Otti Inaugurates ABSU Visitation Panel One Month After Meeting With ASUU

Governor Alex Otti has inaugurated a nine-member Visitation Panel to Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), one of the most prestigious institutions in the state.

The panel is tasked with reviewing the records and structures of ABSU from 2019 to 2023 and making recommendations that will restore the university to its rightful place as a centre of genuine excellence in university education in the country and beyond.

Inaugurating the panel on Tuesday at the government house Umuahia, Otti said he carefully chose the members of the panel, based on their professional experience and competence in the field of education.

He stated that as governor of the State, he is committed to ensuring that ABSU regains its glory as a model for excellence in research and innovation.

According to him, this is in line with his administration’s vision of resetting Abia to become the number one state in the country.

He said, “For us, what goes on in our university must represent the excellence of our aspiration.”

The governor urged all the stakeholders of ABSU, including the management, staff, students, alumni, and the general public, to cooperate with the panel and provide them with the necessary information and support.

He thanked the Chairman and members of the panel for accepting the important assignment and wished them success in their work.

The panel has 90 days to complete its assignment and submit its report to the governor.

The inaugurated members are:

• Prof. Steve Okorodudu (Chairman)
• Prof. Rose Nwabueze
• Prof. Mrs. Abiola Awosika-Fapetu
• Dr. Sonny Ajala, SAN
• Prof. Ngozi Osarenren
• Prof. Nnenna Oyidie Okeh
• Mr. Emmanuel Okpechi, FCA
• Dr. Confidence Ogbonna
• Mr. Dodoh Okafor (Secretary).

Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, ABSU chapter had during their meeting with the governor appealed to him to set up a visitation panel to the school to checkmate some anomalies, revisit the deplorable Okigwe-Uturu road leading to the institution as well as address the 18 months differentials to their members.

Otti in response to their plea promised to meet with the University Management to iron out a number of issues, including strengthening the corporate governance of the institution and assured them that he will set up a visitation panel to the university as well as look into the union’s request for increased subvention.