Oborevwori Attends Southern Delta University Maiden Convocation, Approves Key Projects …Rewards Four First Class Students As SDU Graduates 1,231
DELTA State Governor and Visitor to Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday approved a range of critical infrastructural projects as the institution graduated 1,231 students at its maiden convocation ceremony — a major milestone in the university’s growth.
Speaking at the convocation, Governor Oborevwori described the event as a historic achievement for an institution built on resilience, hard work and excellence.
Earlier in the day, the Governor commissioned several new projects, 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 constructed by the state government.
Oborevwori paid tribute to former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for establishing the university in 2021 when he served as Speaker of the State House of Assembly. He noted that despite early criticism, the institution has now provided access to higher education for thousands of young people.
He explained that renaming the institution as Southern Delta University widened its academic scope and enhanced its capacity to secure accreditation for more programmes.
The Governor also approved new requests presented by the Vice-Chancellor, including additional ambulances, equipment for the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, hostels for medical students, completion of the Computer-Based Test Centre, a Faculty of Law complex, perimeter fencing and other key facilities.
While commending Engineer Godwin Izomor for offering automatic employment to the overall best graduating student, the Governor announced a cash award of ₦5 million for the best student and ₦1 million each for the other three First Class graduates.
In total, 1,231 students graduated from the university thus: Four with First Class honours, 421 with Second Class Upper Division, 796 with Second Class Lower Division; and 10 in other classifications.
The Vice-Chancellor Professor Jacob Oboreh described the maiden convocation as a landmark moment. He traced the evolution of the institution from a College of Agriculture to a Polytechnic and eventually a full-fledged university in 2021.
He noted that SDU has expanded from six faculties with 45 programmes to 11 faculties with 89 fully approved and accredited programmes. He also listed major infrastructural upgrades, including new faculty complexes, laboratories, hostels, internal roads, staff quarters, perimeter fencing and more than 900 computers.
He praised Engineer Izomor for donating ten fully furnished engineering workshops and highlighted the completion of previously abandoned projects, including a 1,200-seater auditorium. He appealed for additional support to meet medical accreditation requirements, improve power supply through an independent power plant, expand hostel accommodation, complete the Computer-Based Examination Centre and establish a Teaching Hospital in Ozoro.
Earlier, Pro-Chancellor Ambassador Godson Echegile thanked host communities for their support and commended Convocation Lecturer General Alexander Ogomudia (rtd) for delivering a compelling lecture titled “Beyond Oil: The University and the Future of the Niger Delta.”
In his valedictory speech, overall best graduating student Frank Akaine expressed gratitude to God, the state government, university management, lecturers and parents. He described the pioneer class as resilient trailblazers who embraced the uncertainties of a new institution with courage.
“We leave today as proud alumni of a fast-rising university. This achievement reflects sacrifice, vision and determination,” he said, pledging that the pioneer graduates would remain worthy ambassadors of the institution.
Saturday’s ceremony drew dignitaries, academics, community leaders, traditional rulers and political figures, marking a defining chapter in the history of Southern Delta University, Ozoro.
