By Amaechi Okwara Asaba
Delta state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, at the weekend charged tertiary institutions in the country to utilise alternative sources of funding to bridge the funding gaps confronting them. Okowa, who stated this at the 11th Convocation ceremonies of the Delta State University, Abraka, said tertiary institutions should seek and mobilise substantial additional resources aside from the subsidies they received from government to meet their funding needs. He said: “Th is administration is mindful of the funding gaps in our tertiary institutions. Despite the challenging economic environment, we have ensured prompt payment of staff salaries and worked hard to provide basic infrastructure. But as in anywhere else in the world, adequate funding is possible when the university is able to mobilise substantial additional resources aside from the subsidies they receive from government. “It is what enables universities to build fi rst class facilities and attract and retain the best talent in academics. Th is is the challenge before our tertiary institutions.
“Th ere is need to have wellstructured and professionally run fund raising offi ces with the capacity to diversify the funding sources, especially through robust endowment funds and alumni funding stream. While commending the Governing Council, Management and Staff of the University for their commitment to building a reputable institution, the governor assured them of government’s support to transform the university into an elite institution that places a premium on excellence in teaching and learning. He congratulated the graduands for successfully completing their programmes and urged all stakeholders including the students to maintain an atmosphere of peace, honest dialogue, mutual cooperation and respect for constituted authorities in our tertiary institutions.
Okowa directed that the overall best graduating student, Joshua Erubami, be given immediate employment as a graduate assistant in the institution and be encouraged to pursue his doctorate degree in the school. Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Delta State University, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, said Council had recorded remarkable achievements in the area of staff and student discipline, prudence in handling revenue and expenditure as well as protection of property. For his part, the Vice Chancellor Delta State University, Prof. Victor Peretomode, disclosed that a total of 8, 491 students graduated in the 2015/2016 academic session with 31 students having fi rst class.
