expectation and make meaningful impact.
He said the education sector was a critical one even as he explained that members of the council were carefully chosen because of the current trend in the development of the education sector which required academic depth, best hands in business management in order to move the institution to a glorious height.
The governor appealed to stakeholders especially staff, students and the host communities to ensure that everything was done to make the institution the best in the world.
Dr Uduaghan reiterated his administration’s preparedness to impact positively on human capital development and would consequently be consistent in improving education at all levels.
Reminding the council of the challenges facing the education sector in the state, he said ‘’Universities have challenges and as such you should have the capacity to transform the institution especially in the area of infrastructures and academic excellence’’.
Responding, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Tony Elumelu said “This is a call to duty and we will give our best to make the university a world class citadel of learning”. My personal belief is that, “What is above the ground is more valuable than what is beneath the ground” which means that brain power is more valuable than natural resources”
Mr. Elumelu who promised that they would not let the state government down, described the governor as a humble, wonderful and industrious person who has great passion to develop the state.
He promised not to betray the confidence placed on them and expressed appreciation to the state government for the opportunity given them to serve.
Other members of the Governing Council include Mr Jite Okoloko, Prof Dafe Otobo, Prof.( Mrs.) Abhor Ighoroje, Dr. Ikoyo Eweto, Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Omeni, Dr. Bright Okogu and Prof Sam Pabor.
