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  • Don urges Nigerians to engage in sports to reduce mental illnesses, increase longevity

    Don urges Nigerians to engage in sports to reduce mental illnesses, increase longevity

    Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Emmanuel Igoh Odokuma, has called on governments at all levels to actively promote sporting activities as a strategy to curb the rising rate of mental illness in Nigeria.

    Speaking as the keynote speaker at the opening of the 2025 conference of the Nigeria Association of Sports Science and Medicine (NASSM), held in collaboration with the Pan-African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), University of Ibadan, Odokuma emphasized the critical role of sports in improving mental health and overall well-being.

    Delivering his address on the theme “Shaping Humans and Society Through Science and Medicine of Sports”, Odokuma expressed concern over the growing prevalence of mental health issues in the country. He urged Nigerians to embrace regular physical activity as a means to combat stress, emotional trauma, and psychological disorders.

    “Sporting activities are essential not just for physical fitness but for reducing stress and increasing longevity,” he stated, adding that government intervention in promoting sports could also contribute to improving life expectancy in the country.

    The event was attended by notable figures, including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale (represented by Dean of Nursing, Professor Prisca Olabisi Adejumo), Director General of the National Institute for Sports, Professor Olawale Morounkola, NASSM President Professor Olatunji Odedeyi, Dean of the Faculty of Education Professor Olufemi Adegbesan, Dr. Toyin Jaiyeoba, and PAULESI Director Professor Morunmubo Adeola Sonibare. The local organising committee was chaired by Professor Ochuko Eric Nabofa.

    Odokuma said, “We looked at how medicine and science can shape sports. We addressed issues like humanity, science, and sports.

    “We looked at the benefits of sports in medicine. Especially mental health issues.

    “In managing mental health issues, sports has a very essential role to play in mental health, especially psychiatric problems like depression.

    “Sports also have economic gains. When we have sporting competitions like NUGA games, it promotes the economy of the area where the games are being held.

    “Sports also increase longevity. So, sports are very important. These are things we looked at as the keynote address.”

    NASSM president, Professor Olatunji Odedeyi in his welcome address noted that the theme of the conference encapsulates what experts in the field does.

    He said, “Our theme, ‘Shaping Humans and Societies through the Medicine and Science of Sports,” encapsulates the transformative potential of our work. In this era, where human wellness, performance, and societal cohesion are paramount, sport (backed by science and medicine) emerges as a critical tool for national development, inclusion, and health.

    “As I prepare to pass on the baton of leadership, I do so with deep gratitude and pride in how far we have come and hope for how far we can still go. Let this conference be a new beginning, a celebration of continuity, collaboration, and innovation”.

    Chairman of Local Organising Committee, Professor Ochuko Eric Nabofa, while speaking, described the theme of the conference as timely.

    “This year’s conference, with the theme ‘Shaping Humans and Societies through the Medicine and Science of Sports,” is not only timely but profoundly relevant. As the world as a whole, and our country in particular, grapples with challenges to health, human development, and social cohesion, we are reminded that sports, guided by science and strengthened by medicine, remain a powerful instrument for the transformation of bodies, minds, and nations.

    “Permit me to specially thank the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, the Director of the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), the Dean, Faculty of Education and the Head of the Department of Human Kinetics, Dr (Mrs) Toyin Jaiyeoba, for providing the enabling environment and the institutional goodwill that made this conference possible.

    Read Also: Delta Assembly amends Delta State University Law, 1998

    “I am also grateful to the Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos, Professor O. A. Moronkola, for not only identifying with NASSM to which he belongs but also honouring us with his physical presence and goodwill message today, despite the short notice and the many demands on his time. His commitment underscores the relevance and growing recognition of NASSM’s place in national discourse.

    “To the President of NASSM, Professor Olatunji Odedeyi, I express our collective gratitude for your steadfast leadership, vision, and the guiding role you have played in bringing NASSM back to the national stage. Your encouragement and administrative support have been central to the successful planning of this conference and the revitalisation of our great association.

