The Chairman of Ika South Local Government, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, last week, said his administration placed a high premium on effective education, which, he said, was the bedrock of enduring growth and development of any society.
Speaking in his office when he hosted executive members of Non -Academic Staff Union of the University of Delta, Agbor, who paid him a courtesy visit, Engr. Ehiwarior, reiterated the importance of effective education in nation building, emphasizing that Nigeria would be able to take its rightful position in the comity of nations when the effective education of her citizens becomes a priority.
He said that it was a thing of joy to know that the University of Delta, Agbor, which came into existence a few years ago, had become one of the most recognized universities in Nigeria, drawing students from far and near.
“Before the institution was elevated to its present status, the College of Education, as it was, had almost become moribund before the immediate past Governor- of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, came to the rescue, and upgraded it to a university.
“Today, the story has changed. The upgrade has increased social economic activities in Agbor, with the rising population of students every year. Alihame, which is the immediate host community, and, indeed, the entire Ika South Local Government Area is reaping the numerous benefits of having such a higher institution in its domain.
“Today, we are all witnesses to the profound impact the institution is making in our immediate environment and beyond, with influx of people into Agbor.”
Engr. Ehiwarior used the opportunity to appreciate Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the courage and magnanimity in upgrading the school from a College of Education to a university, which, today, is thriving and surpassing expectations.
The Chairman also lauded the university’s management for the excellent job they were doing to ensure the institution continued to meet its mandate of raising well disciplined and academically sound individuals who would in turn contribute to effective nation building.
“According to him, “The Prof. Stella Chiemeke- led management team is doing excellently well to positioning the University of Delta to become one of the globally -recognized higher institutions of learning in Nigeria. I must commend her for her proactive approach in running the school.”
He noted that one of the ways to drive development anywhere in the world was through reckonable investment in the effective education of the citizens, stressing that more needed to be done in terms of its funding.
Ehiwarior described university lecturers and other staff as highly privileged as they hold the responsibility in moulding and nurturing future leaders of the country.
He, therefore, admonished them to threat students with love and a sense of responsibility for them to be nurtured into responsible adults who could then sustainably contribute to effective national development.
He promised to always support any noble endeavours of the union, and thanked them for their intention to name the proposed NASU Secretariat after him.
Earlier, the Chairman of NASU, UNIDEL chapter, Comrade Joel Ikwu, praised Engr. Ehiwarior for the much he had achieved within six months in office.
He said they were happy to identify with him in his push to make Ika South Local Government Area better.
He said, “we have no doubt that, under your leadership, Ika South will witness remarkable growth and development.
“What you are doing is not by chance. It is a testament to your dedication, vision and unwavering commitment to the progress of our LGA.
It is in appreciation of your dynamic and result- yielding governance that we intend naming the proposed new NASU secretariat at University of Delta, Agbor, “Comrade Jerry Ehiwarior NASU Complex, in honour of your exemplary leadership and your contributions to the betterment of our community.”
Press Unit,
Office of Chairman,
Ika South Local Government,
Agbor
