The Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, Burutu, in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has honoured the Executive Governor of the State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori; a former Senator representing Delta State Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator James Manager; and renowned peace ambassador, environmental and development advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade among others, with awards of Excellence.
Others who were also honoured for their efforts in providing all necessary support include the Chairman of Burutu LGA, Hon Julius Takeme, and His Royal Highness, Bosu Dio (JP), Ayamabulou 1, the Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, who is the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil and Mineral Producing Communities of Niger Delta (TROMPCON), Delta State Chapter, representing the Ijaw Ethnic nationalities.
The awards of excellence were presented during the institute’s first convocation ceremony that held in its premises on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
The Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Oborevwori was honoured for his commitment to upgrading the school to a polytechnic status, thereby making it the first Maritime Polytechnic in Nigeria, in West Africa, after South Africa.
Senator James Manager, who served as senator under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, from 2003 to 2023, was honoured for his immense contributions, for sponsoring numerous bills, and for his support towards educational development in the State.
Chief Mulade, who is the National Coordinator of the foremost nongovernmental organization, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, and chairman of Delta State Mini-Football Association, was honoured in recognition of his doggedness and tireless advocacy for the establishment of higher institutions in Ijaw land.
The Ibe-Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area of the State, had particularly pushed for the conversion of the then Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu, to a university, alongside the Delta State University of Science & Technology, Oleh; Delta State university of Education, Agbor, among others, before it was eventually upgraded to a polytechnic.
According to the institution’s management, Comrade Mulade’s contribution and immense advocacy were too loud to be ignored by all. Therefore, the institution recognised and appropriated him through the award.
The Rector of the institute, Professor James Okoro, in appreciation, thanked the state government for ensuring the take-off of the polytechnic as well as acknowledged the roles played by other stakeholders, stressing that the awards which were presented was a demonstration of its resolve to honour their contributions to the academic institution and its societal development.
It would be recalled that the Delta State House of Assembly, with Rt Hon Oborevwori, then as Speaker, had unanimously approved the upgrade of the institute, formerly known as the Delta State School of Marine Technology, to a polytechnic, after the passage into law of a bill before the House seeking the repeal of the Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu, Law 2006 and enacting the Delta State Polytechnic, Burutu Law, 2023.