    “To the members of the Local Organising Committee, my heartfelt thanks. In particular, I acknowledge the indefatigable support of Professor Olufunmilola Leah Dominic and Professor Oladele Isiaka Oladipo. This conference would not have taken shape without your tireless contributions, leadership, and loyalty to the cause.

    “Dear colleagues, as we engage over the coming days, let us be inspired to think boldly, share freely, and act deliberately. May the deliberations here ignite solutions and alliances that will shape a healthier, more dynamic Nigerian society through sport.”

  • Alleged threat to life: Delta Varsity employee petitions CAS, IG, others

    A member of staff of the Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, Ethiope East council area, Mr. Oghenenyore Akpobi, has petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and others over alleged threat to his life.

    Akpobi, who spoke to The Nation in Warri on Monday, alleged the Vice Chancellor of DELSU, Prof. Victor Peretomode, in connivance with security agents, was threatening his life following attempts to eject him from his official residence.

    Akpobi, however, said he cannot be ejected from his official residence of 3 bedroom flat, located at 5 Kano street by any person as there is a court order with suit No. EEACCII/94/2016, from Customary Court II, Abraka, restraining the Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof Victor Peretomode and 3 others from trespassing pending the hearing and determination of the unlawful termination of his employment at the Awka Industrial Court with Suit No. NICN/ASB/16/2015.

    He said he had petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General, Department of State Security Servive and the Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Peretomode, through Martin Ene Edah and Co Chambers of No. 179 (229), Jakpa Road, Effurun, Uvwie local government area, on Tuesday Feb. 26, 2019, to the Delta State Commissioner of Police on a conduct likely to cause breach of peace and demanded for immediate investigations and prosecution.

    Akpobi said, “While still under the employment of the Delta State University, l had health challenges, so l was granted 6 weeks leave to travel to lndia for medical treatment to undergo a two-stage spinal surgery and l had to seek for further extension of my leave on the advice of my doctor. Instead of approving my request for extension, on Nov. 3rd, 2015, my earlier three months medical leave was withdrawn and my salary stopped. “Upon my return from lndia, l was prevented from gaining access into my office to carry out my duties as a Senior Accountant attached to the Oleh Campus of Delta State University, Abraka, by security men who said they were acting on instructions. It was on this ground that l filed suit through my lawyer against the Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Victor Peretomode and others.

    “Since then l have been receiving several threat to live, that often time l sleep outside my house for the fear of being attacked, using suspected thugs to threaten me to pack from my official house when the court has not given his ruling. It was on this ground l petitioned the Delta State Commissioner of Police since Feb. 26th, 2019, on the several threat l have received, believing the VC will be invited but all to no avail.

    “I have been invited to the Delta State Police Command to make statement yet the man has not been summoned, until about three days ago, another set in company of the Vice Chancellor invaded my apartment armed, asking me to quit now, but l insisted that until the court decides, the apartment remains my official residence as I am paying for it not free.”

    Responding to the threat allegation, the Public Relations Officer, DELSU, Mr Freeborn Aganbi said: “I would need to clarify some issues with the appropriate persons.”

    For instance, if it has to do with legal issues, I need to get the current state of such issues before I can respond and meanwhile am not aware of the matter you are talking about.”

     

  • Suspected impersonator nabbed

    A suspected impersonator hired to write examination on behalf of a student of Masters in Energy and Petroleum Economics (MEPE), at the Delta State University, Abraka has been arrested.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode, said yesterday that the suspect had been handed over to the police, to deter others.

    He said the university authorities acted on a tip-off, stressing that the process that led to apprehending the suspect took two weeks.

    Peretomode said: “Before we caught him, he had written first and second-semester examinations for 2017/2018 session on behalf of his client, who paid him N30,000 per course.

    “He was caught during the first semester, second year examination.

