Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun 4th Convocation Ceremony In Retrospect

"FUPRE 's  4Th  Convocation, Not Only Celebration Of Five Years Tenure As  Vice Chancellor, A Journey Of Growth And  Accomplishments." Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh 

The 4th Convocation of Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area Delta State has come and gone but the memory lingers on.The programme which was packed with lots of activities took place on the 15th March, 2025 at the open space of the campus with various dignitaries in attendance.Among those in attendance were the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu who was represented  by the Vice Chancellor Nigeria Maritime University, Okorenkoko, Prof.  Emmanuel Manakurogha, Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Monday  Okpebholo Traditional rulers among whom are:  the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM Monday Obukowho Whiskey, Udurhie I, captains of  industries, among others.

The Convocation which graduated 2020/2021, 2022/2023, 2023/2024 graduating students was the talk of the day as activities lined up were really educative. It was because of the activities lined up, prior to the day(15th March) the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh let the world know that  there there were lots of things that the participants in the programme stand to gain as it would not  be an ordinary convocation. He said, the University would showcase its ever research and Innovation Fair with the theme:" Innovation for Economic growth".This of course, was  showcased on Wednesday 12th March with the key note address by MD/CEO, Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi and the programme chaired by Executive Secretary, TETFUND, Arc Sonny Echono. In this programme, there was exhibition and pitching of products at Old Library Car Park. Then, of course, on Thursday, 13th March 2025, there was Career Fair 2025  with the theme:" An  Epoch Career Fair. 2025 - Empowering Alumni for Global Career Success a programme which keynote address was done by the Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence I.N.Ezemonye and the opening remark was done by the Acting Director, FUPRE Centre for Career Services, Dr. Mrs.Christiana  Ogwuche. These programmes were inspiring as participants  learnt a lot.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof.Akpofure Rim-Rukeh had earlier said the only solution to Nigeria's  economic problems is innovation anchored on academic researches. This, he said on Founder's day/Convocation lecture which has its theme:" Universities Are Innovation Hubs: Are we there ? The programme which was held on 14th March, 2025 in the University Auditorium had Dr Obichi Obiajunwa who spoke on the importance of researches by Universities  that would bring about innovation of the economy of any given society. According to him, through out history, Universities have played pivotal roles in shaping the course of human civilization. Erudite speaker said, starting from scientific discoveries to technological advancements that revolutionised industries, Universities have been at the heart of national and global development and engine of progress where knowledge is created, refined and translated into solutions that can address societal challenges.

In the course of the disclosing the activities of the days, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, the Vice Chancellor of the school emphasised the achievements the  institution has made in his five years of service.  This was to let the world know he has made significant impacts in the growth and development of the institution. He said:" May l further report that in the last two years, we have established linkages and affiliations with different organizations to strengthen and promote academic and research purposes". 

The Vice Chancellor attributed his success to the management staff and specifically thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigerià, His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu by  supporting with education loan fund, Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, the Pro- Chancellor and Members of the Governing Council, different donors and others whose efforts have helped the school so far to this level.

This is of  course, the Vice- Chancellor re- emphasized on the day of the Convocation when he said that institution which began with fifty (50) students in 2007 has over ten thousand (10,000) students across 24 academic programmes. His words:" We have also built a strong academic tradition and expanded most of our facilities thereby increasing our admission quota to 2117 in the just concluded admission exercise while maintaining a stable academic calendar".

Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh did not fail to intimate the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu that the institution faces lots of challenges despite the unprecedented growth and developments since his administration. He said, the University faces, among other things, poor funding as the institution needs infrastructural development, residential halls constraints, non- implementation of FUPRE Establishments  Act 2017 among others.

The 4th Convocation of the institution is so unique in that, according to the Vice- Chancellor,  its first set of Doctor of Philosophy students would graduate. As it stands, the school graduated three thousand, three hundred and sixty nine (3369) students, including two thousand six hundred and eighty three (2683) undergraduates and six hundred and eighty six (686) Post graduates  with fifty one(51) First Class Honours, Six (6) individuals received honorary degrees for their  outstanding  contributions towards the growth of the school.

On the day of the Convocation, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu did not fail to stress the importance of the institution to the oil and gas industry in the country. He said, oil and gas institutions are crucial to Nigeria's economic growth and since FUPRE is an energy research and innovation institution, it should align with the goal of the present administration to drive the economic prosperity and create opportunities for all Nigerians and therefore sought its partnership with government and industries to achieve this feat. 

According to him, while the government is committed to the growth of the institution, it needs partnership from leaders of industries to enable the institution become hub for energy education and innovation. His words:" We are committed to supporting the growth of this University particularly in securing opportunity to help in fulfilling its mandate and lead in energy sector. However, it is a shared responsibility as l call  on industry leaders to partner with us in empowering Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, to become a global hub for energy education and innovation"

It is on record that even the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh has developed the institution  within the available resources in his tenure, anytime from now, his tenure comes to an end as Prof. Ezekiel Ogheneyerohvwo Agbalagba will take over the mantle of leadership of the school.The new Vice Chancellor take- over was earlier announced by the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of the Govenornig Council of the University, Engr. Issa Bello Gachi. He said, a   total of 39 people were shortlisted for interview and presented to the Governing Council of the institution for consideration and approval and after a careful deliberation Prof Ezekiel Ogheneyerohvwo Agbalagba emerged as the Vice Chancellor . His words:" Following a thorough evaluation process,39 people were shortlisted for interview and presented to the Governing Council for consideration...Prof. E.O Agbalagba emerged as Vice Chancellor". 

Prof. Agbalagba's taking over as the new   Vice Chancellor of the noble institution  was reaffirmed on the day of convocation  by the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh when he said:" This convocation is not only a celebration of five years tenure as the Vice Chancellor of this University... It has been a journey of growth and accomplishments." 

Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh did not regret his stay in the school for the five  years as he is satisfied with his developmental strides. As he hands- over the baton of leadership to Prof. Agbalagba, he is satisfied that the person taking over from him would add more value to the institution. This he displayed on the day, the Prof. Ezekiel Ogheneyerohvwo Agbalagba was announced when he said in an  interview:" I  am very happy. The handover process is a  smooth one because the Governing  Council followed the due process of selection and my tenure has "given birth to a new baby". This the outgoing Vice-Chancellor said as joy was written all over his body.

The 4th Convocation Ceremony is so historical that those who gave various speeches on the day of the celebration - 15th March,2025, including the President, the Outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing  Council, Engr. Issa Bello Gachi, and others thanked the parents of the graduating students for their financial and moral support which saw their children graduate just as they congratulated the graduands on their successful completion of their programme and advised them to excell in their various fields of studies.