By Ovasa Ogaga,
Delta State Governor and Visitor to Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday approved critical infrastructural projects for the institution as it graduated 1,231 students — including four First Class honourees — at its maiden convocation ceremony.
The landmark event marked a significant milestone in the university’s evolution, with the governor also announcing cash rewards for outstanding academic performance and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding higher education in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, Oborevwori expressed gratitude to God for the successful establishment and growth of the institution, describing the maiden convocation as “the first of many remarkable achievements” for a university built on resilience, hard work, and excellence.
Earlier in the day, the governor commissioned several completed projects funded by the Delta State Government, including laboratories and workshops for the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, male and female hostels, the Faculty of Computing complex, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences building.
He paid tribute to his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for the foresight in establishing the institution in 2021 as Delta State University of Science and Technology, noting that he presided over the legislative process as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly at the time.
“Despite criticisms driven by narrow political interests, the benefits are now clear. Thousands of students who may not have had access to university education have been admitted, trained, and graduated,” the governor said.
Oborevwori explained that the amendment, renaming the institution Southern Delta University, was intended to broaden its academic scope and enable accreditation of additional programmes in line with the administration’s vision of inclusive and responsive education.
The governor approved key requests presented by the Vice-Chancellor, including additional ambulances, equipment for the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, hostels for medical students, construction of a Faculty of Law complex, completion of the Computer-Based Test Centre, perimeter fencing, and other essential infrastructure.
In recognition of academic excellence, Oborevwori commended Engr. Godwin Izomor for granting automatic employment to the overall best graduating student and announced a ₦5 million cash award for the overall best graduand, alongside ₦1 million each for the other three First Class graduates, stressing that exceptional performance must always be rewarded.
A total of 1,231 students graduated at the ceremony, comprising four First Class honours recipients, 421 Second Class Upper Division graduates, 796 Second Class Lower Division graduates, and 10 others in various categories.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Jacob Oboreh, described the maiden convocation as a watershed moment, tracing the institution’s transformation from a College of Agriculture to Delta State Polytechnic and eventually a full-fledged university in 2021.
He disclosed that the university has expanded from six faculties offering 45 programmes to 11 faculties with 89 fully accredited programmes approved by the National Universities Commission.
Oboreh highlighted major infrastructural achievements, including faculty complexes, laboratories, hostels, internal road networks, staff quarters, a perimeter fence, and the procurement of over 900 computers. He also acknowledged the donation of ten fully furnished workshops by Engineer Godwin Izomor and the completion of previously abandoned projects, such as a 1,200-seat auditorium.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, appealed for additional government support, particularly toward medical accreditation requirements, establishment of an independent power plant, construction of more hostels, creation of a Teaching Hospital in Ozoro, perimeter fencing, and completion of the Computer-Based Examination Centre.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Godson Echegile, commended the host communities of Ozoro and Orerokpe for their support and praised the Convocation Lecturer, Alexander Ogomudia (rtd), for delivering a lecture titled “Beyond Oil: The University and the Future of the Niger Delta.”
Delivering the valedictory address, overall best graduating student Frank Akaine described the pioneer class as trailblazers who overcame the uncertainties of a newly established institution with courage and determination.
“We came in as the first set, unsure of what the future held, but today we leave as proud alumni of a fast-rising university. This achievement is a testament to resilience, sacrifice and the power of vision,” Akaine said.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries, traditional rulers, political leaders, academics, and community stakeholders, marking what observers described as a defining chapter in the history of Southern Delta University, Ozoro.
