NDDC boss institutes family awards for best medical, law students in UNIDEL

An award of N1m has been instituted yearly for the best graduating medical student at the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, Delta State.

The institution of the award was announced by the incumbent chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) and former Commissioner for Education and Secretary to Delta State government, Mr Chiedu Ebie, at the second Founders Day celebration and fund raising for Ika Language and Cultural Research Centre of the university.

According to him, the award by the family which would be reviewed after five years is in honour of his father, the pioneer Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching hospitals (UBTH), late Professor John Ebie.

The NNDC boss who was the chairman of the occasion, also announced the sum of N1m for the best student in law even as he also gave a full scholarship to a Law student, Miss Serah Efurhirhi who had the GPA of 5.0 but faced many challenges in her studies.

Ebie said the scholarship would enable the student to concentrate on her studies and realise her potential.

Emphasising the importance of education to the development of the nation, the chairman commended the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for his vision in establishing the university along with two others which he said had achieved much within a space of about three years.

The state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at the occasion called on parents to ensure that their children learn and speak indigenous languages.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Monday Onyeme, the governor expressed fears that various indigenous languages are faced with threats of extinction.

He commended UNIDEL for working to preserve the Ika language with the establishment of the Ika Language and Cultural Centre.

The governor said: “It is my pleasure to address this gathering as we celebrate the second Founder’s Day of this young and very promising university.

“In less than three years of its existence, the University of Delta, Agbor, is steadily building a reputation for creativity and academic excellence.

“I am particularly impressed by the initiative to establish an Ika Language and Cultural Centre. This is highly commendable because nationally various indigenous languages are faced with threats of extinction.

“With more and more of our children relocating abroad and many of our elite preferring to communicate in English rather than our indigenous languages in their daily interactions, even at home, it will not be long before we lose our mother tongues unless urgent steps are taken to reverse the trend.

“The establishment of the lka Language and Cultural Research Centre is a wake-up call for us all to ensure that our children are made to learn and speak our indigenous dialects.

Over N95m was released from donors who were drawn majorly from Ika ethnic nationality for the fundraising.

The governor commended the governing council of the institution led by the erudite Professor Emeritus, Emmanuel Nwanze, and the vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Stella Chiemeke, for their clear vision, focus, sincerity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to put the university on a sound and sure footing.

He also commended the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for establishing UNIDEL and two other universities.

He called on institutions of higher learning to produce graduates who are equipped with relevant skills to enable them meet the demands of the 21st Century global market.

The immediate past governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, at the event expressed joy that UNIDEL is recording successes in its activities.

Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, who spoke on the topic, ‘Transforming Potential into Prosperity: Harnessing of Nigeria’s Youthful Population for Economic Growth and National Renaissance,’ observed that the foremost reality confronting Nigeria was the declining standard of educational system in the country.

He urged Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture and engage in entrepreneurial activities that could transform their future.

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