    “We went to the Post-Graduate School, brought out the student’s file and printed his portrait at the ICT centre. His passport photograph was authentic, but was different from that of the suspected impersonator sitting for the examination.”

     

  • DELSU hosts ANUPA conference

    The Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) will hold its 2018 National Conference and Annual General Assembly December 5 to 9 at the 1,000-seater lecture theatre of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

    The theme of this year’s Conference is “Embracing the Future: Creativity and Innovation in University Management.”

    The special guest of honour at the opening is DELSU Vice-Chancellor Prof Victor Perotomode and other eminent scholars and university administrators.

    Also expected to be in attendance are members of the association from the universities and allied institutions.

    A press statement by the association’s national Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Naths Tyoaan, who is a senior staff of Benue State University Makurdi, Benue appealed to Vice-Chancellors to sponsor large delegations to the conference.

    Tyoaan assured that the quality of resource persons at the Conference was comparable to those in international conferences.

    The statement adds that the fee for the conference is N35,000.

  • DELSU expels Four, rusticates 26 for alleged Examination Malpractices

    Delta State University (DELSU) has expelled four of its students, rusticated 26 and placed four others on indefinite suspension.

    This action of the university was contained in a special edition of the bulletin issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Vice Chancellor’s office, on Tuesday 5th June, 2018.

    According to the bulletin, the affected students were sanctioned for their alleged involvement in various examination malpractices.

    The Nation gathered some of those affected are the departmental presidents of Mass Communication, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Business Administration and Geography and Regional Planning departments.

    However, in a swift reaction to the development, some of the affected students, when contacted, alleged that they were, indeed, being victimized by the management of the Faculty of Social Sciences for daring to raise questions over alleged misappropriation of hundreds of thousands of students’ dues.

    Read Also: DELSU final year student commits suicide

    A source in one of the departments who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said revealed “when the presidents of the respective departments noticed the way and manner the faculty president single handedly disbursed over N700, 000 for the conduct of a welcome party for 100 level students without the constitutional backing, they passed a vote of no confidence on him during congress which he (faculty president) boycotted.

    “While the congress was going on, the staff adviser stormed the venue demanding who authorized the congress and threatened that they would hear from him.

    “Days later, the departmental presidents were accused of plots to destabilize the peace of the university and summoned to face a panel which they did only for a bulletin to be released today stating that they have been rusticated for two semesters respectively”, the source said.

    Describing the defense of the students as an afterthought, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Freeborn Aganbi said “students who are saying that are doing so to cover up for their exam malpractice. The management of the university is not interested in victimizing or punishing any student”.

  • DELSU Final Year Student Commits Suicide

    A final year student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, identified as Orumah Efemena, has reportedly committed suicide.

    The deceased, who was said to have suffered bouts of depression in recent times, reportedly took his own life on Wednesday, after drinking poisonous liquid substance suspected to be an insecticide, after learning that he would be staying another academic session in the institution.

    The Nation gathered that Orumah did poorly in his final examinations and would be having to stay an extra year, a second time, having suffered a similar fate in the previous academic year.

    Although no authority was able to officially confirm the incident, some students from his department; Pharmacy Department, who spoke under anonymous conditions, confirmed the development, saying the deceased switched to depression after realising his imminent fate.

    According to some of the sources, the deceased was found dead in his hostel room. They said two cans of a dangerous insecticide, which had been linked to a couple of suicide cases recently were found in his room.

    He was, however, said to have been rushed to the university health centre where he was pronounced dead.

    A lecturer of the institution who also confirmed the incident said medical report indicates that the student took substances believed to be an insecticide.

    Another student who simply identified herself as Amaka, said, “He was in class the day he died and looked very happy and exchanged jokes with his course mates. Some of his friends were even with him at home but after they left he drank sniper and died.”

    When contacted, DELSU’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Freeborn Aganbi, confirmed the incident, adding that security report indicated that the deceased had had to repeat the same year twice, a situation that could have inflicted frustration on him.

