By Ambrose Ologide.
Many pured encomium on Dr Dickson Onovwakpoma Oyovwi (JP) by those who know him as he bows out as the Provost of College of Education (COE) Warri on Sunday 21st June, 2026.
The praises started at his church of worship, St Peter’s Anglican Church Igbudu Warri on Sunday 21st June, 2026 where the presiding priest of the church Venerable Mathew Olobia who was simply overwhelmed by the huge crowd of persons that accompanied Dr Dickson Onovwakpoma Oyovwi for the thanksgiving service for his successful completion of tenure in office, remarked that it was the goodness of Dr Oyovwi that attracted the huge crowd of persons to the memorable event.
At the well attended reception of the thanksgiving service that took place at the college of Education ( COE) Warri, the Provost elect of the college, Dr (Mrs) Fidelia Chukwudumebi Ighrakpata stated among other things that Dr Dickson Oyovwi took the college to greater heights during his tenure as Provost of the college and that Dr Oyovwi has raised a good standard for her to emulate .
The Deputy Provost of the college , Dr Moses Umukoro in his speech at the epoch making event, stated among other things that he learnt a lot of good things from the outgone provost of the college during the brief period he served under him.
Likewise, the incumbent chairman of College of Education Academic Staff Union ( COEASU ) College of Education Warri branch Dr Ese Obionu in his brief remarks, gave Dr Dickson Oyovwi a pat on the back for giving the union a maximum cooperation during his tenure.
Another distinguished unionist of the college, Dr Samuel Azugbeni who holds various positions in COEASU both at the state and national levels and who is also the Dean of General Education, College of Education Warri in his speech , traced the history of how the Otokutu born Dr Dickson Oyovwi became the first internally generated provost of the college and that his choice as Provost of the college was generally accepted by the college community without any petition.
The Dean of Arts and Social Sciences of the college, Dr Johnson Erudjefe in his brief but articulated speech, remarked among other things that Dr Oyovwi restored peace in the college and that he intensified the level of fraternity in the college and that there was no longer fear of distrust among the college community.
A highly esteemed chief lecturer of the college, Dr ( Chief) Samuel Eshenake JP in his humble remarks, described the outgone Provost of College of Education Warri as a detribalized and forthright personality.
Dr. Eshenake who is also a Personal Assistant (PA) to the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom and Secretary Uvwie Traditional Council urged the college community to extend its support for Dr Dickson Oyovwi to the Provost elect of the college, Dr (Mrs) Fidelia Chukwudumebi Ighrakpata.
A lecturer in the Department of Political Science of the college, Sir Joseph Ugbejevun appreciated Dr Dickson Oyovwi for his employment and other new employees of the college.
The family of Dr Oyovwi was not left out in the words of encomium for their distinguished son and brother as one of the Oyovwis, Dr Ohworode Oyovwi who is an esteemed senior staff of the college discribed the respected chief of the ancient Urhobo Kingdom of Ughievwen as a light to the Oyovwi Family of Otokutu in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Goodwill messages also came from friends and associates of Dr Dickson Oyovwi as one of his bosom friend, Paddy Iyamu, an engineer remarked that the ourgone Provost of the college compromised his social life with his official duties as Provost of the college.
A father figure to the celebrant, highly respected Sir ( Chief) Sunny Izerigbe corroborated the good will messages of those who spoke about Dr Dickson Onovwakpoma Oyovwi at the event. He also affirmed that the wife of Dr Oyovwi, Mrs Gift Okeoghene Oyovwi ( nee Ologide) has been a blessing to his son in the lord.
The wife of the respected Ewu Urhobo personality, Dame Mary Izerigbe was also full of praises for Dr Dickson Oyovwi for his goodness to humanity as she wished him more fruitful years ahead .
In his brief contribution, the father in-law of the celebrant, Comrade Ambrose Ologide, described Dr Dickson Oyovwi as a wonderful personality who every good person would like to identify with.
In his in remarks , Dr Oyovwi appreciated those who spoke of his goodness as he vowed that that their good will messages will spur him to do more for humanity.
In an exclusive media chat with our correspondent, the wife of the celebrant, Mrs Gift Okeoghene Oyovwi ( nee Ologide) acknowledged that her husband is a blessing to humanity. She also appreciated those who contributed in one way or the other to the huge success of her husband thanksgiving.
The Public Relations Officer ( PRO) of the college, Chief ( Mrs ) Omovusi Anakarhire ( nee Owarieta ) gave a very good account of herself as the image public maker of the college in her excellent presentation at the very impressive ceremony to the applause of guests .
