THIS DAWN — Western Delta University (WDU), Oghara, Delta State, has marked a major milestone with the graduation of its first set of PhD students during its convocation ceremony held last Saturday.
About ten doctoral candidates successfully completed what the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Augustine Ovuoronye Ikelegbe, described as a rigorous academic journey involving examinations, seminars, proposal defences and oral thesis presentations assessed by reputable external examiners.
Prof. Ikelegbe noted that the achievement signals WDU’s transition into the league of research-driven institutions capable of producing scholars who will independently conduct cutting-edge research and nurture the next generation of university lecturers and future professors.
In addition to the doctoral cohort, the university awarded master’s and bachelor’s degrees to hundreds of students.
“Voices of innovation… strong ambassadors
Reaffirming WDU’s commitment to affordability, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that the institution maintains modest fees payable in instalments.
Prof. Ikelegbe noted that this is in line with the founding vision of its Visitor, former Delta State Governor Chief James Onanefe Ibori.
He highlighted ongoing scholarship support from the Otemu Education Foundation, the NDDC, and forthcoming awards from the Prince Adewoye Adebayo Foundation and the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Addressing the graduates, Chancellor Donald Duke urged them to understand the three stages of life: the first 25 years devoted to learning, the next 25 to earning with integrity, and the rest to giving back to society.
Pro-Chancellor Prof. Eghosa Osaghae encouraged graduands to be voices of innovation and strong ambassadors of WDU.
The ceremony also conferred honorary doctorates on 2023 SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo and retired Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau.
WDU announced major infrastructural advancements, including a donated Central Laboratory Block, a nearing-completion College of Engineering complex, and ongoing construction of the College of Health Sciences by the NDDC.
A Convocation Lecture by Prof. Kyari Mohammed on overcoming insecurity in Nigeria crowned the well-attended event.
