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Oborevwori Approves Projects as Southern Delta University Graduates 1,231 at Maiden Convocation
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
Delta State Governor, and Visitor to Southern Delta University (SDU), Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, weekend, approved critical infrastructural projects for the institution as it graduated 1,231 students, including four First Class honors recipients, at its maiden convocation ceremony.
The historic event marked a major milestone in the evolution of the university, which was established in 2021.
At the ceremony in Ozoro, Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to God for the successful take-off and steady growth of the institution, describing the maiden convocation as “the first of many remarkable achievements” for a university founded on hard work, resilience and excellence.
Earlier, the governor commissioned several projects executed by the state government, 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.
Oborevwori paid tribute to his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for his foresight in establishing the university in 2021 as Delta State University of Science and Technology. He noted that he presided over the legislative process as Speaker of the State House of Assembly at the time.
“Despite criticisms driven by narrow political interests, the benefits are now clear. Thousands of students who may not have had access to university education have been admitted, trained and graduated,” the governor said.
He explained that the amendment of the law to rename the institution as Southern Delta University was aimed at broadening its academic scope and enabling the accreditation of more programmes, in line with his administration’s vision of inclusive and responsive education.
The governor also approved key requests presented by the Vice-Chancellor, including the provision of additional ambulances, equipment for the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, hostels for medical students, construction of a Faculty of Law complex, completion of the Computer-Based Test Centre, perimeter fencing and other critical infrastructure.
Commending Godwin Izomor for granting automatic employment to the overall best graduating student, Oborevwori announced a cash award of ₦5 million for the best graduating student and ₦1 million each for the other three First Class graduands, stressing that outstanding performance must always be rewarded.
Of the 1,231 graduates, four earned First Class honours, 421 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 796 with Second Class Lower Division, while 10 received degrees in other categories.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Oboreh, described the maiden convocation as a watershed moment in the history of the university. He traced its evolution from a College of Agriculture to Delta State Polytechnic, and eventually to a full-fledged university in 2021.
According to him, the institution has expanded from six faculties with 45 programmes to 11 faculties offering 89 programmes, all approved and accredited by the National Universities Commission.
Oboreh highlighted major infrastructural developments, including faculty complexes, laboratories, hostels, internal road networks, staff quarters, a perimeter fence and the procurement of over 900 computers. He also acknowledged the donation of ten fully furnished workshops by Engineer Godwin Izomo and the completion of previously abandoned projects, including a 1,200-seater auditorium.
The Vice-Chancellor appealed for further government support, particularly in meeting medical accreditation requirements, improving power supply through an independent power plant, constructing additional hostels, establishing a Teaching Hospital in Ozoro, completing perimeter fencing and finishing the Computer-Based Examination Centre.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ambassador Godson Echegile, expressed appreciation to the Ozoro and Orerokpe communities for their support. He also commended the Convocation Lecturer, Alexander Ogomudia, for delivering a thought-provoking lecture titled, “Beyond Oil: The University and the Future of the Niger Delta.”
In his valedictory speech, the overall best graduating student, Frank Akaine, expressed gratitude to God, the state government, university management, lecturers and parents for their support throughout their academic journey.
He described the pioneer class as trailblazers who endured the uncertainties of a newly established institution with courage and determination.
“We came in as the first set, unsure of what the future held, but today we leave as proud alumni of a fast-rising university. This achievement is a testament to resilience, sacrifice and the power of vision,” Akaine said.
He urged his fellow graduates to uphold the values of integrity, excellence and hard work instilled in them, pledging that the pioneer alumni would serve as worthy ambassadors of Southern Delta University.
The ceremony attracted an array of dignitaries, traditional rulers, political leaders, academics and community stakeholders, marking a defining chapter in the history of the institution.
By David Torough, Abuja
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, has strongly condemned the recent killings in communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, where more than 13 people were reportedly murdered by suspected herdsmen terrorists.
The attacks occurred in the Mbaav and Mbadura areas of Turan in Kwande, leaving several residents dead and others injured, displaced, or missing.
Aondoakaa described the incident as “barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable,” stressing that the killing of innocent farmers in their own communities should trouble the conscience of all Nigerians.
In a statement issued by his media aide, James Ian, the former justice minister expressed deep sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and to residents affected by the violence.
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims who have lost their loved ones in such cruel circumstances,” Aondoakaa said. “I also sympathize with the many people who have been injured, displaced from their ancestral homes, or are still missing following these attacks. The trauma and suffering being inflicted on our people are simply unacceptable.”
He noted that the renewed violence in Kwande reflects the persistent insecurity facing many rural communities in Benue, warning that repeated attacks have turned once peaceful farming settlements into areas of fear and displacement.
Aondoakaa also expressed concern over what he described as the apparent silence and inaction of the Benue State Government amid recurring killings across the state.
He urged the state’s leadership to demonstrate stronger commitment to protecting vulnerable communities and to provide clear direction and reassurance to residents.
The former Attorney General appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene by deploying adequate security forces to affected communities to halt the cycle of violence.
He commended Tinubu for his earlier visit to Benue following the deadly attack in Yelewata last year, which left more than 200 people dead, saying the visit gave hope to grieving families.
Aondoakaa also called on security agencies to act swiftly to safeguard lives and property, while urging all levels of government to collaborate in addressing the growing security crisis affecting communities in Benue State.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Kwande United People’s Organization (KWUPO) has demanded urgent explanations from security authorities following fresh attacks on communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, despite the recent deployment of security personnel to the area.
