Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has directed the Vice Chancellor of the state owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Prof Allen Agih, to fish out and expel students who engage in cult activities.
Diri who gave the directive on Friday during the seventh combined convocation of the institution at Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state warned culprits to withdraw from the institution or be ready for expulsion.
Three graduates of the school have died recently from cult related violence at Amassoma and Gbarantoru in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
It was the second time in a week Diri had issued such warning after a similar directive to security agencies in the state and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice on Wednesday during the state executive council meeting to speedily prosecute anyone arrested for cult related crimes.
The governor restated his call on students to avoid cultism stressing that there was no room for such activities in universities, but rather it was a place for character building and learning.
He said: ‘Recently, I spoke to the Vice Chancellor about the resurgence of cultism in this university. May I use this opportunity to warn those who did not come here for learning and character building to on their own withdraw.
‘There should be no room for cultism in this university. I have given the Vice Chancellor a charge as the Visitor to this institution, and as government, I have also charged all security agencies in the state. Anyone found engaging in cultism in this university, do not hesitate to apply the sanctions’.
Diri assured the institution that 25 years after it was established by the Diepreye Alamieyeseigha administration, his government would actively contribute to the narrative that would shape it for the next 25 years.
He said the groundbreaking of the 5,000-seater convocation arena and the Faculty of Environmental Sciences building which he did before the ceremony commenced were tangible expressions of his government’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence.
The governor assured that under his administration, facilities in the institution would adhere to accreditation standards set by the National Universities Commission and the relevant regulatory councils and boards.
‘As I reflect on this momentous occasion, my joy is indeed amplified by the knowledge that, as a government we are in our modest way actively contributing to the narrative that will shape the next 25 years for this pioneer tertiary institution.
‘It is notable that the Faculty of Environmental Science complex boasts a comprehensive range of facilities, featuring 24 classrooms, 18 design studios, six modeling studios, six workshops/laboratories, and a state-of-the-art lecture theatre with a seating capacity of 300’.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of NDU, Prof Allen Agih, thanked the governor for appointing him as the fifth Vice Chancellor of the institution and that it was his first convocation ceremony.
According to Agih, 6,536 graduands took part in the ceremony including 5,726 for Bachelor’s degrees with 69 First Class honours.
There were also 810 higher degrees graduands including 16 professional diplomas, 191 post- graduate diplomas and 458 Master’s degrees.
Also, the Pro Chancellor, Dr Matthew Seiyefa, said NDU had produced adequate manpower knowledge base that has contributed significantly to its growth and development.
Seiyefa noted that the institution had evolved to become the melting pot of ideas and initiatives that were vital for navigating climate change and economic diversification.
Also present at the events were the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr Fred Agbedi, member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, Felix Ayah, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Peter Akpe, cabinet members and other top government officials.
