The newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, on Monday, assumed duty as the seventh helmsman of the citadel of learning.
Prof Egwunyenga expressed his passionate belief that the future of the university would experience a paradigm shift anchored on brilliant ideas and innovations.
At the sidelines during his Thanksgiving service, he said, “This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I’m confident that I will do all that I can to take the university down a great path with utmost dedication and redeem the faith the Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, has placed in me.”
It will be recalled that the tenure of the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode, an Ijaw, who was the sixth VC, elapsed November 30, 2019.
The emergence of Prof Egwunyenga ended 27 years of waiting from the Anioma axis of the state to produce the Vice-Chancellor of the institution after its establishment on April 30, 1992.
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His position as the seventh VC of DELSU followed his appointment by the Visitor to the institution, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on the recommendation of the Governing Council after a selection process by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Committee.
The DELSU boss, in his seven-point agenda issued by the Information and Public Relations Division, commended his predecessor, Prof. Victor Pretemode, for leaving behind a good legacy of discipline.
He said his administration would, in the next five years, promote academic freedom, shared governance, transparent decision-making, but would be firm on discipline.
“I earnestly solicit renewed support and solidarity of all staff and students. I bear no grudges against anyone and I ask that we forgive one another and unite as a community of scholars and administrators, to collectively lift DELSU.
“Let us live up to the inspiring words of our anthem and create a citadel of learning that thrives in hard work for self-reliance, great in knowledge, character and service,” he said.
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Prof. Egwunyanga, who is a former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), pledged to lead, inspire and further reposition DELSU to emerge as the best university in Nigeria.
“To realise this vision, we have a lot of work to do, among which is the provision of the highest quality of teaching and learning to our dear students, should be at the heart of the students.
“We must focus on improving the welfare of staff to ensure effective and motivated workforce.
“There is the need to be more innovative and employ ICT to make DELSU more competitive and also our ageing facilities must be rehabilitated and university services made more effective,” he added.
Prof. Egwunyanga, who was also a former
Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, pledged that his administration would pay adequate attention to the development of the three campuses of the university.
“We shall improve the university’s relationship with its host communities and genuine cases of injustice will be addressed,” he noted.
