Commercial activities boosted as Abia University matriculation

Abia State University had targeted to garner a revenue of about sixty five million, five hundred and twenty thousand naira ( N65,520,000.00 ) from matriculating 4,368 fresh students for the 2023/2924 session at the weekend.

Each matriculant was to pay N15,000.00 as cost of hiring the Regalia comprising Gown and Cap and Brochure, as was pre-announced by the University Registrar, Dr Acho Elendu.

Wait- and – Take Photographers, food and refreshments vendors among others, adorned the campus with their services and wares while students, their parents and guardians from vehicles and arranged stands, entertained their guests.

Merry making galored, transport fares rose sharply as thousands trooped weekend to the university at Uturu for its 42nd matriculation ceremony.

Fuel prices increased up to N900.00 and N1000 .00 per liter, transport fares by to 100% increase depending on where one came from and returning to and the the time of catching a vehicle.

Matriculation attendants from Umuahia, Aba, Owerri, Enugu, etc were reportedly charged up to N3000, N5500, N6,500, N7000 from N2000, N,4000, N5000 and N6,000 transport fares respectively for the return journeys against less they paid when coming.

The Vice Chancellor ( VC ) professor Onyemachi Ogbulu in his address described the 42nd matriculation ceremony as very significant ” for being the first held under the watch of our Education friendly Governor and Visitor Dr Alex Chioma Otti OFR.

” We are very grateful for his unprecedented support in many ways, especially in the areas of security, payment of salaries, academic development and for the continued engagements to reposition ABSU in line with globally acceptable standard”

He tasked the new students to strictly abide by the provisions of the oath administered on them , which included ; not to de- market the university on the social media, or involve in cultism, illicit drugs, examination malpractices and indecent dressing.

Should pay their fees when due, register Courses Online and report their grievances through designated channels, warning that the extant sanctions will be applied on those that disregard these stipulations.

He also charged them to strive to surpass the impressive performances of ABSU graduates in external examinations namely; Law School, Nursing/Wifery, Optometry, Pharmacy etc and in their professional practices.

” We boast of highly qualified and research-oriented Scholars whose works are constantly attracting TETFund and global sponsorship. It is true that we have our own fair share of problems but the truth is that a lot of the negative things heard about our University are grossly exaggerated.

He also urged the students parents and guardians not to discouraged them from studying the courses they were admitted for but leave God to be their guide in life after graduation.

Travellers to the matriculation from Umuahia, Aba, Owerri, Enugu, etc were reportedly charged up to N3000, N5500, N6,500, N7000 from N2000, N,4000, N5000 and N6,000 respectively.

According to reports, many attendants were still stranded as at 7pm waiting vehicles to their destinations such that some had to board Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycles to get to Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway for any available Transport while those that could afford Hotel costs, resorted to them falling victim to kidnapping that thrive in the area.

Some persons spoken to over the telephone, told Nigeria Reports. ng that they returned to Aba, Owerri, Enugu and Nsukka by 9.20, 8.45, 10.05 pm at costs of N7,000, N7,500, N,10,000.00 and N12,000.00 respectively.