By Austin Ogwuda
DELTA State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has approved the appointment of Prof. Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba as the new Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, thus putting an end to the heated contestation that greeted the selection/screening process.
The approval was conveyed in an official statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the appointment takes effect from 1st December, 2024.
The Townhall gathered that after screening, three most qualified candidates including Prof Asagba were recommended from the University to the Governor to select from.
Recall that a group known as the Integrity Academic Bombers (IAB) had while the selection process was ongoing had accused the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof Andy Egwunyenga over alleged impartiality, which he (VC) promptly denied.
The group faulted the requirements for those aspiring to be Vice Chancellor, saying there was a ploy to make it impossible for some Lecturers in some Faculties in the College of Health Sciences to be excluded.
The group wondered why the VC described their well-researched report as fake news, claiming that there are Professors with PhD in the Faculties of Clinical Medicine, Basic Clinical Sciences, and Dentistry.
While the Lecturers at the Faculties of Clinical Medicine, Basic Clinical Sciences, and Dentistry are said to be ready to defend their qualifications for the plum position, others from other Faculties also say the Lecturers there were not qualified.
The group warned that “His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor Delta State needs to know that Prof Egwunyenga might plunge Delta State University into a major crisis, and the earlier the University VC is called to order, the better”.
A Professor of Environmental Biochemistry and Toxicology, Prof. Asagba had previously served the University in various capacities, including serving as Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration as well as Provost of the defunct Asaba Campus.
He succeeds the present Vice Chancellor, Prof Andy Egwunyenga.
