In a bid to sanitise the state-owned university, in line with ongoing infrastructural transformation, the Abia State Executive Council has set up a 5-man Special Investigative Committee to ascertain the veracity of recent allegations of bribery, certificate forgery and harassment involving students and lecturers of Abia State University (ABSU).
The Committee, according to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed the resolution of the State Executive Council on the matter, headed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba.
Among its terms of reference include, to identify the perpetrators and make appropriate recommendations to the Visitor to the university; investigate, allegations of bribery and certificate forgery against a lecturer; to determine the extent of the implementation of the white paper on the 2024 full investigation panel to the university, to identify implementation gaps and any other matter that may be relevant to the ongoing transformation and restoration of Abia State University as a citadel of learning and excellence in teaching and research.
Members of the committee include the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Public Communication, Mr Dodoh Okafor as Secretary, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, Professor Idowu Eluwa, and Professor Lawrence Idemudua.
The Commissioner explained that the committee was set up not to witch hunt anyone but to ensure the highest level of academic and ethical standards in the institution and would work with the governing council of the university to carry out its assignment.
Prince Kanu also disclosed that the 2026 Annual School Census designed to “provide the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education reliable data for planning, policy formulation, and full access into the Hope Education Intervention Grant,” has commenced across the state, just as he revealed that the Abia State Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education has so far established 140 learning centres across the state to provide educational opportunities for adults and individuals who missed formal education earlier in life.
The Commissioner warned the public and commercial vehicles to imbibe cleanliness and proper waste disposal habits among passengers as the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, has commenced full enforcement of the use of waste bins in all commercial vehicles and would not condone littering the streets with garbage.
Kanu gave an update on road infrastructure efforts, saying that of 29 roads under contract, three have been completed and would be commissioned soon, while five of the 51 roads under the Direct Labour initiative have also been completed.
The contract road projects include; the 2.213 km Umuogo-Nsukwe ring road, the 5.95 km dualization of Onuimo Bridge -Abia Tower Road and the 11.5 km expansion/reconstruction of Nunya-Eluama Road.
The completed Direct Labour works include; maintenance of failed sections of Osisioma Flyover (600 metres), maintenance of failed sections of Port Harcourt -Enugu Expressway to Ugwunagbo LGA Secretariat (5.2 kilometres), maintenance and asphalt overlay of Adaelu road from Osisioma Junction to Mopol Base, Aba (2.7 kilometres), construction of Oberete-Umuopara Road, Obingwa LGA (1.03 kilometres) and construction of Geometric Power to Guineas Junction, Aba (2.66 kilometres).
