Orphan bags automatic employment, scholarship

Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday, offered the overall best graduating student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Mr Abel Jonathan, an automatic employment by the government and scholarship to further his studies.

Mr Jonathan, an orphan, garnered a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.91 to emerge the best graduating student.

The governor made the offer while delivering his address at the 13th convocation ceremony of the Delta State University, Abraka.

At the occasion, 4,250 graduands of the 2017/2018 academic session received different certificates.

He, however, challenged graduates of Nigerian universities to apply the knowledge they had gained to create a better and fulfilling future for themselves, their families and the society.

Governor Okowa said “Hard work, commitment and perseverance are the hallmarks and defining features of any citizen who is prepared for the challenges of our modern but fast-changing society; and it is expected that graduates of our universities have to apply the same virtue as they move into the wider society where they will use the knowledge gained to create a better and fulfilling future for themselves, families and society in general.

“Let me use this ceremony to draw the attention of everyone to the importance of education not only in the life of every individual, particularly the youths, but also in nation building.

“Though capital-intensive, education, undoubtedly, remains the bedrock for progress and sustainable development in any society.

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“As we are aware, the global labour market is becoming more competitive and it calls for the need for universities to reinvent their curricula in line with the dictates of the times as graduates should not be seekers of employment but employers of labour.

“This is why every responsible government would always, even in the face of economic downturns, strive to make funds available for the provision of education at all levels in the society.”

He disclosed that his administration has always “carried out its responsibilities of regular and prompt payment of salaries of staff, release of subventions and provision of infrastructure within the limits of available resources.”

While congratulating the graduates of the university, Governor Okowa observed that DELSU “has proved itself worthy in its commitments to the pursuit of its core mandate of research, teaching and learning.”

The pro chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the university, Professor Sam Oyovbaire had, in an address, said, “we have so far been fair and firm in line with academic best practices in the handling of matters relating to the discipline of staff and students,” while the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Victor Peretomode in his address, commended Governor Okowa for his support to the university.