Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has apologized to students of Abia State University Uturu (ABSU) over the deplorable condition of facilities at the institution, vowing to restore its lost glory. The governor made the unexpected apology during an unscheduled visit to the university after attending a church service in Umuahia.
Otti, visibly shocked by the state of disrepair, assured the students that immediate action would be taken to rehabilitate the school. He acknowledged that while the decay did not happen under his administration, governance is a continuum, and he took responsibility on behalf of the government. “I couldn’t have believed that things have gone so bad in ABSU if I didn’t come to see for myself,” he said.
Upon arrival, the governor, accompanied by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ndukwe Okudo, inspected several facilities, including the ABSU Staff Primary School, the old Law Faculty Building, and the proposed site for new 5,000-capacity student hostels. He ordered the demolition and immediate reconstruction of the staff school, directing the VC to arrange a temporary relocation for the pupils.
Addressing students who trooped out to welcome him, Otti expressed his dismay at their poor living conditions. “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,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to improving the university, Otti promised to provide essential amenities, including electricity and potable water. He instructed the VC to develop a phased plan for hostel renovations while new ones are being constructed. Additionally, he mandated the immediate establishment of a functional cafeteria, warning that cooking in hostels posed health and safety risks. “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 declared to the excitement of the students.
The governor also announced plans to relocate the Faculties of Law and Agriculture back to Uturu to unify the campus, stating that designs for the new faculty buildings and hostels were complete and construction would begin within a week. He assured students that the projects would be completed in four months, marking the beginning of ABSU’s transformation.