In a statement issued in March by its President General, Comrade Simon Aloko Nachi, the group said residents were attacked on Thursday night in River Jam, Mbaikyo Mbachiom, and across the Yaav Ward, communities located close to Jato Aka in the Turan axis where about 200 security personnel are reportedly stationed.
KWUPO expressed shock and anger that the attacks occurred only weeks after Governor Rev.
Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia visited the area and assured residents that security measures had been put in place to protect them.According to the group, no security intervention was reported during the attacks despite the proximity of the deployed personnel.
The organization described the situation as a serious security failure and questioned the role of the officers stationed in Jato Aka, asking why no attempt was made to repel the attackers or protect the nearby communities.
KWUPO called on Governor Alia, the chairman of Kwande Local Government, and the heads of all security agencies operating in the area to immediately investigate the incident and provide a clear explanation to residents.
The group warned that the continued attacks have deepened fear among residents and displaced families, many of whom have already lost homes and loved ones in previous violence.
It also appealed to civil society groups, the National Assembly, and the international community to pay attention to the security situation in Kwande, insisting that residents deserve urgent protection and decisive action to prevent further loss of life.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Coalition of Geopolitical Youth Associations of Nigeria and Civil Society Organisations have expresses their profound outrage, disappointment and categorical rejection of “unjust criminalisation of a matter fundamentally civil in nature” involving one of Nigeria’s foremost legal minds, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN.
The CSOs comprise youth leaders drawn from the six geo-political zones, including but not limited to the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Oodua Youth Parliament, Concerned Ndibo Youth Movement, North Central Youths Assembly of Nigeria, Nigeria Youth Advocacy for good governance and allied civil society organisations.
In a statement jointly issued by the to groups, they said they are “deeply concerned by the actions of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation using the instrumentality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in pursuing a criminal prosecution over a property gift transaction reportedly intended for registration in London, an issue that, by every reasonable legal standard, falls within the realm of civil dispute resolution.”
According to them, “The transformation of such a matter into a criminal prosecution raises serious questions about proportionality, fairness, and adherence to due process. It sends a troubling signal to Nigerians and the international community that legal interpretation may be stretched beyond reason in matters that require civil adjudication, not criminal sanction,especially as the UK adjudicatory tribunal found Prof Ozekhome blameless in it’s judgment.
“Professor Mike Ozekhome is not just a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); he is a towering symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle and evolution. For decades, he has stood fearlessly against military dictatorship, constitutional infractions, executive recklessness, and human rights violations.
“His sacrifices both personal and professional have helped shape Nigeria’s legal and democratic jurisprudence and strengthened the rule of law.
“It is therefore most painful and highly unacceptable that a man whose legacy is intertwined with Nigeria’s democratic struggles could be subjected to what appears to be a needless and avoidable prosecution, particularly after an earlier case on the same subject matter had been withdrawn by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in a competent court of law.
“On behalf of Nigerian youths and civil society organisations nationwide, we acknowledge the intervention of the Hon Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, for assuming later oversight of the matter.
“We had recognized this as a step towards restoring institutional balance and reaffirming constitutional authority within the prosecutorial framework under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“However, we firmly state that oversight alone is not enough. We,as well as most Nigerians, had expected him to terminate the proceedings that appear targeted at him alone since none of the other lawyers mentioned in the case has been arraigned.”
The groups demanded the following: “Immediate and Unconditional Withdrawal of the Charges; call upon the Honourable Attorney-General to exercise his constitutional powers under Section 174 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to discontinue this needless prosecution forthwith. Justice delayed in this context is justice denied.
“Prosecutorial powers must never be used in a manner that blurs the line between civil and criminal jurisprudence. We demand a clear reaffirmation of this distinction to prevent future abuse.
“Investigative and prosecuting agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC that had initially rushed to court and given the case wide publicity, must operate strictly within the bounds of the law and avoid sensational actions that may erode public trust and confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
“The continued prosecution of a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria over a matter widely perceived as civil risks undermining confidence in Nigeria’s justice system and diminishing the standing of the legal profession.
“Nigeria’s global image must not be compromised by prosecutorial decisions that appear excessive or legally questionable, particularly when they involve individuals of international legal repute.
“Nigerian youths demand a justice system that is impartial, principled, and immune from perceptions of intimidation or selective application of the law.
“Let it be clearly stated : our call is not for immunity from the law.
“No Nigerian is above the law. However, the law itself must not be stretched beyond logic or fairness ot targeted at specific critical individuals in pursuit of outcomes that could have been resolved through civil mechanisms.
“Justice must never be weaponised. Justice must never be selective. Justice must never be perceived as retaliatory. Justice must never been seen as persecutory.
“We therefore urge the Honourable Attorney-General to act decisively and courageously in defence of constitutionalism, fairness and national interest by discontinuing these charges in their entirely.
“Nigeria’s democracy was built on sacrifices made by Nigerians amongst whom Ozekhome’s name resonates clearly. It must not be weakened by prosecutorial excesses of retaliatory measures.
Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.”
The joint statement was signed by Amb. Olasunkanmi Kolawole,
Convener & President
North Central Youths Assembly of Nigeria; Dr. Isah Abubakar,
Co-Convener & President
Northern Youth Council of Nigeria; Comrade Tochukwu Okoye, President
Concerned Ndibo Youth Movement of Nigeria; Activist Olamilekan Oladimeji,
President Odu’a Youth Parliament,Malam Lukman Lawal, National Coordinator
Youth Alliance for National Transformation and Comrade. Alabi Akeem Abiodun, National Coordinator
Nigeria Youth Advocacy for good governance.
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