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DELSU, Egwunyenga and Leadership

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Andy Egwunyenga

By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi

It is a pedestrian knowledge that the Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, on Saturday, April 29, 3023, held its 15th convocation that produced 58 first-class graduands with Obuseh Emmanuel Ewere of Electrical/Electronic Engineering emerging the Overall Best Graduating Student with a C.G.P.A of 4.91.

What is, however, newsy is that the week-long event, which was held with varying activities, has, more than anything else, revealed two separate but similar developments within the institution.

First, the convocation ceremony provided guests made up of parents, media professionals, development professionals and critical stakeholders the opportunity to come in contact with Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, the self-contained, result-oriented and quietly influential Vice Chancellor of the university.

Secondly and very key, through the celebration, guests got new awareness of how DELSU has through democratized academic and infrastructural provisions backed by transformative and visionary leadership, become the fourth-ranked best state-owned university in the country.

This particular claim is further evident in the institution’s permanent site (Campus Three), which is visibly dotted with world-class infrastructures and state-of-the-art learning facilities, with so many ongoing constructions nearing completion.

While it will not be characterized as an overstatement if a first-time visitor to the school describes DELSU as an institution that is headed for the top, one undiluted fact stands out; the sustainable development and the effects of the leadership Professor Egwunyenga has brought to the school will definitely live beyond him and his administration.

This particular understanding came into view recently after listening with rapt attention to his use of vivid evidence and carefully carved emotional match to demonstrate how humility, cordial relationship with staff (teaching and non-teaching staff) and support from the Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration in the state has assisted DELSU to achieve its national recognition and earned its pride of place in the comity of state universities in the country.

Let’s consider the particulars of these claims.

While addressing a press conference as part of programmes to mark the university’s 15th convocation ceremony at the institution’s conference hall, Egwunyenga, among other remarks, said DELSU recently recorded a significant breakthrough when all the 40 programmes presented to National Universities Commission (NUC) in the November/December 2022 accreditation exercise secured full accreditation.

He pointed out that accreditation of the programmes presented by the university to NUC happens to be the first time since the 31 years of existence of DELSU that full accreditation would be returned for such programmes in one fell swoop.

He stressed that all 80 programmes in the university have full NUC accreditation status, no interim accreditation, and no denial for any programme. This, again, is unprecedented in the history of the school and has only been made possible by the unwavering determination of the university administration and the entire staff to advance and reposition the institution for national and global recognition.

Going further, he announced that most recently, approval was sought and obtained from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to raise the university’s admission quota for the Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Programme from 75 to 120.

This was targeted at reducing the admission pressure that qualified students from Delta State and neighbouring states go through in getting admitted to study Medicine and Surgery at Delta State University, Abraka, noting that his administration met the admission quota for the MBBS Programme at 50 upon assumption of duty in December 2019.

Even as he stated that the first increase was from 50 to 75, Egunyenga said that obtaining approval from the NUC for the commencement of some new Degree Awarding Programmes, namely: Entrepreneurship Studies, Office & Information Management, Biotechnology, Public Administration and Medical Laboratory Science.

“Currently awaiting the report of NUC’s Resource Verification Exercise for the commencement of the Agriculture Business Management Programme and the Doctor of Pharmacy Programme, the University hitherto only ran the Bachelor of Pharmacy Programme,” he said, adding that Delta State University is pleased to announce to the Nigeria Scientific Community and the general public the approval of Benneth’s Joint Canada- Israel Research Program to be conducted in Delta State University.

The research team, according to him, is led by Dr Ben-Azu, Head of the Department of Pharmacology,  Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. His research interest spans the study of Neuropsychiatry (neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders) and Neuropharmacology, brain diseases, including schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and stress-related neuropathological conditions.

As part of efforts to further meet the institution’s research goal to help make the university the epicentre of multidisciplinary research to provide solutions to the problems of society, the Vice Chancellor said that DELSU is the development of aquafeed for sustainable aquaculture.:

“DELSU decided to use innovative and transformative aquaculture to bridge the huge gap between fish demand and domestic production as well as the non-readily availability of tilapia feed by signing two MoUs with the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU), Keelung and also with the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) to actuate a tripartite partnership between DELSU, NTOU and NIOMR’.

