The Vice Chancellor of the University of Delta, Agbor, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, has urged lecturers to prioritize merit over ethnicity and nepotism in university elections.
She emphasized that this approach will foster the emergence of capable leaders who can drive the university forward.
Prof. Chiemeke made the call during the election of a new Dean for the Faculty of Social Sciences in the University.
The university chief executive, represented by Prof. (Mrs.) Regina Arisi, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to upholding the principle of free and fair elections for faculty deans, as approved by the Governing Council.
Prof. Chiemeke highlighted the significance of periodic elections as a standard democratic practice in universities, allowing lecturers to choose their leaders and hold them accountable.
The outgoing Dean, Prof. Alexander Obidike Naiho, thanked the Vice Chancellor for approving the election and commended the contestants for their maturity and camaraderie.
He urged faculty members to extend the same support to the new Dean-elect to sustain the faculty’s pursuit of excellence.
At the end of voting, Prof. Patrick Ijeh of the Department of Mass Communication emerged victorious, polling 31 votes ahead of Prof. Ben Agoha’s 15 votes.
The Vice Chancellor thereafter declared Prof. Ijeh as the Dean-elect of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Delta, Agbor.
The election was witnessed by internal members of the university’s Governing Council, including Dr. Pally Ejime Agidi and Dr. Ferdinand Iweriebor.
