Otti To Increase Monthly Subvention Of Abia State University

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has affirmed his commitment to addressing issues facing Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, with the aim of resolving them and elevating the institution to stand out among other tertiary institutions in the country.

In a meeting with the executives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ABSU Chapter, led by the Zonal Coordinator (ASUU National), Calabar Zone, Dr. Happiness Uduak, Governor Otti expressed his willingness to consider and resolve the challenges brought to his attention by the union.

While acknowledging the union’s gratitude for prompt payment of salaries and benefits since assuming office, governor Otti assured that the demands presented by ASUU were reasonable.

He emphasized the need for financial independence for universities, suggesting that ABSU ASUU explore avenues to contribute to the institution’s financial autonomy, pledging his support in the process.

The governor expressed surprise over the “18 months salary differential” which the union said its members in Abia were being owed, between 2009-2010, as well as 11 months salary arrears, owed the lecturers by the previous administration.

He said; “It is important that we put on our thinking cap and remove our begging cap because this whole idea of begging is the problem that we have in Nigeria.

“Even as a country, we keep begging, we keep borrowing and we need to think of being financially independent.

“Even from research alone, if there is anything happening in the University, we should be able to generate enough resources to do a few things.

“We need to begin to think of how to make our universities financially independent. Let us rechannel our ABSU ASUU to begin to think of how they can contribute to making the University independent, and I will support you.

“We need to think in that direction because it is more sustainable”.

The governor, who said he would meet with the University Management to iron out a number of issues, talked about strengthening the corporate governance of the institution and promised to set up a visitation panel to the university as well as look into the union’s request for increased subvention.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, led by the ASUU national zonal coordinator Calabar zone, Dr. Happiness Uduak, appreciated governor Otti for the numerous developmental projects he had embarked upon in the state, since assuming office.