Prof. Egunyenga, who themed his press conference speech as Another bountiful harvest, said in the latest global ranking of Universities by Alper-Doger Scientific Index, DELSU was ranked as the 27th best University in Nigeria among the over 200 universities in the country and the 4th best among state-owned universities. Further analysis of the ranking he observed showed the school to be the best State University in the South-South and South Eastern part of Nigeria.

“Furthermore, another highly recognized global university ranking body, Webometrics, in their own latest ranking, placed the University as 194th out of 2087 Universities in Africa and 24th out of over 200 universities in Nigeria, based on verified Google Scholar Citations. According to the ranking, Delta State University recorded 56,443 citations, beating some highly rated Universities in the United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Turkey, Portugal, Canada, and some other more advanced countries. This again is consistent with the Alper-Doger Scientific Index ranking that earlier placed the University as the 27th best in the country and 4th best state-owned university,” the VC said.

On capacity building and innovation in the university, Prof. Egwunyenga said that in order to ensure compliance with the university’s global best practices and competitiveness over two years ago developed four policy documents to guide the conduct of staff, students and other stakeholders.

“These include Environment Policy, Security Policy, Plagiarism Policy and Sexual Harassment Policy. Two new policy documents have been developed this year. First is the Gender Policy initiated by the Centre for Gender and Development Studies (CGDS). The policy was the outcome of a summit on Women in Leadership and development hosted by CGDS in October 2021,” he said.

According to him, the policy aims at creating a clear framework to drive the development of practice and procedures that will ensure equal rights and opportunities for men and women in all areas and structures of the university, including students and staff.

It will promote and ensure gender equity, establish structures, programmes and mechanisms to empower men and women and transform gender relations within the university.

“Delta State University is committed to eliminating barriers to women’s development and shall declare its position boldly on gender issues within its community, nationally and internally,” Egwunyenga said.

He also pointed out that this year, the Senate also approved the Copyright Policy, which is consistent with the Nigerian Copyright Act,2022 to protect writer’s rights to secure fair compensation and acknowledgement for their creative labours while also establishing restrictions and exceptions to facilitate public access to works of arts. The Delta State University Copyright Policy deals with the issue of Ownership, Publication, External Use and Payment for an academic’s Intellectual Property.

Prof. Egwunyenga expressed the gratitude of the institution to the Visitor and Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for his unwavering support in funding the school and the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, for his inspiring leadership and for creating an enabling environment for the university administration to discharge its responsibilities in line with its statue, while also acknowledging the contributions of other distinguished members of the council.

Utomi is the Program Coordinator (Media and Politics), Advocacy for Social and Economic Justice (SEJA), Lagos. He can be reached via 08032725374

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Education

Mine Bitcoin and Dogecoin for Free With DL Mining! UK Compliance Platform Officially Opened

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Mine Bitcoin and Dogecoin

Traditional cryptocurrency mining often requires huge capital investment, complex equipment configuration, and high electricity costs. However, DL Mining is subverting this industry, providing users with simple, low-cost BTC and DOGE cloud mining services. As a legal platform certified by the British authority, DL Mining makes mining no longer limited by expensive hardware and technical barriers, and truly enables everyone to participate. With top-level security protection, minimalist operation experience, and stable daily income guarantee, DL Mining has become one of the most promising cloud mining platforms in the encryption field.

Functions of DL Mining
DL Mining is committed to creating a safe, efficient and profitable mining experience for all users. The core advantages of the platform include:

✅ Top security protection

Using McAfee® and Cloudflare® dual encryption technology to fully protect user data and asset security

✅ Completely transparent and zero fees

No management fees are charged, no hidden costs are required, and 100% of the income belongs to the user

✅ Stable mining guarantee

The server runs 100% stably, and cooperates with a 24/7 professional customer service team to ensure continuous profitability

✅ Flexible mining in multiple currencies

Supports 6+ mainstream cryptocurrencies such as USDT,USDC,BTC, LTC, DOGE, XRPand free investment portfolio selection

✅ Newcomer exclusive benefits

Sign up and get a $15 investment package, enjoy $0.6 free income every day, and start mining at 0 cost

DL Mining

How to start cloud mining for free with DL Mining?
DL Mining provides an easy-to-use cloud mining getting started guide. Users can start mining in three simple steps:

Step 1: Register an account get $15 bones

The creation process is very smooth and only requires an email address. After registration, users can immediately access DL Mining’s mining dashboard to monitor their earnings in real time.

Step 2: Select a cloud mining service provider.

