The Provost, College of Education (COE), Agbor, Dr. Joseph Ukadike has affirmed that the upgrade of the College to University of Delta State is prophecy fulfilled of the renowned Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Issele-Uku and Spiritual Director, Lumen Christi Family, Rev. Fr. David-Mario Dibie.
Dr. Ukadike said this during his speech at the College second thanksgiving service held at the College New Site on Thursday, February 25, 2021.
According to him, “Today’s thanksgiving is notable, because Rev. Fr. Dibie prophesied when he celebrated mass on my assumption of office as provost, that the college ground will be a University and today it is a reality.
“Indeed, the answered prayer of Rev. Fr. Dibie will make me to finish my tenure as the COE, Agbor provost with recording of lots of achievement.
SEE ALSO: EDITORIAL: IN PRAISE OF UPGRADE OF AGBOR COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO A UNIVERSITY
“The history of the University of Delta, Agbor will not be told without my name (Ukadike) being mentioned. My joy knows no bound on this special day and I return all glory to God Almighty for everything.
“I will not fail to thank everyone who supported me, as the provost of this Institution. Without you, I wouldn’t have achieved what we are celebrating today, most especially, the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the privilege given to me to serve”.
While wishing his wife a bountiful happy birthday, Ukadike enjoined everyone to keep supporting and encouraging him, so as to finish well and strong.
The Provost expressed thanks to Rev. Fr. Dibie, all officiating priests present, his principal officers and others for standing by him to achieve resounding success during his tenure.
While speaking, Rev. Fr. Mario Dibie said, “Today is a special day. It is a day of special thanksgiving. We are thanking God for answering our prayers. I want you all to be happy, because God has blessed this land with a new name. One way or the other, all of us will benefit from it. I want to congratulate the provost for his unrelenting efforts in this institution and as such he will be the last provost of this college.
“The provost has been doing this thanksgiving every year. We should all stand by him, because that of today is special.
“The news came up that the Institution will be converted to University of Education. knowing how limited it will be, God used some people to speak to the Governor and it was converted to University of Delta, Agbor with different faculties.
“Today, we are celebrating a dream and blessing come true”.
Reading from the Book of Zachariah 4:8-9, the cleric assured the people that God has not forgotten them. He noted that marital opposition, ancestral opposition, spiritual opposition, financial, academic opposition, social opposition, psychological opposition and physical opposition are forces that speak against one’s success in life. He maintained that life has no meaning, if there is no happiness, declaring that opposition should not be managed but dealt with fervently
“The way out of these oppositions is; firstly, we should return to God. Secondly, don’t use the wrong weapon and lastly, use the right weapon, which is the Holy Spirit.
“Your success is determined by who you believe. Your wisdom decides your relationship, while your relationship reveals who you are”, he affirmed.
The colourful event attracted the presence of the principal officers of the institution, chief lecturers, lecturers, non- teaching staff, Staff Model students, Rev. Fr. Mario Dibie, Rev. Fr. John Mordi (Ph.D), other clergy men, Provost family members, students of the Institution and host of others.
Highpoints of the occasion include presentation of an award to Evang. P. O Ajedeonu, by the intercessory prayer team of the College, thanksgiving procession and taking of group photographs.