OZORO/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday inaugurated a series of landmark infrastructural projects at Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro, as part of activities marking the institution’s maiden convocation ceremony.
The projects commissioned include a block of science laboratories, the Faculty of Computing Complex, the Pa James Odhokpa Izomor Engineering Workshops comprising 10 fully equipped units donated by Engineer Godwin Izomor, male and female hostels, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences building constructed by the Delta State Government.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to God for the milestone and commended the university for its rapid growth since its establishment.
“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 noted that the day’s activities began before 9 a.m. with the commissioning of key facilities, including laboratories and workshops for the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, as well as 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 represented a meaningful 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 also commended the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Oboreh, the Governing Council and the management team for the prudent and transparent management of the university’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said had translated into visible infrastructural progress.
“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, reaffirming the institution’s autonomy to deploy its IGR for developmental purposes.
Reflecting on the Faculty of Medical Sciences project, the Governor recalled inspecting the facility last year and pledging to provide 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 project as critical to advancing medical education and scientific research in the state.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Jacob Oboreh disclosed that several of the projects were executed through internally generated revenue and direct labour, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality delivery.
He thanked Governor Oborevwori for his consistent support and funding, which he said had enabled the institution to achieve significant infrastructural and academic milestones within a short period.
The commissioning of the projects was a major highlight of the maiden convocation ceremony, underscoring the state government’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education and providing modern facilities to enhance learning and innovation in Delta State.
