Azani, Idoye Win UNIDEL Congregation Seats, Join Governing Council

By Ewere Okonta, PhD

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Agbor, Delta State - Comrade Azani Nwabukwu and Mrs Blessing Idoye have emerged as the elected representatives of the teaching and non-teaching staff respectively at the Congregation of the University of Delta, Agbor (UNIDEL), paving the way for their representation on the university’s second Governing Council.

The election, held at the 1,000-capacity hall of the university’s Main Campus, was conducted in an atmosphere charged with anticipation as members of the Congregation gathered to elect their representatives in accordance with the law establishing the university.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eric Eboh, arrived at exactly 1:20 p.m. and immediately called the Congregation to order.

Addressing the visibly tense gathering, Prof Eboh said the sole business of the meeting was to elect two representatives - one from the teaching staff and another from the non-teaching staff - to represent the Congregation on the second Governing Council.

“We have only one item for this Congregation, and that is to elect two representatives that will represent the teaching and non-teaching staff from this Congregation at the 2nd Governing Council of UNIDEL,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor, apparently sensing the charged atmosphere, urged staff to channel their enthusiasm towards the development of the university rather than political manoeuvring.

“I wish we were enthusiastic for the university as we are enthusiastic for this meeting. We all should note that we are here to work and not play politics,” he said.

He further observed that the mood in the hall suggested that the Congregation was not prepared for a consensus arrangement.

“From what I’m seeing now, you people are not ready for a consensus arrangement; therefore, we will do an election,” Prof Eboh declared.

He, however, assured the contestants and the entire Congregation that the outcome of the election would not affect his working relationship with whoever emerged victorious.

“But before then, let it be on record that I will work with any of you that emerges victorious,” he said.

That declaration set the tone for the election, which subsequently proceeded peacefully and transparently, underscoring the democratic process adopted by the university administration.

For the non-teaching staff position, Mrs Blessing Idoye was returned unopposed after her nomination attracted no rival candidate.

The teaching staff position, however, witnessed a contest between Comrade Azani Nwabukwu and Dr Ferdinand Iweriebor.

At the conclusion of the ballot, Azani emerged victorious with 354 votes, defeating Iweriebor, who polled 185 votes.

The result effectively places Azani and Idoye as the Congregation’s representatives on the second Governing Council of UNIDEL.

Senate Elects Four Representatives

The development follows the earlier election of four representatives by the University Senate, in accordance with the law establishing UNIDEL.

Those elected by the Senate are Prof. Samuel Ojogbo, Dr Mrs Florence Omumu, Dr Anthony Ukpene and Dr Onyemachi Ugboh.

With the Congregation and Senate representatives now emerging, the composition of the university’s second Governing Council continues to take shape.

The council was earlier inaugurated by the Governor of Delta State and has Prof. Victor Peretomode as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman.

Other members of the council are Rear Admiral Peter Eluma, Prof. Ebele Egwunyega, Dr Roland Oritsejafor, Mrs Joy Enwa, Prof. Ben Oghojafor and Prof. Patrick Oromareghake.

The latest Congregation election therefore marks another significant step in the institutional development of UNIDEL, as the university consolidates its governance structures and prepares its second Governing Council to provide strategic direction for the young institution.

More significantly, the peaceful conduct of the election demonstrated that robust competition and institutional democracy can coexist with the shared responsibility of advancing the university’s interests.

For the staff of UNIDEL, the message from the Vice Chancellor was clear: the contest may end at the ballot box, but the work of building the university continues beyond it.

Dr Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media, a family-values advocate, teacher and writer. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.