Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, on Friday, handed down a marching order to the Vice Chancellor of the state owned Niger Delta University, (NDU), Amassoma, to flush out any student caught engaging in cult activities in the institution.
The governor gave the directive during the NDU 7th combined convocation following recent clashes by rival cult groups.
It was the second time in a week that the governor has issued such a warning.
He gave a similar directive to security agencies in the state on Wednesday, during the state executive council meeting to speedily prosecute anyone arrested for cult-related crimes in the state.
He restated his call for students to avoid cultism, stressing that there was no room for such activities in universities, but rather it is a place for character building and learning.
He said: “Recently, I spoke to the vice chancellor about the resurgence of cultism in this university. May I use this opportunity to warn those who did not come here for learning and character building to on their own withdraw.
“There should be no room for cultism in this university. I have given the vice chancellor a charge as the visitor to this institution, and as a government, I have also charged all security agencies in the state. Anyone found engaging in cultism in this university, do not hesitate to apply the sanctions.”
Gov. Diri assured the institution that 25 years after it was established by the Diepreye Alamieyeseigha administration, his government will actively contribute to the narrative that will shape it for the next 25 years.
He said having done the groundbreaking of the 5,000-seater convocation arena and the faculty of environmental sciences building before the ceremony commenced, these were tangible expressions of his government’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to academic excellence.
He assured that under his administration, facilities in the institution will adhere to accreditation standards set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the relevant regulatory councils and boards.
“As I reflect on this momentous occasion, my joy is indeed amplified by the knowledge that as a government, we are in our modest way actively contributing to the narrative that will shape the next 25 years for this pioneer tertiary institution.
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“It is notable that the faculty of environmental science complex boasts a comprehensive range of facilities, featuring 24 classrooms, 18 design studios, six modeling studios, six workshops/laboratories, and a state-of-the-art lecture theatre with a seating capacity of 300,” he added.
Earlier, Prof. Allen Agih thanked the governor for appointing him as the 5th vice chancellor of the institution and that it was his first convocation ceremony.
The vice chancellor said 6,536 graduands took part in the ceremony, including 5,726 who bagged Bachelor’s degrees with 69 first class honours.
There were also 810 higher degrees graduands, including 16 professional diplomas, 191 post- graduate diplomas and 458 Master’s degrees.
Also, the Pro- Chancellor, Matthew Seiyefa, said the NDU had produced an adequate manpower and knowledge base that has contributed significantly to its growth and development.
He noted that the institution had evolved to become the melting pot of ideas and initiatives, vital for navigating climate change and economic diversification.