DL Mining offers a $15 free mining plan to simplify the mining process without expensive mining hardware. This free plan allows users to earn $0.6 in passive income per day for free without taking any financial risk.

Step 3: Choose a mining contract

DL Mining offers a variety of contract options to meet the needs of different investment levels. Each contract guarantees a fixed return and predictable daily returns, ensuring a transparent and profitable mining experience.

LTC [basic  contract]: investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8

LTC [basic  contract]: investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $8, expiration income: $500 + $37

BTC [classic contract]: investment amount: $1,000, contract period: 10 days, daily income of $16, expiration income: $1,000 + $160

BTC [classic contract]: investment amount: $3,000, contract period: 16 days, daily income of $51, expiration income: $3,000 + $816

BTC[Advanced  contract]: investment amount: $10,000,contract period: 35 days, daily income of $215, expiration income: $10,000 + $7525

BTC[Super  contract]: investment amount: $50,000,contract period: 45 days, daily income of $1250, expiration income: $52,000 + $67080

Why DL Mining stands out in the field of cloud mining

Easy to get started

DL Mining is designed for both new and experienced miners. The user-friendly interface ensures that even people who know nothing about cryptocurrency mining can seamlessly participate and earn rewards.

Profitability and flexibility:

Unlike traditional mining models that require long-term commitments and large investments, DL Mining offers flexible contract terms and guaranteed returns. Users can withdraw earnings daily, reinvest for higher returns, or exit at any time.

Worry-free experience

DL Mining handles all technical issues of mining, including equipment maintenance and energy costs. This allows users to focus on maximizing earnings without worrying about the complexity of operations.

DL Mining leads the new wave of cloud mining: a new choice for compliant, efficient and sustainable crypto income

The rise of the cloud mining platform DL Mining is completely changing the way people participate in cryptocurrency mining, and its innovative model may become a key force in promoting industry change:

Four core driving forces of industry change

Authoritative compliance guarantee

As an official British certification platform, DL Mining has established industry trust with perfect regulatory compliance, effectively solving the most concerned security and reliability issues in the field of cloud mining.

Green mining practice

With efficient and energy-saving cloud solutions, DL Mining significantly reduces the carbon footprint of traditional mining and provides a sustainable way of participation for environmentally conscious investors.

Broad market prospects

With the surge in demand for passive income, retail and institutional investors have flocked to the field of crypto mining, indicating that innovative platforms such as DL Mining will usher in explosive growth.

Disruptive cost advantage

Compared with traditional mining that requires the purchase of ASIC mining machines and high electricity bills, DL Mining has redefined industry standards with a nearly zero-threshold participation method and a stable income structure.

Future Outlook

DL Mining is driving the entire industry towards a more convenient, safer and more profitable direction through its innovative cloud mining model. The zero-cost entry, stable daily income and extremely simplified user experience provided by the platform make it an ideal choice for BTC and DOGE mining enthusiasts.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to expand, DL Mining is expected to grow into a leading platform in the cloud mining field, providing investors with a high-quality alternative to traditional mining. Whether you are a novice who is new to crypto mining or a veteran player pursuing stable returns, DL Mining deserves your attention.

Explore new opportunities in cloud mining now

Download APP or Official website: dlmining.net

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Prodigy Finance Unveils NovaGrad AI-enabled Planning Tool for Students

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prodigy finance

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform giving LATAM and African students a clearer path to global universities known as NovaGrad has been launched by Prodigy Finance.

This tool allows users to plan their study-abroad journeys with confidence. The goal is to give every ambitious student the clarity, guidance, and confidence they need regardless of their background.

Many students still face steep tuition fees, shifting visa rules, complex admissions processes and limited access to reliable information.

The initiative has been created to make those first steps clearer and easier to manage. As interest grows across LATAM and Africa, universities have also stepped into the mission, recognising that students who arrive prepared are far more likely to succeed.

The platform is an AI-enabled planning tool that supports students throughout their study-abroad journey. It helps them explore courses, compare universities, understand their financial options and prepare strong, clear applications.

Students can research programmes across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and many other countries, understand what each university expects and organise their plans in one place.

With visa policies evolving globally, students can also turn to the platform to make sense of timelines, documentation and opportunities in newer destinations.

The tool supports students as they prepare to apply for university and their student visa. The platform helps them understand each step of the process and gives them the confidence to submit a strong, well-planned application.

