*That Prof. Sunny Ijirhevwe Awhefeada has taken over as the second substantive Vice Chancellor of Southern Delta University, Ozoro is no longer news. What is trending however is what students and staff of the university are expecting to see in the next few months of his assumption of office.

At the handing over ceremony, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada highlighted briefly what he brings to the table, when he affirms that he would transform the university into “a model and pace setting 21st century university.” He added assuredly, “Take it to the bank. You can verify . We did that magic when l was Dean of Faculty of Arts at Delta State University , Abraka. We also did so for the two years l was Dean of Post graduate Studies at same DELSU, Abraka, and we are going to replicate that in Southern Delta University , Ozoro”.

Both postgraduate and undergraduate students that have passed through his tutelage at DELSU, Abraka can testify that this is not a mere boasting but a promise meant to be kept. Without casting any form of aspersions on the works of his predecessor, Prof. J. S. Oboreh, one can easily see the direction of Prof. Awhefeada’s focus.

Whereas Prof. Oboreh was able to build structures and introduce many new programmes, Prof. Awhefeada is expected to focus on building more hostels, and staff quarters. As at today less than five percent of the staff and students population are resident on campus. This is one area that Professor Awhefeada is expected to focus attention.

Another area that Prof. Awhefeada is expected to focus attention is qualitative student population. This will be made possible by raising the cut off marks and improving on the admission̈ and screening criteria.

This will be followed by a formidable workforce. Professor Awhefeada is expected to put square pegs in square holes and round pegs in round holes. A situation where GST 111 would be taught by librarians and mass communicators as seen in some varsities is not expected to happen under Prof. Awhefeada, whose bread and butter is the English Language.

In this era of solar energy, Prof Awhefeada is expected to save money by providing solar power across the university in preference to the huge sum of money the university currently spends on purchase of diesel and petrol to power the big and small generating plants in the university which cover selective areas of the institution.

One key area of Professor Awhefeada’s administration will be human capital development. Both academic and non-academic staff will be opportune to improve on their qualifications and deepen their knowledge through scholarship opportunities, sponsorships, fellowships, exchange programmes etc.

Prof. Awhefeada is also expected to woo companies and philanthropists to endow professorial chairs in various departments of the institution.

Furthermore, Prof. Awhefeada is expected to establish new departments and programmes. The Faculty of Arts with only three departments for exampl, is expected to increase the departments to 10 with the introduction of B. A. French, B. A. Chinese B. A. Linguistics, B. A. Urhobo, B. A. Philosophy, B.A. Religion and Cultural Management, B. A. Music, etc. All these will be linked to digital humanities to reflect the modern trend.

Prof. Awhefeada is also expected to build new structures at the Orerokpe campus which currently hosts the Faculties of Arts, Administration and Management, Law, and Social Sciences. The available buildings would soon be grossly inadequate when the current 100 level students pass to 200 level.

The task before Professor Awhefeada is gargantuan but he is equal to the it. We are confident that under his watch the current NUC ranking of Southern Delta University will move from three digits to two digits. Once again congratulation to the man who knows how to do what at the right time. The Eagle has indeed landed! Just as I boasted and affirmed when Rt. Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori was coming on board that he would surpass all the achievements of his predecessor in office to those around me then, I whole heartedly affirm that Prof Sunny Awhefeada would deliver on his mandate. Bravo! The triumph of a hero has just begun!

*Joseph Obaro Ikupa writes in from the Department of English, Southern Delta University, Ozoro.*