The Unsung Story Of Western Delta University, Oghara

“One generation cannot enter into a contract to stifle the
intellectual and moral development of a later generation by making it
impossible for the latter to expand its knowledge, to expose and
eliminate error, and thereby to become ever more enlightened. To do so
would be to commit a crime against human nature, whose destiny is to
grow and progress? Later generations are utterly justified in ignoring
or overturning such an agreement as unjust and illegal…An individual
may for a time hesitate to enlighten himself. But opt out of such
enlightenment entirely, either for oneself or one’s descendant to ride
roughshod over the sacred rights of mankind…..Immanuel Kant.
When I got the invitation for the world press conference for Western
Delta University, Oghara, I was so excited owing to the fact that the
world would now be aware of the unsung achievements of this young but
dynamic institution.
In that fateful day, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Austin Ovigue Asagba in
company of other management staff took time to acquit the press on
some of the achievements of the institution since its inception.
As usual this piece would be in futility, if I do not give a brief
history of this noble citadel of learning. The University was founded
by a group of Urhobo academics and investors in the knowledge of
industry, who decided to take advantage of the liberalization of the
Nigerian higher ities. The group obtained the application form from
the National University Commission, NUC for the proposed private
University to be sited in Oghara. To realize this vision, the group
established a body called Urhobo advancement Foundation (UAF); it was
registered in 2005 with the corporate affairs commission as a
non-profitable organization limited by Guarantee.
One aim of the foundation was to set up educational institutions to
empower Nigeria and Africa with the knowledge of technological skill
to be competitive in this era of new globalization. The body was also
inspired by various challenges thrown up by the dynamics situation in
the Niger Delta region as the economic heartbeat of Nigeria and West
Africa sub-region. The UAF decided that a first class rate University
was needed to under focused the researches on the peculiar
biodiversity and socio-economic resources of the Niger Delta. The name
WESTERN DELTA UNIVERSITY reflected its vision.
When UAF family was set up, the family of His eminence, Lat Godfrey
Mene Otubu of Oghara, had plans to immortalize his memory through the
promotion of education. The UAF and Mene Otubu Trust had a fruitful
discussion on the University project. Thus, Mr. Dere Otubu, an
industrialist agreed to serve as the promoter of the University while
the UAF is the proprietor. An academic planning committee, later
Project implementation Committee, (PIC) was set up in May, 2004, to
prepare the academic Briefs and other relevant documents for
submission to the National University Commission. The committee headed
by Prof. David T. Okpako of the University of Ibadan and a fellow of
the academy of science. Chief James Erhuero, JP, an engineer and
former secretary of the Delta State Government was in charge of
physical projects and Allied matters. The firm of Gerik Associates
based in Benin City, Edo State was commissioned to coordinate a
consortium of experts to prepare the master plan. Prof Andrew
Onokerhoraye, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin
headed the team that produced the Environmental Impact Assessment for
the project.
In October 22-24, 2006, SCOPU undertook its final verification visit
to the proposed University. The revised Academic Briefs, University
laws and master plan were thoroughly examined at the interactive
sessions between SCOPU and members of the Project Implementation
Committee. All outstanding legal documents were scrutinized for
accuracy. SCOPU advised the PIC to produce all relevant documents for
the NUC to consider and forward to the federal executive council for
assessment for a license. On May 17th, 2000, the University was
granted approval to operate as a private University by the Federal
Government of Nigeria.
Since the vision of the institution was spelt out to serve as first
rate institution committed to the pursuit of excellence in all areas
of academic leaning, technology development and social relevance,
while the mission was to produce men and women with the view of the
knowledge required for the resolution of national and international
challenges.
Today, this institution has not deviated from its vision with the
rigorous pursuit of its mission where its materials (graduates)
currently compete favorably in their various field of human endeavors.
In eight of its existence, the institution has achieved a lot in the
area of manpower, braining and its researches, student-lecturer ratio
is adjudged to be the best among private universities in Niger Delta
region. These achievements were is a result to the dogged efforts of
management staff, stakeholders and indeed the host communities.
Western Delta University has graduated five sets without break. It is
noteworthy that two of its graduates qualified for the Delta State
Government scholarship for first class graduates of the State origin
in any country of their choice around the world. Recently, precisely
August 13th, 2015, the institution was granted full license to operate
as private University, with all courses fully accredited by National
University Commission, NUC.
The National University Commission, NUC approved two new colleges viz:
college of law and college of Humanities to commence in the new
academic session. The institution has also proposed the institute of
Delta studies with the view to become a leading institution,
accumulating and disseminating comprehensive scientific and scholarly
data base on the deltaic and wetland studies in the Niger Delta in
comparison with other deltaic communities in Africa and the world.
Indeed, Western Delta University is on the march to making education
for all, as the dreams of the founding fathers is becoming achievable,
top management staff are out to showcase the stuff they are made of,
considering the growth of the institution with efforts being on top
gear for the University to move to its permanent site within the next
couple of weeks as the expensive and well crated halls awaits
students.
Kparobo Ehvwubare, is a journalist, public analyst wrote from
Oghara-Delta State, could be reached in 07067546856,
marksbare@gmail.com