𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔: 𝗢𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗶 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 #5𝗺 𝗧𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

28𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯. 2026.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Saturday attended the maiden convocation ceremony of Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro, where he approved critical infrastructural projects and rewarded outstanding academic performance. A total of 1,231 students graduated during the ceremony, including four First Class honours recipients.

Speaking at the event, Governor Oborevwori described the maiden convocation as a significant milestone in the institution’s history, expressing gratitude for its successful establishment and growth. He noted that the university was founded on the principles of resilience, excellence and hard work.

Earlier, the Governor commissioned several completed projects within the university, 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, all constructed by the Delta State Government.

He paid tribute to his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for initiating the establishment of the university in 2021 as Delta State University of Science and Technology. Oborevwori recalled that he presided over the legislative process for its creation while serving as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

According to the Governor, the subsequent amendment of the law renaming the institution to Southern Delta University was aimed at broadening its academic scope and enabling the accreditation of additional programmes.

Oborevwori also approved key requests presented by the Vice-Chancellor, including 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 and perimeter fencing.

In recognition of academic excellence, the Governor announced a ₦5 million cash award for the overall best graduating student and ₦1 million each for the other three First Class graduates. He commended Engr. Godwin Izomor for offering automatic employment to the overall best student.

Of the 1,231 graduates, four earned First Class honours, 421 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 796 with Second Class Lower Division and 10 in other categories.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Oboreh, described the maiden convocation as a watershed moment for the institution. He traced its evolution from a College of Agriculture to Delta State Polytechnic, and later to a university in 2021.

Oboreh stated that the university has expanded from six faculties with 45 programmes to 11 faculties offering 89 programmes, all approved and accredited by the National Universities Commission.

He highlighted infrastructural developments on campus, including faculty complexes, laboratories, hostels, internal road networks, staff quarters, perimeter fencing and the procurement of over 900 computers. He also acknowledged the donation of ten fully furnished workshops by Engineer Godwin Izomor and the completion of a 1,200-seater auditorium.

The Vice-Chancellor appealed for further government support, particularly in meeting medical accreditation requirements, establishing an independent power plant, constructing additional hostels, creating a Teaching Hospital in Ozoro and completing the Computer-Based Examination Centre.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ambassador Godson Echegile, expressed appreciation to the host communities for their support. The convocation lecture, titled “Beyond Oil: The University and the Future of the Niger Delta,” was delivered by Alexander Ogomudia (rtd).

In his valedictory speech, the overall best graduating student, Frank Akaine, thanked the state government, university management, lecturers and parents for their support. He described the pioneer class as resilient and committed to upholding the values of integrity and excellence.

The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, academics and other stakeholders, marking a historic chapter in the development of Southern Delta University, Ozoro.