A Delta State-born Ijaw leader and National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Chief Sheriff Mulade, Ph.D, has implored the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to consider and appoint an Ijaw man as the next Vice-Chancellor of the state owned institution—the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.

According to him, the call is driven by concerns over the lack of Ijaw representation in the university's leadership, despite the Ijaw community's contributions to the institution's establishment.

He pointed out that no Ijaw individual has held a Vice-Chancellorship or principal officer position in the state's new universities, and argued that qualified Ijaw candidates with academic integrity, administrative competence, and professionalism are available for the role.

The Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom and activist expressed the confidence that appointing an Ijaw Vice-Chancellor would address perceived neglect and promote inclusivity in the university's leadership, giving Ijaw people a sense of belonging in Delta State's educational scheme.

"Ijaw members were part of the Management Council that facilitated the establishment of these universities and contributed to the development of Southern Delta University," Mulade said.

On qualified candidate, the peace ambassador opined that, "Ijaw community has several qualified candidate's, professor with experience, some have served Delta State government and has academic integrity, administrative competence, and professionalism.

"We have several qualified professors with impeccable administrative and academic acumen," he said.

He added that; "It is imperative to call on our dynamic governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to give Ijaw, who have been deprived from hosting any of the state universities in spite of her economic contribution, a sense of belonging.

"The appointment of a Vice-Chancellor from Ijaw extraction would address the perceived neglect of the Ijaw community and promote representation and inclusivity in university leadership."

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