…Amnesty student Is Best Overall Student

The Western Delta University (WDU), turned into a field of dreams on
Saturday when at its convocation ceremony, someone who studied under
the Presidential Amnesty Scholarship Programme, that benefits former
Niger Delta militants, not only bagged a First Class degree in
Computer Science but was the best graduating student. Many people in
the WDU main Auditorium shed tears of joy when the valedictorian, Mr.
Ebiwari Shadrach, in his speech, thanked the late President Umaru
Yar’Adua and his successors including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for
continuing with the programme. Thanking God for the Amnesty
scholarship which he said has opened the door for him to achieve his
academic and career goals, he challenged his fellow 2022/2023
graduands of WDU to “work on their weaknesses and provide solutions to
societal problems as they embark on a new journey”. He then
appreciated the Presidential Amnesty Program itself because the
scholarship has put him a step closer to his goal.

Eighteen graduating students from the 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023
session of Western Delta University (WDU), Oghara, Delta State, have
bagged First Class Honors class out of the 426 graduating students

The field of dreams widened when two persons who received honorary
Doctorate degrees, made consequential bequests to WDU. Mr. Oritsedere
Otubu, Chairman, Eko Disco, (Business Administration) and Mr. Igho
Okotete, Chairman of Pioneer Global Resource and Integrated Energy
Ltd, (International Affairs and Diplomacy) pledged to construct an
auditorium and a science laboratory respectively.

Also, the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamballi, Dr Ajoritsedere
Awosika, Ambassador Kim Young Chae were conferred with Honorary
Degrees of Doctor of Public Affairs, Science, International Affairs
and Diplomacy and Business Administration, respectively.

Prof. Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of
Social and Economic Research (NISER) delivered the Convocation lecture
titled; A People – Centred Governance Process in Nigeria: The Role of
the Youth at the 11th – 13th combined convocation ceremony. She called
on the graduands to make good choices that will shape their lives.

According to her, “the challenges facing Nigerian youths are
multifaceted but interrelated. They include limited access to quality
education, unemployment, underemployment, poverty, corruption,
insecurity, a poor health system, culture, cultism, and drug abuse”,
saying that the average youth seek refuge in drugs to weather the
challenge, saying that while the Nigerian population is predominantly
young, the young people have not been adequately catered for over the
years.

She therefore urged the government at all levels to engage youths in
socio-political activities to foster a people-centered, inclusive,
accountable, and responsive system and that “over two-thirds of the
population is under 30 years old. Youth involvement would ensure an
appreciable degree of representation in political and policy decision-
making”.

Urging the graduands to engage themselves with important things
because “the onus lies with you to take the bull by the horns, she
said that “the key is responsibility and initiative, deciding what
your life is about and prioritizing your life around the most
important things. The choices you make are pivotal in shaping your
future self”.

The University Vicitor, Chief Onanefe Ibori, appreciated the Emir of
Zazzau for physically attending the convocation ceremony despite his
busy schedule, noting; “your humility is worth emulating”. He then
urged graduates to improve themselves in the face of adversity and
called on the management to stick to its academic and educational plan
to be a model for other institutions.

During his address, the Chancellor of Western Delta University, Obong
Victor Attah lauded the Visitor of the University, Ibori, for his
vision and hard work in nurturing the institution. According to him,
leadership is very pertinent in making a successful and this is
especially true in Western Delta.

While he commended the graduates for their hard work in completing
their various courses of study, he urged them to remind themselves
that the future of Nigeria depends on them and that ”Nigeria needs
people who can learn, adapt to change, and persuade others to do the
same. We need people who can think critically and creatively to solve
problems. We are confident that the education you have received here
will serve you well”.

Meanwhile, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof.
Emmanuel Eghosa Osaghae reiterated that the giant strides and
accomplishments of the University would not have been achieved without
Chief James Ibori, saying that “we remain grateful for your unwavering
support over the years and we pledge to never let you down”. He also
appreciated the host community, Oghara town, for making the university
environment hospitable for the institution to grow since its
inception.

In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Augustine Ikelegbe mooted that
the institution is proud to be a player in the private university
system which is leading the trail in quality education. He revealed
that the university has significantly expanded its academic colleges
from three to six whilst expanding degree programs and expanded
enrollment.

He charged the graduates to remember the mission of their alma mater
to produce men and women with capability and a deep sense of
responsibility for contribution to development saying that you have to
prove your mettle in the real world and demonstrate the virtues,
knowledge, and competence acquired in Western Delta University.

Also, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki who was represented by
his Deputy, Phillip Shaibu congratulated Chief James Ibori and the
management of the institution for their immense contribution to the
educational sector of Nigeria. “You are adding value to the
educational system and you are creating a knowledge base for the
country to grow and has added depth to the education system in
Nigeria”. He urged graduates to be the catalyst that will boost the
economy of the country, saying that let us focus on production for
local consumption. He further called on the state government to create
an enabling environment for businesses to strive, saying that this is
the only line of action to take.

In her remarks, the Member of the House of Representatives
representing Ethiope-West Federal Constituency, Mrs Erhitake
Ibori-Suenu, urged the graduates to be good products of the
institution by contributing to the growth of the society.