The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, has praised the former Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Victor Finipaya Peretomode, for laying policies that have contributed to the university’s growth and development.
Asagba spoke on Thursday during the 12th valedictory lecture of Peretomode at the 750 Lecture Theatre A, Site III of the university.
The DELSU Vice Chancellor said some of the policies introduced by Peretomode during his tenure were considered difficult and harsh at the time, but had subsequently positioned the institution as an enviable university.
He said Peretomode’s achievements as Vice Chancellor remained worthy of recognition, adding that the university had benefited from the decisions taken during his administration.
Asagba wished the former Vice Chancellor success in his future endeavours.
Delivering the lecture titled, “DELSU and the Burden of Expectation: The Challenges of Being Delta State’s Premier University and Rethinking Governance for Sustainable Excellence,” Peretomode identified three major burdens confronting the institution as an aspirational burden, political burden and operational burden.
The professor of Educational Administration and Higher Education said the challenges were compounded by the expectations placed on DELSU as the first university established by the Delta State Government.
According to him, the university is expected to bring university education closer to Deltans, absorb the increasing number of qualified candidates seeking admission, provide a platform for advancing the state’s developmental priorities and produce graduates who are morally sound and employable.
He added that DELSU must also meet the requirements of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards for undergraduate programmes.
To address the challenges, Peretomode proposed what he called “The Peretomode Tripartite Model of Governance for Sustainable Excellence in Delta State University.”
The model, he explained, rests on three key pillars: leadership integrity, funding predictability and quality assurance.
He argued that the adoption of the model would help DELSU effectively manage the expectations associated with its status as Delta State’s premier university while sustaining academic excellence.
Peretomode said DELSU had made considerable progress but still had significant work ahead.
“DELSU as a university has come far but its journey is far from complete. The burden of expectations it carries is not a weight to be feared, but a responsibility to be fulfilled,” he said.
Also speaking, the Delta State Governor and Visitor to DELSU, Sheriff Oborevwori, described Peretomode as an academic who had made significant contributions to university education in the state.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, said Peretomode’s wealth of experience would remain valuable to the state and the university even as he bowed out of the services of DELSU.
Oborevwori also pledged continued support for the university.
Peretomode joined the services of DELSU in 1992 as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Management and Foundations and became a professor in 1996.
He later served as the university’s 7th substantive Vice Chancellor from 2014 to 2019.
The valedictory lecture also featured the launch of two books authored by Peretomode, a special musical rendition by the Department of Music and a cocktail reception organised in his honour.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the Vice Chancellor of University of Delta, Agbor, Prof. Eric Chiedu Eboh; Vice Chancellor of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada; DELSU Deputy Vice Chancellors and principal officers; provosts, deans, directors, staff and students.
Others included the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri; Rector of Delta State Marine Polytechnic, Burutu, Prof. Emmanuel Okoro; former DELSU Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire; former Dennis Osadebey University Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Robert Ikomi; and DESOPADEC Executive Director of Projects, Chief (Dr) Ebenezer Okorodudu.
Also present were Delta business executive, Chief Tunde Smooth, members of the DELSU College of Chaplains, friends and family members of Peretomode, including his wife, Dr (Mrs) Otaroghene Peretomode.
