The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, announced that the university has successfully navigated numerous challenges impeding its development,
He made this statement on Thursday in Abraka during the 6th Valedictory Lecture presented by the distinguished professor of Human Anatomy, Prof. Patrick Sunday Igbigbi, in celebration of his 70th birthday and official retirement from the university.
Prof. Egwunyenga attributed the positive development to the dynamic leadership of key figures over the years and praised Prof. Igbigbi’s impactful valedictory lecture, calling it a candid chronicle of the university don’s experiences and a wake-up call for all members of the university community to remain steadfast in their individual and collective commitments to the university’s continuous development.
He emphasized that the university’s growth relies heavily on the contributions of its people, both individually and collectively. The Vice Chancellor paid glowing tribute to Prof. Igbigbi, highlighting his instrumental role in the successes achieved under the current administration as Chairman of the University Advisory Council.
Egwunyenga congratulated Prof. Igbigbi on his 70th birthday and retirement, noting that while professors may officially retire, the knowledge they have generated through research and shared through their lectures will continue to benefit the university community and humanity at large.
In the valedictory lecture titled: ‘Reluctant, Academic: I Came, I Saw, Did I Conquer?’, the renowned Professor of Human Anatomy, revealed that he began his academic journey thirty-eight years ago as a Lecturer (Grade 2) at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He recounted his tenure at Mbarara University of Science at Technology, Uganda and the University of Malawi before answering to the home call bug and joining Delta State University in 2005.
While highlighting his contributions to the university system, Prof Igbigbi expressed his gratitude to God for giving him the opportunity to be the first substantive Provost of the College of Medicine of Delta State University, Abraka; the first Professor of Dermatoglyphics in Nigeria; former Provost of the defunct Asaba Campus of Delta State University, Abraka, and Chairman/Member of National Universities Commission Accreditation teams to many Nigerian universities.
He also served as an external examiner to many Nigerian and African universities. Additionally, he authored over 171 scholarly research articles in reputable journals and chapters in books.
As part of his recommendations, Prof. Igbigbi urged the university management to make inaugural and valedictory lectures compulsory for professors thereby allowing the academic community and larger society to benefit from their extensive knowledge and also help drive development.
After the valedictory lecture, the Vice Chancellor commissioned the Professor P.S. Igbigbi Dissecting Laboratory, established in the College of Medicine for use by medical students in Anatomy in honour of Prof. Igbigbi’s retirement.
