Abraka Metro
The Transient Academic History Of DELSU, ABRAKA, SITE 2
By Agunze Maxwell
Every great university has a nerve centre—a place where decisions are made, records are kept, knowledge is preserved, and the pulse of institutional life beats loudest. At Delta State University, Abraka, that place is Campus 2, also known as Site 2. Unassuming in appearance but immense in function, this campus sits at the quiet intersection of administration and academia, holding within its grounds the memory of everything DELSU has been and the machinery of everything it continues to be.
To understand Campus 2, one must first understand the institution it serves. The origin, growth, and development of Delta State University trace back to the defunct College of Education, Abraka, which was established in February 1969 and later metamorphosed into the Abraka Campus of the defunct Bendel State University in 1985. When Bendel State was split and Delta State emerged in 1991, a new university had to be born. On 30 April 1992, the Executive Governor of the state, Olorogun Felix Ibru, established the autonomous Delta State University, Abraka. Campus 2 became one of the foundational pillars on which this new institution would stand.
From its earliest days, Site 2 was designated to carry the administrative and intellectual weight of the university. The site houses the Administrative Block, Students’ Affairs Office, Senate Block, Bursary, the main Library, and the Health Centre. In addition, it is home to Abraka Hall, a male hostel, as well as Ethiope Hall, Council Hall, and Eco Hostel, three female hostels, along with staff quarters. Banking services on the site are provided by Ecobank Nigeria Limited.
This concentration of functions is no accident. Campus 2 was conceived as the backbone of the university’s operations—the site where a student’s very first formal contact with the institution, through the Admissions Office, and their last, through the Bursary at graduation, would both take place. The site covers a great percentage of administrative work, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Admissions Office, and the University Library, while also hosting academic activities and the school’s ICT building, responsible for the institution’s information and communication technology functions.
Perhaps no single feature of Campus 2 tells its educational story more powerfully than its library. The library, being an integral part of the university, grew and developed alongside the institution itself, eventually serving twelve faculties. For decades, generations of DELSU students—from the university’s founding class of 1992 to students of the 2010s—walked through the doors of the Campus 2 Library to write term papers, prepare for examinations, and pursue research that would shape their careers and communities. It was more than a collection of books. It was the intellectual conscience of a young university finding its footing.
Then came a historic shift. Under the leadership of Prof. Stephen O. Uwaifo, the Delta State University Library, which had long been domiciled in Site 2, relocated in March 2022 to an ultra-modern Mega Library building, its permanent home in Site 3. The move marked the end of an era for Campus 2, but not a diminishment. The new library, commissioned after years of institutional growth, has a seating capacity of 4,500 persons, a relaxation area, an eatery section, phone-charging stations, an elevator, and a virtual library accessible within and outside the premises. Campus 2 had, in a sense, incubated that ambition—housing knowledge until the university grew large enough to give it the home it deserved.
Beyond the library, Campus 2 has been the site of student governance and welfare since the university’s founding. The Students’ Affairs Office located here has processed the concerns, petitions, welfare needs, and social life of over twenty thousand students per academic session. The Senate Block, where the highest academic decisions of the university are ratified, stands as a reminder that Campus 2 is not merely administrative in the bureaucratic sense, but academic in the deepest sense: it is where the rules of learning are made and upheld.
Like many Nigerian public universities, DELSU has experienced periodic disruptions arising from funding constraints and industrial action by staff unions, with state universities frequently operating with budgets below national benchmarks, affecting maintenance and resources. Campus 2 has weathered each of those storms—its Administrative Block processing resumption letters as readily as it once processed suspension notices, its Bursary disbursing funds when they came and recording deficits when they did not.
Yet through every disruption, Campus 2 has endured as the steady, unglamorous engine of institutional life. While Campus 3 dazzles with its faculties and new e-library, and Campus 1 holds the memory of the institution’s teacher-training origins, Campus 2 holds something rarer: the institutional memory of how DELSU has governed itself, sustained itself, and served its students across more than three decades.