“2025 has been one of our strongest years yet. We launched several scholarship programmes globally, and the interest from students across Africa and LATAM was remarkable.

“Even though each cycle can only support a small number of winners, our recent Prodigy Finance Awards granted close to $40,000 to eight international students, including learners from Africa and Mexico. It became clear that we needed a broader solution for this region,” the Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, Ms Sonal Kapoor, said.

”After nearly a year of work, we have launched a platform where students can explore multiple scholarship options, receive guidance on choosing universities and prepare their statements of purpose with confidence. That is why we built this service.

“It gives learners clarity about their choices and helps them plan their journey with purpose. This isn’t the kind of AI that replaces talent, it’s the kind that helps students unlock it,” she added.

Also commenting, the Head of Acquisition Strategy at Prodigy Finance and spokesperson for NovaGrad, Ms Mariana Alcocer, said, “I grew up in Colombia, and I know what it feels like to want something bigger than the place you grew up in.

“Many students across LATAM and Africa carry that same determination. They are ambitious and ready to work hard, yet the path in front of them isn’t always clear. The platform gives students the kind of guidance I wish I had in the past, a place where your options make sense and you don’t feel lost or alone.”

“Students aren’t looking for shortcuts. They want clarity. They want to know which universities align with their goals and how to present a strong application.

“The service brings all of that into one space. When students have the right tools, they move from doubt to confidence. That shift is exactly what the platform is built for,” she noted.

Prodigy Finance, a popular brand known for funding international students, has helped more than 45,000 masters students from 150 countries and has disbursed over $2.3 billion in funding.

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Human Rights Watch Urges FG to Protect Schools from Attacks

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kebbi schoolgirls

By Adedapo Adesanya

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Nigerian government to secure the safe release of students and teachers recently kidnapped in the country’s northwest and take concrete steps to protect schools and communities from further attacks.

In a statement on Tuesday, the rights body said, “The groups responsible for the kidnappings should immediately release the students and teachers they are holding captive.”

On November 18, 2025, over 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped by unidentified armed men from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state.

Just three days later, on November 21, about 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state.

“These mass school kidnappings once again lay bare the deliberate targeting of students, teachers, and schools in Nigeria’s deteriorating security environment,” said Ms Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The deepening crisis underscores the government’s failure to protect vulnerable communities.”

Human Rights Watch said it spoke with parents of two of the girls abducted in Kebbi state. Mrs Isa Nazifi, whose 13-year-old daughter Khadija Nazifi, a junior secondary school student, was among those abducted.

“I immediately took a motorbike and rushed to the school, where I found my second daughter, also a student at the school. She told me Khadija had been taken. We are extremely worried. My wife is in tears. I will stay here at the school until my daughter returns. If I go home without her, what will I tell my family?”

Also, Mr Sani Zimri, whose daughter, Salima Sani Zimri, is a senior secondary school student who was also abducted, said he had heard rumors from other parents of a possible attack by bandits the week before the incident.

“We developed confidence after seeing military operatives surveilling the area, only to realize that there were no security operatives on the premises for the entire three hours that the incident occurred,” he was quoted in a statement by HRW.

The rights group also noted that the development was not new and dates back as far as 2014 and has been occuring with successive governments.

Human Rights Watch said Nigerian authorities have failed to apply lessons from previous attacks to create early warning systems and other measures that could prevent these atrocities.

In response to the recent kidnappings, the government has promised to rescue the kidnapped students and hold those responsible accountable. President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to act swiftly to bring the girls back while also urging local communities to share intelligence.

The authorities have also shut down 47 federal secondary schools known as Federal Unity Colleges, and some states including Katsina, Taraba, and Niger have also closed schools or restricted school activities, particularly boarding institutions.

The rights group lamented that while these measures are aimed at protecting students, they have disrupted learning for thousands of children, denying them access to education and the social and psychological support schools provide.

“Without concrete measures to provide alternative learning opportunities to ensure continuity in their education, the students are at risk of falling behind academically and facing long term setbacks in their development,” the statement added.

It explains that since Nigeria is a signatory to the Safe Schools Declaration, the government should move with urgency to advance a proposal to introduce legislation to implement the Safe Schools Declaration.

“Children in Nigeria have the right to go to school without fearing for their lives,” Ms Ewang said. “Nigerian authorities should prioritize the safe release of the kidnapped children and their teachers and bring those responsible for their abduction to justice.”

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