Governor Oborevwori Rewards UNIDEL First-Class Pioneers; Overall Best Student Receives ₦5 Million

The Management of the University of Delta has disbursed the Delta State Governor's cash awards to the pioneer set of First-Class degree graduates from the University.

The disbursement which was personally performed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stella Chiemeke took place on Monday, 23 and Wednesday, 25 February at the Senate Chamber of the University.

Addressing the visibly elated graduates, the Vice-Chancellor described the Governor’s gesture as unprecedented and deeply inspiring. "This is not just a reward,” Prof. Chiemeke noted. “It is an investment in brilliance.”

She hailed the First-Class graduates as “shining ambassadors of UNIDEL, embodiments of discipline, sacrifice and intellectual excellence."

At the heart of the occasion was Miss Victoria Uzoma who received ₦5 million cash as the Overall Best Graduating Student, while other First-Class holders were awarded five hundred thousand naira each.

In a rare moment of institutional transparency, the Vice-Chancellor used the occasion to publicly clarify a discrepancy that occurred during the convocation ceremony regarding the number of First-Class graduates. She stated that the University produced a total of 52 First-Class graduates as against the 30 earlier declared during the convocation ceremony.

She urged the graduates to be patient while the University Management interfaced with His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, for the release of the N500,000 to the remaining 21 First-Class holders.

Responding, the graduates thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his kind gesture and appealed to him to favorably consider spreading the award to the remaining 21 graduates. 

They agreed that the Governor's cash award of N500,000 each, earlier intended for only 30 persons be split equally to cover all the First-Class graduates while awaiting possible augmentation from the Governor. This agreement was reached during a meeting of the graduates and the University Management. 

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the presentation of N5 million and N285, 000 in cash to the overall best graduating student and the other 51 First-Class holders respectively.

Present at the occasion were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Prof Patrick Ijeh; the Registrar, Barr Richmond Omagbemi; the Bursar Dr Sunny Ikeogwu; the University Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Vera Okonoko; the Dean, Students Advisory Services, Dr Rufus Ijeh, and a host of others.