    “This is why staying off campus isn’t advisable. If he had been staying on campus, there’s the possibility that one or two friends could be around him to talk him away from his frustration and eventually from taking his own life”, Aganbi said.

     

  • DELSU inducts doctors

    The College of Health Sciences of the Delta State University (DESLU) in Abraka has inducted 40 graduates of Medicine and Surgery in a ceremony attended by high-profile medical practitioners.

    The induction held in the school’s 750-capacity Hall A saw the graduates taking the Hippocratic Oath.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Victor Peretomode, represented by the Registrar, advised the inductees to be guided by the oath and ethics of the profession in discharging their duties. The VC described Medicine as a “noble profession”, urging the inductees not to cut corners in their practices.

    Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof Ebeigbe, advised the graduates to set good precedent in the profession, urging them to use their resourcefulness in improving the healthcare system in the country.

    The highpoint of the event was the speech by Precious Ovobite – the Best Graduating Student, who won several prizes. He thanked their teachers and parents for supporting them all through the period of their training. He promised that the inductees would always abide by the Hippocratic Oath.

  • DELSU inducts doctors

    DELSU inducts doctors

    The College of Health Sciences of the Delta State University (DESLU) in Abraka has inducted 40 graduates of Medicine and Surgery in a ceremony attended by high-profile medical practitioners.

    The induction held in the school’s 750-capacity Hall A saw the medical graduates taking the Hippocratic Oath.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Victor Peretomode, represented by Registrar, advised the inductees to be guided by the oath and ethics of the profession in discharging their duties. The VC described Medicine as a “noble profession”, urging the inductees not to cut corners in their practices.

    Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof Ebeigbe, advised the graduates to set good precedent in the profession, urging them to use their resourcefulness in improving the healthcare system in the country.

    The highpoint of the event was the speech by Precious Ovobite – the Best Graduating Student, who won several prizes. He thanked their teachers and parents for supporting them all through the period of their training. He promised that the inductees would always abide by the Hippocratic Oath.

  • DELSU ignores Fed Govt, charges N5, 000 for post-UTME screening

    Contrary to Federal Government’s policy, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has announced its readiness to conduct “computer-based aptitude tests” in place of post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    Besides, the university is charging each candidate N5, 000, in addition to N1, 000 bank commission, bringing the total cost to N6, 000 against the maximum N2, 500 allowed by the government’s order for the screening.

    In an official bulletin dated June 13, the institution directed candidates to visit its admission portal to “generate a virtual pin with N5, 000’’.

    Candidates were directed to make the payment at Ecobank, Unity Bank, Zenith Bank, UBA or Fidelity Bank.

    According to it, the payment is for centre-screening and covers honoraria for centre-facilitation, logistics for producing screening materials and security.

    Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, in a statement on June 28, 2016, warned tertiary institutions against charging candidates for post-UTME screening.

    The warning followed reports that some institutions had ignored the earlier abolition of post-UTME test and devised other means to screen students with certain fees imposed on them.

    “Any screening which tertiary institutions choose to conduct should only be for the purpose of verification of certificates of the candidates, JAMB scores, and any other physical examination to ensure that such candidates are not cultists.

    “After this, the candidates are qualified for matriculation. Such screening should be at no cost to the parents or students and should be done upon resumption in order to avoid unnecessary travels in search of admission,” Adamu said.

    The Registrar of DELSU, Mr Daniel Urhibo, confirmed the authenticity of the school’s bulletin and defended the N5, 000 screening charge per candidate.

    “It is aptitude test. We are not setting another kind of examination for them the way JAMB sets for them, and it is going to be computer-based,’’ Urhibo said.

    Asked to differentiate the “computer-based aptitude test’’ from the post-UTME test abolished by the government, he told NAN that the Federal Government did not scrap post-UTME test.

    “It is the same agency of the government that said `you can select your students.’

    “Twenty-six thousand candidates applied to DELSU; how do you select, may be 5,000 or 6,000? There must be some kind of uniform test to assess them.