In the history of Delta State University, Abraka, Campus 2 is not merely a location. It is a record of governance, of learning, and of a university’s long and continuing effort to become what it was always meant to be.
A former Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Victor Peretomode, has proposed a tripartite governance model to sustain excellence in the institution.
Peretomode proposed the model at DELSU’s 12th valedictory lecture held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the university’s 750 Lecture Theatre, Site III.
The lecture was titled, “DELSU and the Burden of Expectation: The Challenges of Being Delta State’s Premier University and Rethinking Governance for Sustainable Excellence.”
He said as the state’s premier university, DELSU carries triple burdens — aspirational, political and operational — which translate into expectations such as expanding access to university education for Deltans, accommodating qualified indigenes, advancing state-specific development priorities and producing morally sound and employable graduates.
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Peretomode, a Professor of Educational Administration and Higher Education, said the challenges could be addressed through his proposed “Peretomode Tripartite Model of Governance for Sustainable Excellence,” anchored on three pillars: Leadership Integrity, Funding Predictability and Quality Assurance.
He observed that DELSU has come far, but its journey is far from complete, adding that the burden of expectation it carries is not a weight to be feared, but a responsibility to be fulfilled.
In his remarks, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Visitor to the university, described Peretomode as an academic who contributed immensely to the development of university education in the state.
Oborevwori, who was represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, said the state would still need Peretomode’s wealth of experience as he bows out of service and assured of continued support for DELSU.
On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Samuel Asagba, lauded Peretomode’s achievements as former VC, noting that his policies, though considered harsh at the time, have placed the university in its present enviable state.
Asagba wished the valedictory lecturer the best in his future endeavours.
Highlights of the event included the launch of two books authored by the valedictory lecturer and a musical rendition by the Department of Music.
Peretomode joined DELSU in 1992 as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Educational Management and Foundations, became a Professor in 1996 and served as its 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor from 2014 to 2019.
The lecture was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of University of Delta, Agbor, Prof. Eric Eboh, Vice-Chancellor of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada, DELSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Edmund Atakpo, DELSU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Hilary Owamah, DELSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Douglasson Omotor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Delta, Agbor, Prof. Patrick Ijeh, Provost of Oleh Campus, Prof. Augustine Atonuje, DELSU Registrar, Mrs Rufina Ufiofio, DELSU Bursar, Mrs Otimeyin Ekakitie-Omajuwa, DELSU Librarian, Dr Josephine Onohwakpor, Provosts, Deans, Directors, staff and students of the university.
Also in attendance were the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, Rector, Delta State Marine Polytechnic, Burutu, Prof. Emmanuel Okoro, Delta business tycoon, Chief Tunde Smooth, Executive Director of Project, DESOPADEC, Chief (Dr) Ebenezer Okorodudu, former DELSU Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, former Dennis Osadebey University Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Robert Ikomi, members of DELSU College of Chaplains, friends and family members of the valedictory lecturer, including his wife, Dr (Mrs) Otaroghene Peretomode.
The release comes barely 24 hours after the state-owned institution released its first batch of admission for the incoming session.
By Ese Umukoro
The serene community of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka was thrown into mourning on Friday, 28th August, 2026, as the remains of Late Prof. Emmanuel Oghenebrorien Akarah, popularly known as, Don Spino, was committed to mother earth.
Speaking during the commendation service at Atscan Hall, Site II of the University, the Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Samuel Asagba, lamented that he received the sad news of the demise of the deceased on 8th of May, 2026 as a rude shock.
Asagba recalled the personal memories he shared with Akarah as a friend, eulogising his forthrightness, outspokenness and doggedness.
He stated that Don Spino contributed his quota to the growth of the University in different capacities since he was employed into the services of DELSU, adding that his legacy would not be forgotten in the history of DELSU because of his impact on both staff and students.
