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… Varsity Holds 5th Combined Convocation
By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
A hostel project, awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at the Niger Delta University (NDU) since 2014, and now allegedly abandoned, has become a source of consternation to the university, as it is “turning into a monument that would soon be taken over by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.”
This is as the NDU authorities have applauded donors, such as the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), SNIPECO, Chevron, PTDF, Federal government’s Needs Assessment, Lulu-Briggs as well as the school’s proprietor, the Bayelsa State government, for their support and contributions towards the infrastructural index of the institution.
NDU’s vice chancellor, Prof Samuel Edoumiekumo, made this known at the pre-convocation media briefing at Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, adding that the strides which have distinguished the institution from its contemporaries within Nigeria and abroad would not have been possible without creative and innovative minds.
According to him, the combined 5th convocation commences with an inaugural lecture and will be climaxed with award of degrees, diplomas and certificates to 15,811 graduands on Saturday. A breakdown shows that 619 are post-graduates, 15 PhDs, 145 Master degrees, 91 first-class and 459 post-graduates while the rests are third-class and pass.
“The combined convocation was due to circumstances beyond our control as we pray that henceforth convocations will be yearly so that graduands can get their Degree certificate instead of statement of results,” the vice chancellor said.
He said NDU under his watch has produced 58 professors, 80 associate professors and 46 senior lecturers. “All of these were attributed to prudent management and grace of God.”
Edoumiekumo also disclosed that the institution has embarked on ventures aimed at generating revenue for it to augment the subvention from government. For example, it produces drinking water (otherwise known as ‘pure water’), engages students to produce filling cabinets, hostel double bunks, paints, NDU mosquito repellant cream, toilet cleaners, as well as runs the NDU Wilberforce Community FM 98.1, he said, adding that “all our products have NAFDAC certified numbers.”
He also disclosed that NDU’s skill acquisition development centre has been equipped to train second year students on entrepreneurial skills, pari passu with student under graduate studies.
Edoumiekumo further said all programs at the university have not only been accredited by the NUC, “but we have also increased the numbers of faculties so that the institution can be at par with older universities.”
He said the university has witnessed massive infrastructural turn-around with modern chairs constructed in all lecture halls and theatres and provision of 20-hour electricity for the entire university from a common generator as against separate generators by faculties and departments in some schools.
