From Nnaya Eziyi, Umuahia
Gov Okezie Ikpeazu
The Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has approved a bailout fund of N400,000.00 for the Abia State University,Uturu (ABSU) to settle some of its indebtedness.
This followed a strong representation by the management and staff of the state-owned university to cover some financial shortfalls the university suffered due to COVID-19 lockdown.
While announcing the approval he said he was mindful that the University has remained a strong model in resources management and maintenance of academic stability.
He said since the inception of his administration the ABSU has remained and manifested in the consistent improvements in the rating of the state universities by independent assessment agencies in the country.
The governor maintained that the pandemic which took the entire globe by surprise had altered the smooth academic environment in the ABSU leading to obvious disequilibrium in their financial inflows.
Explaining that he believes that the intervention will provide the management the needed impetus to jump-start academic activities in the ABSU assured them of his continued support.
The government’s intervention may not be unconnected with a protest by the staff of the ABSU yesterday over alleged nonpayment of their salaries for six months.
The protesters were members Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
