Abraka Metro

Mixed Concerns Trail Students’ Rating Of Abraka Housing System

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2026

By Princess Ayegha

Students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, have expressed mixed views over accommodation conditions in both university-managed and privately owned hostels, with concerns ranging from rising hostel fees and irregular electricity supply to maintenance challenges, while others praised improved security and essential facilities on campus.

Findings by this reporter revealed that although on-campus hostels offer relatively stable electricity, water supply and security, many students living in off-campus hostels continue to struggle with annual rent increases, poor maintenance and inadequate public utilities.

A 300-level Mass Communication student, Deborah Ogbaro, who lives in a bedsitter at Igbo Quarters, said her annual rent increased to ₦450,000 this academic session yet she faces the challenges of leaking ceilings, pest infestation and prolonged power outages.

“The major challenge is the light issue because there has been a power outage for about two months”, Ogbaro explained.

“It affects my studies because I need to charge my phone regularly to keep up with school activities and information.”

Despite the challenges, Ogbaro acknowledged that the hostel provides water, electricity and security and described the road leading to the hostel as accessible throughout the rainy season.

Another off-campus resident, Happiness Osakwe, who lives at Samboba Hostel along Ivie Road near Campus III Small Gate, also narrated how her annual hostel rent rose from ₦200,000 to ₦250,000.

Osakwe complained of unstable electricity, limited water supply, poor drainage and bad roads during the rainy season.

According to her, electricity is available only two to three times a week, while water is supplied at similar intervals.

“The accommodation has made it difficult for me to concentrate on my studies. Frequent noise, overcrowding and irregular electricity have reduced my study time,” she said.

Although she described the hostel as secure and conveniently located close to campus, Osakwe appealed for improved infrastructure and maintenance.

In contrast, students living in university-managed hostels described their accommodation as more organised and conducive for learning.

A 400-level medical student and hostel executive at the DELSU Female Medical Hostel, Renne, said uninterrupted access to electricity and water, as well as the hostel’s proximity to lecture halls, had made campus life easier.

“We have constant light, and whenever there is an electricity issue, the school provides generator power twice daily. Once there is light, there is water, so I don’t think we are missing out on anything,” she said.

She explained that standard rooms accommodate four to five students and that hostel executives, porters and supervisors promptly attend to students’ complaints. However, she noted that adjusting to roommates with different personalities remains one of the few challenges of hostel life.

Another on-campus resident, Sharon, who lives in the university’s NDDC Hostel, also commended the stable electricity supply, regular sanitation and proximity to lecture venues.

She, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the location of the communal kitchen and restrictions on cooking inside hostel rooms.

“Carrying cooking utensils and food items from my room to the kitchen every time is stressful. I hope management will allow students to cook outside their rooms instead,” she said.

Sharon added that the hostel’s security arrangement, including a 10 p.m. curfew and the use of hall identification cards, has contributed to the safety of residents.

The Female Medical Hostel Porter, Mrs. Ugegeh, said the hostel currently operates with four water tanks, newly installed ceiling fans and 24-hour security, while cleaners, porters and supervisors ensure the environment remains clean.

She disclosed that students pay ₦80,000 as hostel fees and ₦5,000 as hall dues, bringing the total accommodation-related payment to ₦85,000. According to her, the hostel fee was reduced from ₦82,000 charged in the previous academic session.

Mrs. Ugegeh identified students’ failure to comply with hostel rules as the major challenge confronting hostel management.

“The only challenge we have is that some students do not always obey hostel rules or keep the environment clean despite repeated reminders,” she said.

She explained that complaints are first reported to porters before being escalated to supervisors, the Hall Warden and, where necessary, the Dean of Students’ Affairs.

She added that the Female Medical Hostel, established during the 2004/2005 academic session, accommodates female medical students from different parts of Nigeria and currently has 50 rooms, each housing four to five students.

The findings suggest that while university-managed hostels continue to provide more stable facilities and structured management, students living in privately owned hostels still face challenges related to rising accommodation costs, irregular electricity supply and maintenance.

A visit by our reporter to the Abraka Main Market revealed that the prices of staple food items such as garri, yam, beans, maize, tomatoes, pepper and vegetables have increased significantly in recent months.

Abraka Metro

Oborevwori, DELSU VC Hail Peretomode at Valedictory Lecture

Published

1 week ago

September 26, 2026

Media Conversation

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.

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.

Meanwhile, Delta State University, Abraka has released its approved UTME cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 admission session.

The release comes barely 24 hours after the state-owned institution released its first batch of admission for the incoming session.

Abraka Metro

Prof. Emmanuel Akarah Laid To Rest Amid Tears, Tributes

Published

1 month ago

August 29, 2026

Media Conversation

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.

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.

Abraka Metro

Tension As GLK, Okada Collide In Abraka

Published

1 month ago

August 20, 2026

Media Conversation

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.