Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Saturday approved automatic employment for Ilebe Joshua, the overall Best Graduating Student of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka.
Joshua graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy with a 4.83 CGPA.
Governor Oborevwori, who approved the automatic employment at the 16th Convocation of the university, challenged graduates not to think only of getting paid jobs but to think of becoming entrepreneurs.
Governor Oborevwori said: “As you launch out into the world today, it is my earnest expectation that you will put to good use the academic knowledge and life lessons you have garnered during your sojourn here.
“Do not think only of getting a paid job; I challenge you to be entrepreneurial in your approach to life. Money is a reward for creating value. One of the things a quality university education does for you is that it makes you see challenges as part of life.”
Governor Oborevwori commended the university’s governing council and management for the impressive growth recorded by the institution over the years.
“This administration is also committed to sustaining timely and predictable delivery of academic programmes in the state’s tertiary institutions,” he added.
Governor Oborevwori, on arrival, had inaugurated the Faculty of Science Extension and the Microbiology Laboratory Complex built by the university.
Welcoming guests earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, said that a total of 4,776 students graduated from the 2022–2023 academic session, comprising 730 postgraduate degrees, 99 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, 522 Masters degrees and 109 postgraduate diplomas.
The graduands, according to him, include 3,611 first degrees, comprising 54 first class, 1,207 second class honours (upper division), 380 second class honours (lower division) and 380 third class honours.
At the ceremony, Prof. Chukwuemeke Peter Aloamaka was decorated as Professor Emeritus of the university, recognising his outstanding accomplishments as an academic scholar and administrator. At the same time, former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, was formally conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Letters of the university.