Abia State University Uturu(ABSU), has secured full accreditation for five major programmes from the National Universities Commission (NUC) following the October-November 2024 accreditation exercise.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Exco Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu listed accredited courses in the institution to include; Law, Agriculture, Mass Communication, Educational Management, and Planning adding that the accreditation is valid for five years.
The Commissioner emphasized that the development is part of the achievements of the Ministry of Tertiary Education in line with Governor Otti’s declared emergency in the Education Sector.
“The State Ministry of Tertiary Education has continued to record giant strides in service delivery in line with the vision and agenda of His Excellency Dr Alex Otti in the field of Education.
“If you recall, at the outset of this administration, His Excellency declared a state of emergency in the field of Education and ever since, the State Government has not looked back in that direction.
“So through the Ministry of Tertiary Education, quite a lot is happening in that space”, Prince Kanu stated.
He announced that the Governor, in conjunction with the University ‘s Council, has approved the recruitment of new academic Staff to fill vacant positions, as well as the procurement of engineering equipment worth N800 million.
Prince Kanu also confirmed that the renovation of the Male Hostel at the University is ongoing following Governor Otti’s unscheduled visit and is expected to be completed by the end of May.
The Commissioner noted that the ongoing reforms in the Education sector by the Governor is reflecting with impressive strides recorded both academically and technologically at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.
According to the Commissioner, students of the institution recorded a 100% success rate in the National Institute of Science Laboratory Technology Modular Practical Exams Phase 1.
“All the 164 students fielded by the school for the exam passed with a success rate of 100%. For Modular 2, 157 out of 158 students passed, representing a 99% success rate”, Prince Kanu revealed.
He said that the Polytechnic has launched an online clearance platform to ease students’ administrative burdens adding that the Institution is undergoing a comprehensive curriculum review, with the introduction of emerging courses, including Artificial Intelligence, to align with global trends.
He also announced that the staff of the institution have received promotions with full financial benefits as well as payment of salary arrears to sacked and resigned staff following approval by the State Executive Council.
“In terms of administration and welfare of the Staff of the University, all the Staff of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic have been promoted with full financial benefits. Council has given approval in that regard.
“It is instructive to note that this is the first promotion exercise in the Institution since 2008, making it a major morale booster for the personnel.
“Also, the payments of arrears of salaries of sacked and resigned staff of the institution have commenced, as approved by the State Executive Council”, Prince Kanu stated.
The Commissioner also revealed that the Executive Council has approved the recruitment of 5,300 teachers under the first phase of the Teacher Recruitment Exercise.
“This represents the number of people who were successful all through the process. Another round of teacher recruitment exercise will soon be announced. A portal in that regard will be opened in the next couple of days”, he said.
