By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa
In a bid to stem brain drain and promote academic excellence, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved automatic employment for all First Class graduates of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), located in Sagbama Local Government Area.
Governor Diri made the announcement on Saturday during the maiden combined convocation ceremony for the 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2024 academic sessions.
He said the employment policy is in line with his administration’s commitment to human capital development and has already been implemented in other state-owned institutions such as the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma.
As part of the ceremony, Diri also announced the appointment of Dr Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III, the Ogba of Ogbaland in Rivers State, as the new Chancellor of UAT.
The governor used the occasion to commend his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for establishing the institution, describing it as a visionary step that has expanded access to tertiary education in Bayelsa and beyond.
He revealed that proposals were once made to shut down UAT due to funding concerns but said he chose instead to strengthen and expand it, reaffirming education as the state’s top priority.
Addressing the university’s infrastructural challenges, Diri pledged to complete the auditorium and Senate building projects before the end of his tenure.
He also assured that the government would tackle issues related to staff accommodation and provide transport vehicles for students and workers across UAT, NDU, and the Federal University, Otuoke (FUO).
On the university’s power supply needs, the governor disclosed that the 60-megawatt independent power plant being developed by the state government would supply electricity to the institution once operational.
Diri said: “ln line with our government’s policy, all First Class graduates of UAT will be offered automatic employment to ensure that we do not lose our best brains.
“This first combined convocation ceremony of UAT is momentous and historical. When l took over as governor, l had a lot of presentations, which included closing down the UAT. But l came to the inescapable conclusion that rather than shutting it down, l opted to establish more because education remains our number one priority.”
UAT Vice Chancellor, Prof Solomon Ebobrah, announced that out of 905 graduating students, 66 earned First Class honours.
Ebobrah appreciated the state’s increased monthly subvention but highlighted several outstanding needs, including perimeter fencing, improved staff and lecture theatre facilities, and adequate power supply.
Also speaking, Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman, Barr. Kemela Okara, thanked the state government for its support, particularly in securing full accreditation for all academic programmes from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
