Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday inaugurated series of landmark projects at Southern Delta University, Ozoro, as part of events marking the institution’s maiden convocation ceremony.
Among the projects commissioned were a block of science laboratories, the Faculty of Computing Complex, the Pa James Odhokpa Izomor Engineering Workshops comprising 10 fully equipped workshops donated by Engineer Godwin Izomor, male and female hostels, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences building constructed by the Delta State Government.
Inaugurating the projects, Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to God for the milestone and lauded the university for its steady growth within a short period.
“I am very pleased to be here today. First and foremost, I thank Almighty God for making this occasion possible, and I commend Southern Delta University for this remarkable milestone,” he said.
The Governor disclosed that he began the day’s activities before 9 a.m. with the commissioning of key facilities, including laboratories and workshops for the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Computing Complex.
He described as particularly inspiring the engineering workshops built through private initiative in memory of Pa James Izomor, noting that the gesture reflected a worthy investment in education and human capital development.
“While many people invest their wealth in luxury and showmanship, this family chose to invest in education. This is deeply commendable, and I pray that God will continue to bless them,” he said.
Governor Oborevwori commended the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Oboreh, the Governing Council and management for their prudent and transparent management of the University’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said had translated into tangible infrastructural development.
“I am particularly impressed with the prudent use of Internally Generated Revenue by the University management. I encourage Vice-Chancellors of other universities to emulate what is being done here,” he added, while reaffirming that the institution is permitted to control and deploy its IGR for developmental purposes.
Reflecting on the Faculty of Medical Sciences project, the Governor recalled inspecting the building last year and promising that the new faculty would be provided with a befitting structure and conducive learning environment.
“Today, I am glad to say that this promise has been fulfilled. The quality of work delivered here speaks volumes. This is indeed a very significant project and clearly reflects the steady expansion and growth of the university. This is a promise made and a promise kept,” he said.
He described the Medical Faculty project as critical to the advancement of medical education and scientific research in the state.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Oboreh, disclosed that several of the projects were executed through internally generated revenue and direct labour, a strategy that ensured cost-effectiveness and quality control.
He thanked Governor Oborevwori for his consistent funding and unwavering support, which he said had enabled the young institution to achieve significant infrastructural and academic milestones within a short period.
The inauguration of the projects stood out as a major highlight of the historic maiden convocation ceremony, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education and providing modern facilities to support learning and innovation in Delta State.
