Gov Oborevwori employed over 600 academic, non academic staff in two years - Prof Tonukari

Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has employed over 600 academic and non academic staff in tertiary institutions in the past two years of this administration.

Higher Education Commissioner in the state, Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari, made the disclosure on Wednesday during a flagship public affairs program "Orientation Panorama" on Voice of Delta Radio.

He disclosed that many parents in Nigeria, are craving to transfer their children to Delta State owned Universities and other tertiary institutions, because of the high level of moral discipline, standard of academic programmes, as well as conducive learning environment put in place by the State government.

Prof Tonukari, commended governor Oborevwori for prioritising adequate funding of education since he assumed office in 2023. He said the governor built and commissioned the faculty of Agric and Environmental Science buildings in Dennis Osadebey University, Administrative Building, Vice Chancellor's Lodge, Registrar and Chief Liberian official residences at the Southern Delta University Ozoro, as well as other mega infrastructure development at the Delta State University Abraka, University of Delta, Agbor and other tertiary institutions in the state.

He said the name change from Delta State University of Science and Technology Ozoro to Southern Delta University Ozoro, was to enable the University authority to develop more academic programmes for accreditation by the National Universities Commission, NUC, while assuring Deltans that Faculty of Law and other professional programmes shall be added to the University as a result of the name change.

The State Higher Education Commissioner further disclosed that the Southern Delta University campus in Orerokpe is making tremendous progress, and that in the near future, Faculties of Law, Art and Social Sciences would be added to complement the Faculty of Management Sciences, noting that the state education sector is undergoing major reforms, transformation and staff capacity building.

In the area of research and inventions, Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari disclosed that a prototype fuel powered light generator was developed by some lecturers in collaboration with students at the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, and that the state government is encouraging the institution to make a perfect prototype that can be mass produced in the future.

As for the suspension of the Delta State Polytechnic Rector in Ogwashi-Uku, Prof Emmanuel Achuenu, the Commissioner for Higher Education pointed out that the Governing Council acted ultra vires their powers by suspending the Rector. He said the Chairman of the Governing Council is only superior to the Rector at Convocation ceremonies and during governing Council meetings.

He stated that the Board or the Chairman cannot, and should never exercise disciplinary actions on the Rector, pointing out that only the State Governor who is the Visitor to the Polytechnic, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has the right and privileges to suspend or discipline the Rector, while the Governing Council can only recommend disciplinary measures to the Visitor for consideration.

Prof Tonukari said lecturers in Delta tertiary institutions don't go on strike because they are well paid, far better than their counterparts in the country, and that the state government constantly funded accreditation of all academic programmes in tertiary institutions.

He noted that since inception of Oborewvori administration over 40 academic programmmes have been added to the State Universities, pointing to show the governor's unwavering commitment to upscaling the standard of education in the state.

"Many parents across Nigeria are craving to transfer their children to Delta State Universities and other tertiary institutions, because of the standard of education in the state. Our students graduates on time. A four year programme is a four year programme. 

"Lecturers don't go on strike in Delta State. They are well paid, far better than their counterparts in other states of the federation. They can never participate in ASUU strikes, no reason to do that.

"Delta tertiary institutions admit the highest number of 100 level students in the country as a result of increased academic programmes and number of tertiary institutions in the state. We are far ahead of other states in Nigeria. 

"In the past year we admitted over 25,000 students and there are now over 90,000 students and counting in Delta State owned tertiary institutions.

"Delta State Government fund all academic programmes accreditation for universities and other higher institutions. And more academic and non academic staff would be needed in the higher institutions, particularly in the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education," he said.

Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari commended the good governance strides of governor Oborevwori in the past two years and counting, noting that his pragmatic leadership has practically positioned Delta in the front roll of economically bouyant states in Nigeria and  Sub-Sahara Africa.

He posited that Delta under Governor Oborevwori  consistently remained number one in infrastructure development, best in good governance, especially in prudent management of resources, openness, accountability, transparency and fiscal discipline.