Outgoing DELSU VC advocates positive family values

The outgoing Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, has emphasized the importance of parents and guardians instilling strong family values in their children and wards during their formative years.

Egwunyenga said, “This will help them grow into virtuous adults who can uphold and pass on these values to future generations.”

He made the remarks on Monday while speaking at the university’s 7th Valedictory Lecture titled ‘Family Values: Redeeming the Lost Virtues for Future Generations,’ delivered by a retiring Professor of Home Economics in the institution, Professor (Mrs) Diana Oritsegbubemi Arubayi.

South-South PUNCH gathered that the lecture was part of the celebrations marking her 70th birthday and retirement from DELSU, after 34 years of dedicated service as a lecturer.

The outgoing VC, in his remarks, lauded the valedictory lecturer for drawing attention to a crucial issue that is often ignored to the detriment of society and the future generation, pointing out that “students bring their different family values to the university on admission, which also influence them as they acculturize.”.

He praised Prof. (Mrs) Arubayi for her amiable personality and monumental contributions to teaching, research, mentorship and administration in the university in different capacities within her 34-year service.

As he congratulated the valedictory lecturer on her 70th birthday and retirement, the outgoing VC noted that “while professors may officially retire, the knowledge they have generated through research and shared through their lectures will continue to benefit the university community and humanity at large.”

He assured that more copies of the lecture will be made available to students of the university in a bid to strengthen their family values and equip them to become catalysts for positive changes in society.

He then appealed to her to accept the university’s request for her to stay behind for another year to enable her to complete the supervision of her remaining seven PhD students.

Professor (Mrs) Arubayi, in her valedictory lecture, expressed concern over the current state of family life in society, noting that “children are increasingly displaying chaotic behaviours that signal a troubling and degenerative shift in societal values.”

She defined family values as the principles and behavioural standards handed down through generations that shape individual character and foster strong, healthy families.

She further described virtues as the traits, capacities, dispositions, habits and qualities that reflect moral integrity. Professor (Mrs) Arubayi explained that family values have been profoundly shaped by modern developments, which have encouraged greater individualism, mobility, and reliance on technology. This shift, she noted, has resulted in more flexible and egalitarian family structures.

She urged families to nurture virtues such as honesty, obedience, respect, kindness, hard work, love, open communication, understanding, responsibility, accountability, and humility, emphasizing that “these qualities are essential pillars of family values that our contemporary society must preserve and pass on to future generations.”

In attendance at the Valedictory Lecture were, among others, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof Samuel Asagba, the Vice Chancellor of Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Prof Snapps Jacob Oboreh, former Vice Chancellor of Delta State University and husband of the valedictory lecturer, Emeritus Prof Eric Arubayi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof (Mrs) Rosemary Ngozi Okoh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Ochuko Anomohanran, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Patrick Okoh, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Roseline Aziza, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Austine Anigala, Provost of Oleh Campus, Prof Elo Ibagere, Registrar of the university, Mrs Rufina Ufuoma Ufiofio, family members and friends of the valedictory lecturer, and staff and students of DELSU.