25th September 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, Governance And Development, News
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

A few months ago, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti paid an unscheduled visit to the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA to have a firsthand information on how the students are faring and the state of the environment under which they are carrying out their studies. That visit turned out to be a big eye opener. The Governor was appalled by the sight that confronted him at the once beautiful citadel of learning.

He saw a University where the students` hostels were like cow sheds with dilapidated toilets, dingy rooms, broken windows, cracked walls, leaking roofs and poorly lit environment. The Governor and his entourage were shocked beyond marrows that our children and the touted leaders of tomorrow were studying under such a depressing atmosphere. He could barely hold his emotions back as he was completely devastated by the rot he saw.

Addressing the students, Governor Otti sympathized with their plight and assured them that the ugly situation was going to be reversed for the better. He made a firm promise to rebuild and modernize the hostels and other decrepit infrastructure in the university to provide a conducive living and learning environment deserving of the students.
To the glory of God, Otti has fully kept with the promise made only about four months ago.

Over the weekend, pictures and videos of the newly transformed hostels, toilets, class rooms and laboratories flooded the social media, underscoring the fulfilment of the promise made by Governor Otti during his unscheduled visit to the institution.

The transformation that has taken place now makes the hostels to look like standard hotel accommodation with glittering tiled floors, sparkling bathrooms, modern toilets, constant water supply, improved lighting systems, and refurbished rooms. This development has sparked off a wave of excitement and jubilation amongst students of the institution, their parents and the general public.

As the students resume from their holidays for the second semester, they are to enjoy a completely transformed academic environment that is very conducive for learning, research and recreation. There is no doubt that the new serene environment provided by Governor Otti would impact most positively on the mental, academic and social lives of the students, and indeed the staff and management of the institution.

A healthy environment is a morale booster to the students. It would energize them and help to bring out the best in them. Governor Otti who has a knack for excellence understands the importance of a healthy environment in nurturing well-motivated and mentally-balanced students who are expected to be tomorrow`s leading lights in the society. The people of Abia appreciate his timely intervention in restoring the University to its old glory.

Under the prevailing woeful environment before the decisive intervention of Otti, the University was almost on a retreat into infrastructural decadence. It is against this background that the impressive renovations that have taken place in the last few months are receiving positive reviews across the land. According to the Honourable Commissioner of Information, Prince Okey Kanu, “by providing a comfortable and enabling environment, the Otti-led administration has reaffirmed its commitment to raising a new generation of leaders equipped for the challenges of the future”.

A conducive environment, undoubtedly, is the foundation for academic and leadership excellence. It presents the right atmosphere for students to truly manifest themselves and unlock their innate potentials. The great works that Otti has done in ABSU would help to inspire our students and propel them along the path of excellence and rectitude.

The Governor has set a standard. It now behooves on the University authorities to ensure that these beautiful infrastructure are properly maintained and guarded against any form of vandalization.

May Abia continue to prevail!

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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