Governor Alex Otti of Abia State took Abia State University Vice Chancellor and students by surprise over the weekend as he apologized over the deplorable state of facilities at the institution.
Gov Otti was confronted with the decay in the state-owned ivory tower during an unscheduled visit to the institution after attending church service at the Assemblies of God Church, Item Street Umuahia.
The governor who was received on arrival by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe Okudo, immediately proceeded with the tour and assessment of the facilities.
Otti, who expressed utter shock at what he saw during the on-the-spot assessment of ABSU, promised quick action, assuring the students that he would fix the institution and halt the decay.
“I couldn’t have believed” that things have gone so bad in ABSU if not that he came to see things for himself.
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,”
While addressing the students who trooped out of their hostels to welcome their governor, Otti said he was saddened by the ugly condition or facilities at the university and tendered apology to the surprise of the students.
Gov Otti asked the VC to make alternative arrangement for their relocation while the reconstruction lasts.
“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,”
“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,”
Gov Otti acknowledged the students’ resilience and ability to excel despite the challenging conditions, adding that the essential amenities needed to make the academic community conducive for learning, such as power, potable water, among others, would be provided.
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