Agbon Peace and Economic Transformation Initiative, APAETRI, has commended the governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, for appointing an illustrious son of Urhobo nation and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, University of Lagos, Prof Ben Oghojafor, as Vice Chancellor, Dennis Osadebey University, Anwai-Asaba.
The Urhobo group in a statement by the Founding President and Secretary General, Chief Barr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe and David Adjarho, Esq; and made available to newsmen in Kokori on Wednesday 28th April, said the governor has again demonstrated that he is truly a detribalised leader with keen interest for balance of power, as can be seen from his choice of the three Vice Chancellors recently appointed to head the three newly created Universities in the state.
Oghenesivbe, an Alumnus of UNILAG, described Prof Oghojafor as a thorough breed academician, a disciplinarian and seasoned technocrat with wealth of experience required to pilot the affairs of Dennis Osadebey University to greater heights.
He noted that Oghojafor excelled as Dean of Faculty of Business Administration before he was elevated to the enviable position of Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, UNILAG. He was subsequently appointed VC of DOU on 26th April, 2021 by the governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
“The platinum governor of Delta State has again lived up to his traditional title of OCHUKO R’URHOBO Nation, for appointing yet another prominent son and erudite Professor of Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management, Prof Ben Oghojafor as VC, DOU.
“Oghojafor, is a man of integrity, a disciplinarian and a detribalised technocrat of no mean repute. The people of Ethiope East LGA, APAETRI and Urhobo nation are grateful to the state governor for this remarkable appointment for an illustrious son and renowned scholar.
“We pray God to grant Prof Oghojafor, good health and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the University to uncommon heights,” the group said.
Prof. Ben Emukufia Akpoyomare Oghojafor, was born on February 1, 1959 in Abraka Inland, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State. He is a Professor of Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management and the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), University of Lagos, Nigeria.
He obtained his first degree in Business Administration, M.Sc. degree in Business Administration, specialising in Strategic Planning and a doctorate degree in Business Administration specialising in Strategic Management in 1984, 1988 and 1993 respectively, all from the University of First Choice and Nation’s Pride, University of Lagos reputed to be the most prolific producer of Nigerian captains of industries and political leaders.
He joined UNILAG as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Business Administration in 1988, and was appointed Lecturer Grade II in 1992, Lecturer Grade I in 1996, Senior Lecturer in 1997, Associate Professor in 2000 and Professor in 2004.
Oghojafor was elected Dean, Faculty of Business Administration from 1st August 2009 to July 31, 2013. He was also elected into the Governing Council of the University of Lagos, from 2011 to 2015.
His interdisciplinary educational and managerial background coupled with his immense exposure has earned him great respect within the academic community
and the society at large.
Prof Oghojafor is a member of numerous professional/academic bodies, locally and internationally among which are: Nigerian Institute of Management; Strategic Management Society, British Academy of Management; The Academy of Management, Nigerian, Nigerian Institute of Personnel Management and Nigerian Institute of Marketing, amongst others.
The erudite Professor is widely published with quite a number of journal articles (local and international), text books, conference papers and technical papers to his credit.