By Tosan Edematie
The new
Provost of College of Education, Warri , Dr. Dickson Oyovwi, has promised to run an inclusive government that will move the College forward.
Speaking on Monday, June 21, 2021 during the former Provost, Prof. (Mrs) Mary Edema’s official handover to him Dr. Oyovwi, while expressing his commitment to take the institution to greater heights, solicited the cooperation and support of everyone, reiterating that he will run an all-inclusive government.
Oyovwi thanked Prof. Mary Olire Edema for her leadership in the five years she held sway, further appreciating her and the College Council for the smooth selection and transition process. The new Provost equally expressed deep gratitude to the College unions, especially COEASU, for the peace they maintained, in the Provost selection process.
In her handover speech, Prof. Mary Edema advised her successor to be a Provost, “that is truly a Provost,” and not allow any one take over his place.
U-Metro gathered that Dr. Oyovwi is the first in-house Staff of the College to emerge Provost since its history.
An indigene of Otokutu Town in Ughievwen Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Dickson Oyovwi attended Ovwodoavwaren Primary school Ughelli from 1975-1980, Ogbavweni Grammar school Usiefrun, from 1980-1985. He obtained the West African School leaving certificate (WASC) in 1986. He, thereafter, proceeded to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State in 1987 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics Education in 1991.
Not satisfied with a BSc (Ed), he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1992, and obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in 1994 and a Masters in Business Administration (Banking and Finance) in 1996. He obtained a Masters of Science in Economics in 2004 from Delta State University, Abraka, and a Ph.D in Economics in 2012, from the University of Port Harcourt.
He got employment into the College of Education, Warri on May, 28th, 1998 as a Lecturer 3 in the Department of Economics. Through hard work and commitment he grew through the ranks to the position of a Chief Lecturer in 2014.
As an employee of the College, he has held various administrative positions. As a newly employed staff in 1998, he was the Exam Officer in charge of Departmental timetable, a position he held from 1998-2005; he was Coordinator computer studio, 1999-2002;Course Coordinator, 2007-2008; Academic Coordinator, DELSU degree programme, 2009-2011; Head of Economics Department, 2013-2014; Head of Social Science Education, DELSU Affiliate Programme, 2014-2016; Head of Department, Aug. 2019 – December 2020. Head Social Science Education Department, DELSU Affiliate Programme January-March 2021; Director of Management Information System (MIS) from March to 18th June, 2021.
Due to his commitment to Service, he was appointed Chairman of Rentals Committee
from 2018-2021; member students’ project allocation Committee (NCE/ Degree), 2017- 18th June, 2021; member space allocation Committee, 2014-2016; member budget committee, 2016-18th June, 2021; member, revenue yielding committee, 2006-2015; Chairman, BIENNIAL Conference organising committee for school of Arts and Social Science, 2016; member interview panel for Academic staff recruitment,2012 amongst others.
As a true Academic, he has attended numerous conferences as well as presented scholarly paper. He has 23 Conference papers to his credit, 14 publications in international journals and 9 publications in national journals. He has contributed chapters to 5 books and co authored 3 books.
Oyovwi is a member of the Nigerian Economic Society (MNES); Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); Nigerian Statistical Association and European Center for Research Training and Development.
In 2020, he was conferred a chieftaincy title as the Omovogho of Ughievwen Kingdom, by HRM Matthew Ediri Egbi (JP, FoD) Owahwa II, Okobaro of Ughievwen Kingdom.
Dickson Oyovwi, who is blessed with a lovely family, serves his Urhobo ethnic nationality as Assistant National Secretary of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Worldwide.
