Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), in Public Policy and Strategy by Novena University, Ogume in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the governance of the state.
The conferment took place on Saturday during the institution’s 5th combined (2018/2019 through 2023/2024) sessions convocation ceremony at Amai campus in Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Oborevwori thanked the university for the recognition, adding that the honour was a motivation and a challenge to press forward in his vision to advance Delta State through his M.O.R.E Agenda.
According to him, “Our administration’s MORE agenda is a policy document that embodies priorities for sustainable social and economic development.
“This, we hope to achieve through infrastructural renewal, comprehensive programmes of youth training, development, and empowerment, and the creation of a conducive business and investment environment for local and foreign direct investments.
“So far, we have recorded remarkable successes in advancing urban-rural integration through massive road construction as well as micro-credit and capacity building support for SMEs.
“To date, over two hundred thousand persons have been given grants and various business support packages to help them overcome the prevailing economic challenges so i am deeply grateful that our modest achievements have been noticed by this university.
“Going forward, we will consolidate on the progress made and ensure sustainability of our policies and programmes”
He lauded the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Chuks Ochonogor, for his clear vision, industry and dedication to offering quality higher education.
“I note with pleasure that as the first private university in Delta State, Novena University has continued to live up to expectation with increased enrolment, expanding academic curricular, infrastructure upgrades and an enhanced learning climate.
“I salute your courage, determination, resourcefulness and resilience. It would have been easier to deploy your hard-earned resources to trade and commerce for faster returns on investment, but you chose to invest in the youths of this country; we appreciate you for this and posterity will forever be kind to you.”
Governor Oborevwori commended the academic and non-academic staff of the university for their sacrifice, commitment and contributions to building the citadel of learning and urged the graduands to put to work what they had learnt from the institution.
“Today, the university has certified that you have acquired the requisite knowledge of your fields, analytical abilities, self-awareness, and the skills that the university degree implies.
“I want to believe that you have also imbibed the values that this university represents, values of hard work, discipline, innovation, honesty, and accountability.
“As you step out into the world today, you must be ready to embrace change, because we are living in a world of rapid changes. Change can be unsettling. It can create great tension, anxiety, and uncertainty.
“But it can also open doors to wonderful new beginnings. So, you must be prepared for change. Sometimes, changes in life may appear sudden, drastic, and dramatic. But instead of deterring you, they should serve as a motivation for you to break new frontiers.”
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the University, HRM King Alfred Diete-Spiff, said Novena University was a big lesson for the Nigerian state exemplified by dint of hardwork of the Pro-Chancellor providing positive change in his immediate community and Nigeria as one of the leading private universities in Nigeria.
He challenged Nigerian leaders to work with vision, sincerity and conscience in building a better Nigeria.
The Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of the University, Chuks Ochonogor, said the ceremony was a testament to 20 years impactful service to the people, adding that the university had enhanced the economy of the host communities by creating employments and profitable economic activities for the self-employed as well as contractors, traders and landlords.
He said the university which commenced academic activities in the 2005/2006 session with three colleges, now had seven colleges, including the Colleges of Medicine and Law.
Welcoming guests earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Godwin Nduka, said the university ‘stands out’ as the very first private university in Delta State.
He said the university boasts of great diversity with the current Vice-Chancellor being the first Deltan to become head of the institution since inception twenty years ago.
The Vice-Chancellor lauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his numerous strides in the areas of prompt payment of salaries, including the new minimum wage, pensions, security of life and property, providing better roads and care for different categories of people in need.
At the ceremony, the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, was among the graduands with the Master of Science Degree in Accounting.
