- Lauds Oborevwori, VC’s Leadership Qualities
Our weekend Pointer Guest is the President of the Student Union Government (SUG), University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, Delta State, Comrade Peter Ighodaro.
In this interview with Miss Snow Danley, he talked about students’ welfare and the need for students to be focused and embrace hardwork. He described UNIDEL as a great institution of learning, lauding the state government for establishing the institution. Excerpts.
Please may we know you more?
My name is Peter Ighodaro. I am a 400-level student of Mass Communication, I am from Edo State. I was elected into office few months ago to lead the students.
What motivated you to run for the position of SUG President?
What motivated me to run for the SUG presidential position was the fact that I have cultivated a long lasting vision that would build a structure for students’ advocacy. My primary goal as the SUG president is to ensure that students’ voices are heard and improve their welfare such as their cost of living, accommodation and ensure that students learn in a conducive environment. I will also ensure a great cordial relationship between the students and the school management to enhance growth and development.
How Will You Describe UNIDEL As An Institution?
The University of Delta is a great Citadel of learning and I will say one of the things UNIDEL is known for is academic excellence and strong moral values, character building and how it is strictly enforced on the students. Code of dressing is one impact the school has made definite as students are not allowed to dress up unruly in the school premises. In this regard, we applaud the contribution of the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and other leaders for the rapid growth of the institution, though, we are asking for more. I thank the Delta State Government for establishing UNIDEL, surely, it has given hope to many youths and students to study.
We also want to use this opportunity to thank the governor for appointing Mrs. Stella Chiemeke as the Vice Chancellor of UNIDEL. She is a visionary leader who is doing a lot to enhance teaching and learning.We thanked her for ensuring that students learn in a conducive atmosphere.
Do you have more messages for the governor and the VC?
Yes, I would like to say to our dear Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, that he is doing well and appeal to the government to consider investing more in the construction of hostels within the campus at it will greatly ease the burden of students who are presently paying high rents for off campus hostels and also ensure safety of the students. The high cost of accommodation in the campus has pushed most of the students to seek for cheaper options outside the school premises, thereby exposing them to security risks and other hazards.
And to my able Vice Chancellor, Professor Stella Chiemeke, I say working under her leadership has been exceptional. She has been a great mother to the students of UNIDEL and her works and achievements are phenomenal. It has been a great honor to serve during her tenure and I deeply appreciate her unwavering commitment and support for the growth of the University of Delta.
What ways do you intend to improve students’ welfare?
Welfare is not just a promise we give students. It is a driven action we push. In line with this, we organised seminars, academic development programmes and events students can engage to boost social and academic experience.
We are also using our positions to seek the support of the local, state and federal governments, including philanthropists to address some of the needs of the students including construction of more hostels to address the outrageous cost of off-campus rents.
What Are your achievements so far as SUG President?
The present SUG leadership has done a lot for students, We created a structure that will help bring feedbacks to ensure that students complaints and opinions from departments are brought to the school management with the aim of finding solutions to them. We also ensure that students pay fees on instalment basis due to economic situation parents are facing.
We make sure any challenge students are facing is tackled within the short possible time.
Our major achievement is ensuring that peace reign in the school and students are taught the right values.
I strongly believe that with time, we will do more for the students and I promised to do my best for the development and growth of both the student and the institution.
What Is Your General Message To Nigerian Students?
One of my favourite quotes is by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe which says ‘Give me my youth and I will pay any price for it’ with this, I will advise students to focus more on their studies. They should cherish the opportunity and focus on their studies before it is too late. As future leaders they must equip themselves with more knowledge at this young age.
I will also advise my fellow students to avoid cultism, other criminal acts and ensure they do their parents and Nigeria proud with their knowledge and strength.
Therefore, they must embrace integrity, hardwork and never lose sight of being the best.
