By Eseoghene Emuke
A popular youth leader in Delta State, Comrade Scott Oghenekaro, was on Friday awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Administration and Planning by the Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.
Oghenekaro, who hails from the Ughelli South local government area of Delta State, was honoured with the prestigious award at the 7th combined convocation ceremony on Friday.
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) senior staff prior to bagging PhD had picked up NCE, B.Ed., and M.Ed. degrees from various institutions, including the College of Education, Agbor, and Delta State University, Abraka.
Oghenekaro, who has been hailed by friends and relations for the new feat, dedicated the degree to late elder statesman and former federal commissioner for information, Chief Edwin Clark, his maternal uncle, and his immediate family.
He noted that he decided to pursue a PhD owing to his love for education and push from Chief Clark and expressed joy for the completion of the programme despite daunting challenges that confronted him during the period.
Dr. Oghenekaro, who is maternally from Kiagbodo in Burutu, was full of appreciation to God Almighty for his guidance and provision during his studies.
He enjoined youths in the Niger Delta region, specifically Delta youth, to emulate his drive and determination to pursue their education so as to provide solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the oil-rich region.
Meanwhile, congratulatory messages have been pouring in for Dr. Oghenekaro from friends and political associates for bagging the highest educational degree from one of the prestigious universities in Nigeria.
Among those to congratulate the new doctorate holder was the Udu council chairman in Delta State, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, who described Oghenekaro’s successful convocation as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Administration and Planning as a source of pride for Urhobo and Niger Delta youths.
Oyibode highlighted the dedication and resilience required to attain such a scholarly milestone and quoted the revered poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, saying, “The heights great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the midnight.”
The Udu council chairman enjoined youths in Udu and other parts of the Niger Delta to draw inspiration from Dr. Oghenekaro’s journey and strive for greatness in their respective fields.
Also felicitating with Oghenekaro is a former president of the National Union of Urhobo Students (NUUS) at Auchi Polytechnic and Ughievwen youth ambassador, Comrade Obaro Mukoro, who challenged youths in the Niger Delta to emulate Dr. Oghenekaro’s quest for education.
Comrade Mukoro noted that with the degree, Dr. Oghenekaro can now sit with the brightest minds in society globally and provide direction and solutions to challenges confronting the people of the Niger Delta from the angle of educational administration.
