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Delta State Governor and Visitor to Southern Delta University (SDU), Ozoro, Sheriff Oborevwori , on Saturday approved a raft of critical infrastructural projects as the institution held its maiden convocation ceremony, graduating 1,231 students, including four First Class degree holders.

The historic ceremony marked a major milestone in the evolution of Southern Delta University, underscoring its rapid growth since establishment.

Speaking at the event, Governor Oborevwori thanked God for the successful take-off of the university, describing the maiden convocation as “the first of many remarkable achievements” for an institution built on resilience, hard work and excellence.

Earlier, the governor commissioned several completed projects, including laboratories and workshops for the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, male and female hostels, the Faculty of Computing complex, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences building executed by the Delta State Government.

Oborevwori paid tribute to his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for the foresight in establishing the institution in 2021 as Delta State University of Science and Technology, noting that he presided over the legislative process as Speaker of the State House of Assembly at the time.

“Despite criticisms driven by narrow political interests, the benefits are now clear. Thousands of students who may not have had access to university education have been admitted, trained and graduated,” the governor said.

He explained that the amendment of the law renaming the institution as Southern Delta University was designed to expand its academic scope and facilitate the accreditation of more programmes, in line with the administration’s commitment to inclusive and responsive education.

The governor also approved key requests presented by the Vice-Chancellor, including the provision of additional ambulances, equipment for the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, hostels for medical students, a Faculty of Law complex, completion of the Computer-Based Test Centre, perimeter fencing and other critical infrastructure.

Commending Engineer Godwin Izomor for offering automatic employment to the overall best graduating student, Oborevwori announced a cash award of ₦5 million for the best graduating student and ₦1 million each for the other three First Class graduates, stressing that excellence must always be rewarded.

Of the 1,231 graduates, four earned First Class honours, 421 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 796 with Second Class Lower Division, while 10 fell into other categories.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Jacob Oboreh described the maiden convocation as a watershed moment, tracing the institution’s journey from a College of Agriculture to a Polytechnic, and finally to a full-fledged university in 2021.

He disclosed that the university has expanded from six faculties with 45 programmes to 11 faculties with 89 programmes, all approved and accredited by the National Universities Commission.

Oboreh highlighted extensive infrastructural development, including new faculty complexes, laboratories, hostels, internal road networks, staff quarters, perimeter fencing and the procurement of over 900 computers. He also acknowledged the donation of 10 fully furnished workshops by Engineer Izomor and the completion of abandoned projects, including a 1,200-seat auditorium.

The Vice-Chancellor appealed for further government support, particularly for medical accreditation requirements, an independent power plant, additional hostels, the establishment of a teaching hospital in Ozoro, perimeter fencing and completion of the Computer-Based Examination Centre.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ambassador Godson Echegile, thanked the Ozoro and Orerokpe communities for their support and commended the Convocation Lecturer, General Alexander Ogomudia (rtd), for his lecture titled “Beyond Oil: The University and the Future of the Niger Delta.”

In his valedictory speech, the overall best graduating student, Frank Akaine, expressed gratitude to God, the Delta State Government, university management, lecturers and parents, describing the pioneer class as trailblazers who endured the uncertainties of a new institution with courage and determination.

The ceremony attracted dignitaries, traditional rulers, political leaders, academics and community stakeholders, marking a defining chapter in the history of Southern Delta University, Ozoro.