    “Last year, we asked them to submit their secondary school results and we graded them. Do you know that people claiming to have `A’s in their results could not write their names?

    “Some of them had forged results. We went to the internet and discovered that somebody who claimed to have scored 300 in UTME had just 120.

    “So, if you use that type you won’t get the best; that is why there is some kind of a little aptitude test for them,’’ he said.

    Urhibo explained that the N5, 000 charge was needed to conduct the exercise as the university was not in good financial position to bear the cost.

    “We need materials to do this test; we will pay the people who are going to administer the test and those who will mark it.

    “We need money to service our computers and to develop the software for the test. So, from where do you expect us to get the money to do these?’’

    The minister of education or spokesman of the ministry could not be reached for reaction to this in spite of several attempts in more than two weeks.

    However, a top official of the ministry, who craved anonymity, said what the university was trying to do was illegal. The National Universities Commission (NUC), tasked with enforcement of the abolition of the post-UTME test and screening charges, was also not forthcoming on the matter.

    Its Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, neither answered several calls to his mobile telephone nor replied NAN enquiry sent to him via SMS and Whatsapp.

    The commission’s spokesman, Mr Ibrahim Yakasai, also did not respond when contacted through the three channels.

  • Don lauds FG’s establishment of national action plan on genetic resources

    Prof. Ikenna Omeje, National Coordinator, Animal Breeders’ and Geneticists Network of Nigeria (ABGeN-ng) has commended the Federal Government for inaugurating the national action plan on genetic resources for the promotion of indigenous livestock.

    Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, Omeje said the action plan was timely and in line with global trend.

    “This global plan of action is very important because other nations have adopted the plan of action.

    “Nigeria has been dormant and not active and it is affecting the utilisation of our indigenous animals, indigenous fish and cattle, among others.

    “The advantage of being part of the global plan of action is that it will make us to prioritise the value we place on what God has given to Nigerians in form of animals that we have domesticated, rearing and using as food.

    “We have often forgotten that they need attention as we do to humans, clean ourselves, grow ourselves, our family, improve ourselves, improve our families and our intelligence.

    “Our animals also need attention because these animals supply us all the resources we need, food in terms of protein, then raw materials, their hides, skin, eggs and their milk; without them man will not be able to survive.

    According to him, the mumturu cattle are going into extinct because the rate at which we use them is not the same rate at which we reproduce them.

    “So the same with some other animals, majority of these animals we use in this country for meat are imported,” he said.

    He said that the cattle from the Fulanis are also imported from neighbouring countries, through trans-border crossing.

    “Nigeria spends not less than 83 per cent of its hard earned foreign exchange on cattle alone followed by poultry, sheep and goats, pigs these are animals that are imported and their produce.

    “We spend a lot of money every year when we have our own indigenous livestock that we have abandoned; other countries under the FAO charter are utilising their own and adding values to their native animals.

    “Growing them and genetically improving their standards by selective breeding and other ways will go a long way to give us an advantage and reduce importation’’ he said.

    Omeje, therefore, commended the National Biotechnology Development Agency for initiating the action plan, adding that it would put an end to the continued importation of livestock and semen of livestock into the country.

    He said it was a right step that would encourage the genetic utilisation and industrial utilisation of indigenous breed.

    Omeje, also a professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, however, appealed to the government to ensure full implementation of the action plan.

    He stressed the importance of livestock to the economic transformation of the country, adding that implementation of the action plan was one thing and sustenance was another.

    The expert, therefore, urged the government to set up an inter-ministerial committee to ensure that the global plan of action was fully implemented and to ensure adequate funding to drive the global plan.

    NAN reports that recently the Federal Government through the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) set up a National Advisory Committee to look into ways of improving local breed and control of animal genetic resources.

    The committee was constituted in Abuja during a workshop on National Strategic Stakeholders Engagement on Animal Genetic Resources organised by the agency.