\u201cOne generation cannot enter into a contract to stifle the
\nintellectual and moral development of a later generation by making it
\nimpossible for the latter to expand its knowledge, to expose and
\neliminate error, and thereby to become ever more enlightened. To do so
\nwould be to commit a crime against human nature, whose destiny is to
\ngrow and progress? Later generations are utterly justified in ignoring
\nor overturning such an agreement as unjust and illegal\u2026An individual
\nmay for a time hesitate to enlighten himself. But opt out of such
\nenlightenment entirely, either for oneself or one\u2019s descendant to ride
\nroughshod over the sacred rights of mankind\u2026..Immanuel Kant.
\nWhen I got the invitation for the world press conference for Western
\nDelta University, Oghara, I was so excited owing to the fact that the
\nworld would now be aware of the unsung achievements of this young but
\ndynamic institution.
\nIn that fateful day, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Austin Ovigue Asagba in
\ncompany of other management staff took time to acquit the press on
\nsome of the achievements of the institution since its inception.
\nAs usual this piece would be in futility, if I do not give a brief
\nhistory of this noble citadel of learning. The University was founded
\nby a group of Urhobo academics and investors in the knowledge of
\nindustry, who decided to take advantage of the liberalization of the
\nNigerian higher ities. The group obtained the application form from
\nthe National University Commission, NUC for the proposed private
\nUniversity to be sited in Oghara. To realize this vision, the group
\nestablished a body called Urhobo advancement Foundation (UAF); it was
\nregistered in 2005 with the corporate affairs commission as a
\nnon-profitable organization limited by Guarantee.
\nOne aim of the foundation was to set up educational institutions to
\nempower Nigeria and Africa with the knowledge of technological skill
\nto be competitive in this era of new globalization. The body was also
\ninspired by various challenges thrown up by the dynamics situation in
\nthe Niger Delta region as the economic heartbeat of Nigeria and West
\nAfrica sub-region. The UAF decided that a first class rate University
\nwas needed to under focused the researches on the peculiar
\nbiodiversity and socio-economic resources of the Niger Delta. The name
\nWESTERN DELTA UNIVERSITY reflected its vision.
\nWhen UAF family was set up, the family of His eminence, Lat Godfrey
\nMene Otubu of Oghara, had plans to immortalize his memory through the
\npromotion of education. The UAF and Mene Otubu Trust had a fruitful
\ndiscussion on the University project. Thus, Mr. Dere Otubu, an
\nindustrialist agreed to serve as the promoter of the University while
\nthe UAF is the proprietor. An academic planning committee, later
\nProject implementation Committee, (PIC) was set up in May, 2004, to
\nprepare the academic Briefs and other relevant documents for
\nsubmission to the National University Commission. The committee headed
\nby Prof. David T. Okpako of the University of Ibadan and a fellow of
\nthe academy of science. Chief James Erhuero, JP, an engineer and
\nformer secretary of the Delta State Government was in charge of
\nphysical projects and Allied matters. The firm of Gerik Associates
\nbased in Benin City, Edo State was commissioned to coordinate a
\nconsortium of experts to prepare the master plan. Prof Andrew
\nOnokerhoraye, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin
\nheaded the team that produced the Environmental Impact Assessment for
\nthe project.
\nIn October 22-24, 2006, SCOPU undertook its final verification visit
\nto the proposed University. The revised Academic Briefs, University
\nlaws and master plan were thoroughly examined at the interactive
\nsessions between SCOPU and members of the Project Implementation
\nCommittee. All outstanding legal documents were scrutinized for
\naccuracy. SCOPU advised the PIC to produce all relevant documents for
\nthe NUC to consider and forward to the federal executive council for
\nassessment for a license. On May 17th, 2000, the University was
\ngranted approval to operate as a private University by the Federal
\nGovernment of Nigeria.
\nSince the vision of the institution was spelt out to serve as first
\nrate institution committed to the pursuit of excellence in all areas
\nof academic leaning, technology development and social relevance,
\nwhile the mission was to produce men and women with the view of the
\nknowledge required for the resolution of national and international
\nchallenges.
\nToday, this institution has not deviated from its vision with the
\nrigorous pursuit of its mission where its materials (graduates)
\ncurrently compete favorably in their various field of human endeavors.
\nIn eight of its existence, the institution has achieved a lot in the
\narea of manpower, braining and its researches, student-lecturer ratio
\nis adjudged to be the best among private universities in Niger Delta
\nregion. These achievements were is a result to the dogged efforts of
\nmanagement staff, stakeholders and indeed the host communities.
\nWestern Delta University has graduated five sets without break. It is
\nnoteworthy that two of its graduates qualified for the Delta State
\nGovernment scholarship for first class graduates of the State origin
\nin any country of their choice around the world. Recently, precisely
\nAugust 13th, 2015, the institution was granted full license to operate
\nas private University, with all courses fully accredited by National
\nUniversity Commission, NUC.
\nThe National University Commission, NUC approved two new colleges viz:
\ncollege of law and college of Humanities to commence in the new
\nacademic session. The institution has also proposed the institute of
\nDelta studies with the view to become a leading institution,
\naccumulating and disseminating comprehensive scientific and scholarly
\ndata base on the deltaic and wetland studies in the Niger Delta in
\ncomparison with other deltaic communities in Africa and the world.
\nIndeed, Western Delta University is on the march to making education
\nfor all, as the dreams of the founding fathers is becoming achievable,
\ntop management staff are out to showcase the stuff they are made of,
\nconsidering the growth of the institution with efforts being on top
\ngear for the University to move to its permanent site within the next
\ncouple of weeks as the expensive and well crated halls awaits
\nstudents.
\nKparobo Ehvwubare, is a journalist, public analyst wrote from
\nOghara-Delta State, could be reached in 07067546856,
\nmarksbare@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cOne 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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n