The Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has expressed utter shock and disappointment over the deplorable state of facilities at the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, as he conducted an on-the-spot assessment of facilities during an unscheduled visit to the state-owned tertiary institution on Sunday, 23rd March.
Governor Otti, who vowed to arrest the ugly situation, was received on arrival by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Ndukwe Okudo. As he was ushered in by the VC, he immediately proceeded with the tour and assessment of the facilities. The inspected facilities include the ABSU Staff Primary School, the old Law Faculty building, and the proposed site for the new 5,000 students’ capacity hostels for both male and female students.
The Governor was shocked and utterly disappointed by the deplorable state of the facilities he saw on the ground. He exclaimed!, “Thank God I came; I couldn’t have believed it”, underscoring the urgency of the situation, making it clear to the audience that immediate action will be taken.
Governor Otti, while addressing the students on campus who trooped out of their hostels to catch a glimpse of their Governor, expressed displeasure and apologized for the unfortunate state of facilities in the school. He reassured them of his unwavering commitment to fix the school and make it conducive for learning, instilling a sense of hope in the students.
Governor Otti stated, “I just came to see things for myself. And I thought I should take you and the University management by surprise. I’m happy to see you, but I’m very unhappy with the state of the facilities. The conditions under which you live cannot allow you to do any academic work. For those of you who do well under these conditions, we must congratulate you”. The Governor acknowledged the students’ resilience and ability to excel despite the challenging conditions.
The Governor stated that while the new hostel is being constructed, the University management should find an organised way and phased approach to making the current hostels habitable. Governor Otti gave the Vice Chancellor a matching order to build a functional cafeteria for the students, noting that it is unhygienic and risky to have cooking stoves, kerosene, and pots in the hostels.
Addressing the VC, the Governor said, “I don’t want to see stoves, kettles, kerosene, and those kinds of things in the rooms. I will give you about three months to build a functional cafeteria,” he directed the VC amidst claps of joy from the students.
Speaking further, Governor Otti said, “You are aware that we are relocating both Faculties of Law and Agriculture back to Uturu so that all of you will be in one place. The designs for the faculties and the 5,000 students’ capacity hostel have already been completed, and work will start in the next one week”. The Governor announced an aggressive target delivery timeline of four months for the completion of these facilities, given the urgency of the situation.
The Governor assured the management and students that the essential amenities needed to make the academic community conducive for learning, such as power, potable water, etc., should be taken for granted, as these will all be provided.
The Governor thanked the students for their patience and apologised on behalf of the Government since Government is a continuum. Governor Otti ordered the immediate demolition of the University Staff Primary School and the erection of a new one. He also instructed that a temporary learning facility be provided for the students while the new one is being built.
The State’s Chief Executive was accompanied on the inspection visit by the Mayor of Isuikwuato, Hon. Chinedu Ekeke, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD, the Technical Assistant to the Governor, Mr. Charles Egonye, and other Government appointees.
Earlier in the day, Governor Otti worshipped at the Assemblies of God Church, Item Street, Umuahia, where he thanked the Church members for their continued support since 2015. He commended the Guest Preacher, Evang. Juliet Anyim, for preaching what he described as “Practical Christianity,” not the gospel that preaches wealth without work, where people will sleep and wake up and see money by their side.
The Governor assured the congregation of improved performance and greater dividends of democracy in the remaining 2 years of his first term in Office.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
