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By Our Reporter 

The Delta State Government has approved the construction of male and female hostels at the Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba, as part of measures to improve infrastructure and enhance students’ welfare at the institution.

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, disclosed this on Monday during a supervisory visit to the university to assess its development, challenges and immediate needs.

Tonukari, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Felicia Ronu-Orugboh, said the process for the award of contracts for the two hostel projects would commence shortly.

He said the projects underscored the commitment of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to providing conducive learning and living environments for students in the state’s tertiary institutions.

The commissioner congratulated the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Ovuete Aghalino, and Registrar, Mrs Florence Nweke, on their appointments, adding that Governor Oborevwori had also approved the constitution of a new Governing Council for the university.

He charged the management to identify and develop areas of comparative advantage that could give the institution national and international visibility, particularly its agricultural potential.

Tonukari urged the university to establish a flagship agricultural project capable of attracting national and international recognition while contributing to the socio-economic development of Delta State.

On students’ welfare, the commissioner directed the management to intensify sensitisation on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) scheme, stressing that students of DOU were eligible to benefit from the programme.

According to him, the scheme provides financial assistance to eligible students towards tuition fees, as well as a monthly stipend of N20,000, thereby reducing their financial burden and helping to prevent students from dropping out of school.

He urged the university authorities to ensure that eligible students were adequately informed about the application process and benefits of the scheme.

Tonukari also assured the management that issues raised during the visit, including the request for the university to be connected to the state-owned Independent Power Plant (IPP), would be presented to Governor Oborevwori for consideration and appropriate action.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Aghalino, welcomed the commissioner and his team and expressed appreciation to the state government for its continued support to the institution.

Aghalino said his administration had taken steps to restore sanitation, discipline and orderliness across the university since assuming office.

He also disclosed that some official vehicles had been refurbished and returned to service as part of measures to improve the institution’s operational efficiency.

The Vice-Chancellor, however, identified the high cost of electricity as one of the major challenges confronting the university, revealing that DOU spends more than N18 million monthly on electricity.

He said reliable power supply was particularly crucial to departments such as Anatomy, where teaching, research and practical activities require uninterrupted electricity.

Aghalino therefore appealed to the state government to facilitate the university’s connection to the state IPP, noting that the move would significantly reduce its energy expenditure and allow the institution to channel scarce resources into teaching, research and other academic priorities.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Oborevwori for the interventions in the university and appealed for sustained government support to enable the institution overcome its challenges and effectively fulfil its academic mandate.