ABSU: Relocation of Umuahia Campus: We’ll ensure students welfare – Otti
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has assured that students relocating from Umuahia Campus of Abia State University, to the Uturu permanent Campus, would not encounter unnecessary difficulties.
Governor gave the assurance Thursday night during his Monthly Media Chart christened “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” for the month of November held at Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia.
On November 6, 2024 the Governor’s approval for the relocation of Umuahia Campus of ABSU back to Uturu was made public. The move is in line with the ongoing implementation of the White Paper Report of the Full Visitation Panel to ABSU published last month.
In its recommendations, the Panel suggested that the multi-campus system of ABSU be abolished.
Under Number 9 of its Terms of Reference, titled: “To Trace the Historical Evolution of the University and the Stock of its General Achievements; Determine What Needs to Change,” the Panel said it observed that “Abia State University was established with a noble vision, mission, and philosophy aimed at excellence and posterity.
“During its early years, the University was renowned for its academic and administrative prowess, attracting international collaborations, particularly with the University of Nebraska, USA. Its curriculum and personnel were highly competitive, drawing on best practices from top-tier universities both in Nigeria and globally.
“The institution fostered a culture of liberal intellectualism, credible leadership, and transparent administration, resulting in high-quality graduates who made significant impacts in various fields.”
Consequently, the institution recorded impressive achievements. “Since its inception,” the Panel noted, “Abia State University has achieved impressive milestones, particularly in the accomplishments of its graduates across diverse sectors. The consolidation of the University’s campuses into the permanent campus at Uturu fostered a rigorous academic and social culture, emphasising research, tolerance for diverse views, respect for individuals, and community cooperation.
“The one-campus setting provided well-equipped lecture halls, a well-stocked library, comfortable student residences, a cafeteria, a sports complex, a healthcare centre, and regular social engagements at the departmental level, all contributing to the University’s high-quality output.”
Commenting on the multi-campus structure of the university, the Panel recommended that “There is need to re-calibrate the Aba and the Umuahia campuses to the permanent campus at Uturu in order to maximize scarce resources as well as promote the traditional culture of inter-departmental/faculty social interactions amongst students of the hitherto ‘exile’ campus at Umuahia.
“On account of the lean resources of the State vis-à-vis the noticeable gap in the
socialization and social behaviour inherent amongst the students in the ‘exile’ location
at Umuahia, there is need to collapse the Umuahia location and the yet-to-take-off Aba
location to the permanent campus at Uturu.
“It is pertinent to note that Uturu has sufficient land and structures to accommodate the Faculties of Law and Agriculture presently at Umuahia. The Faculty of Agriculture will find very beneficial the present vast land/structures at the International Secondary School (ISS), Uturu for farming practice, teaching, research and proximity to collateral administrative synergy.”
In its comments, Government said it “accepted the recommendation to relocate all the satellite campuses back to the main campus at Uturu, except the College of Medicine which should remain at Aba.”
Government swiftly started the reorganization recommended by the Panel with the appointment of new principal officers for the university, including a new Vice Chancellor.
Briefing newsmen after the November 4, 2024 weekly State Executive Council meeting, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced that the EXCO has approved the immediate relocation of the Umuahia campus of ABSU back to Uturu, except the Faculty of Law which would be relocated after its upcoming accreditation exercise.
Prince Kanu added that the Governor has directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche. to ensure total compliance with the directives.
Since the announcement, many stakeholders, including students and parents, have expressed concerns as to the inconveniences the affected students would be exposed to, in the face of allegations that the Uturu permanent Campus does not have enough accommodation, potable water and has power issues, expected to be compounded by the current economic crunch ravaging Nigerians which would make it difficult for parents to fund the relocation of their wards.
But Governor Otti, during the November 7, 2024 Media Chat, allayed such fears, saying that the students would not be subjected to any form of discomfort.
“It is not a good experience to relocate people,” the Governor said, adding that “people always resist change.”
He explained that there were other considerations for taking the decision to relocate the students.
On the complaints that the Umuahia Campus was established because of nearness to courts, the Governor said his administration was building new, modern court halls in all the 17 local government areas across the state.
“Government has donated a brand new transformer to ABSU to improve power supply in the school. By November 20, we will flag off the resuscitation of moribund regional water schemes water projects across the state, especially the Ubakala and Ariaria Water Schemes. This is to ensure that water runs in every home in the state as it used to be in the past. That will help to address the water problem in the institution.” Governor Otti said.
According to him, the accommodation problem at Uturu “is exaggerated.” But he promised that alternative accommodation would be provided for the returning students.
“There are a lot of advantages the students will enjoy returning to Ututru,” he stressed.
