A Delta-born Ijaw leader, Chief Mulade Sheriff (PhD), has appealed to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to consider appointing an Ijaw indigene as the next Vice-Chancellor of the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, in the interest of fairness and inclusivity.
Mulade, who made the call in a statement on Tuesday, said the appeal was necessitated by what he described as the continued lack of Ijaw representation in the leadership of state-owned universities, despite the ethnic group’s contributions to the establishment and development of such institutions.
He lamented that no Ijaw person had, so far, occupied the position of Vice-Chancellor or any other principal officer in the state’s newly established universities, noting that this had fuelled feelings of marginalisation among the people.
According to the Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom, the Ijaw ethnic nationality boasts several qualified professors with proven academic excellence, administrative experience and professional integrity who are capable of steering the affairs of the university.
Mulade expressed confidence that appointing an Ijaw Vice-Chancellor would not only correct the perceived imbalance but also foster a sense of belonging for the Ijaw people within Delta State’s educational framework.
He noted that Ijaw indigenes were part of the management councils that facilitated the establishment of some of the state universities and also contributed significantly to the development of the Southern Delta University.
“Ijaw members were part of the Management Council that facilitated the establishment of these universities and contributed to the development of Southern Delta University. The Ijaw community has several qualified candidates, professors with experience, some of whom have served the Delta State Government and have academic integrity, administrative competence and professionalism. We have several qualified professors with impeccable administrative and academic acumen,” he said.
The activist further urged the governor to use the opportunity of the next Vice-Chancellor’s appointment to address what he described as long-standing neglect of the Ijaw people, particularly in hosting state universities, despite their economic contributions to the state.
“It is imperative to call on our dynamic governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to give the Ijaw a sense of belonging, having been deprived of hosting any of the state universities in spite of their economic contribution. The appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from Ijaw extraction would address the perceived neglect of the Ijaw community and promote representation and inclusivity in university leadership,” he added.
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