The Vice Chancellor thereafter led the University community to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased.
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In his commendation earlier, the Head of Department of Human Kinetics, Recreation and Sports Science, Prof. Ochuko Nabofa, eulogised Don Spino, calling him a colleague, a friend, a scholarly collaborator and ultimately an in-law.
Nabofa recollected how himself and the late Don Spino shared ideas, challenged each other intellectually and worked together in the pursuit of knowledge.
Nabofa concluded that Don Spino’s death has left a void in the Department of Human Kinetics, Recreation and Sports Science, in DELSU and in the lives of those who knew him.
He said the bond was further strengthened when in February this year, Don Spino’s cousin, Hon. (Double Chief) Godday Ewenuvie, got married to his younger sister whom he raised as a daughter, thus making them in-laws.
In her oration, the Dean of Faculty of Education, Prof. Florence Ugorji, said Don Spino was a man of the people whose life impacted positively on all who came across him.
Represented by Prof. Canice Ikeorji, the Dean further lamented that the deceased was an asset to the faculty and prayed for the repose of his soul.
Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-DELSU), Comrade Paul Opone, bemoaned the loss of Don Spino.
In his tributes, Opone recalled the contributions of Don Spino during congresses and how he fought for the Union during its period of crisis.
The union Chairman stated that the passing of Don Spino was a challenge to him and the Union as it would be difficult to get his replacement.
Opone thereafter led members of the Union in singing the solidarity song for a fallen comrade.
The commendation service also witnessed the filing past the casket of Don Spino led by the Vice Chancellor before the remains of Don Spino were taken to Uruekpo Quarters in Evwreni kingdom for interment.
Late Professor Emmanuel Oghenebrorien Akarah joined the services of DELSU in 1995 as Graduate Assistant and rose to the rank of Professor in 2021.
Earlier, a Service of Songs in his honour was held at the DELSU’s Sports Complex on Wednesday, 26th August, 2026.
Dignitaries present at the commendation service included the Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Edmund Atakpo, the University Registrar, Mrs Rufina Ufiofio, represented by Mr Emmanuel Okoro, the University Librarian, Dr (Mrs) Josephine Onohwakpor, Director of Ceremonials, Information and Public Relations, Prof. Enajite Ojaruega, Chairman of ASUU-DELSU, Comrade Paul Opone, Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments, the University Public Relations Officer, Mr Henry Eseka, family members of the deceased, Professors, staff, students, and others from within and outside the university community.
Those present during the funeral at Evwreni kingdom included the Vice Chancellor of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Edmund Atakpo, immediate past Provost of Oleh campus, Prof. Elo Ibagere, Directors including the Director of Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CES), Prof. Onoriode Emoyan, Deans of Faculties including the Dean of Arts Faculty, Prof. Nelson Edewor, Heads of Departments, politicians, business moguls, friends, family members of Don Spino and other mourners.
By God’stime Oyeh
An accident involving a GLK 350 and a commercial motorcyclist happened around 11:30 a.m., reportedly after a case of wrong-lane driving.
According to eyewitnesses, the motorcyclist, popularly known as an “Aboki” bikeman, was coming from the Campus 2 area when he was allegedly hit by the GLK 350 car.
The little damage to the car caused some tension at the scene as both parties tried to explain what happened.
Eyewitnesses said the motorcyclist seemed to be at a disadvantage during the confrontation with the car driver- who was clearly trying to oppress the motorcyclist which led vigilantes and other bystanders to step in and calm things down before it got out of hand.
Things reportedly got more heated when some area boys arrived and tried to help settle the issue. The GLK 350 driver defended himself and shared his version of events, but some witnesses felt his explanation didn’t quite match what they saw happen.
As arguments continued and tempers rose,and with the car driver still wanting to oppress the motorcyclist, the Vigilantes took it upon themselves to caution him since he wasn’t trying to make peace…the matter was eventually taken to the police station for proper investigation and resolution.
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