Encomium
…Says he is determined to return school to its past glory
Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has reiterated his determination to return the Imo State University to its past glory, noting that it is a task he must accomplish. He did when he paid a facility tour to the University on Thursday in the company of senior government officials.
While on the inspection of key facilities at the university, Governor Uzodimma thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the construction of the on-going male hostel by NDDC, as well as the TETFUND projects to be used as hostels for female students in the university.
The governor said it was heartwarming that the projects are available in the university and will go a long way in ensuring that his vision of accommodating the students in an environment where they will be effectively monitored and supervised has become a reality.
He said a firsthand assessment of the facilities in the School affords him the opportunity to also look at the challenges and how to deal with them.
The Governor, therefore, on behalf of Imo State Government thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Tetfund and NDDC for obliging the state of the facilities at IMSU and assured that it is the responsibility of Government to make judicious use of the them. “Government will do her best to make the School habitable and ensure that by the next session students will occupy all the hostels,” he said.
The Governor assuaged the fears of Imo people regarding the perceived decay in the school, promising that his government is prepared to confront all the challenges that face the University and made to lose its reputation. He noted: “Imo State University used to be number state University in Nigeria but today the story is different.”
He stated that after going through the report of the Visitation Panel on IMSU, “Government is provoked to take some actions that will bring back the School to the objective of founding fathers, by curtailing the menace of cultism and all forms of radicalism of the students.”
The Governor said students discipline is as important as the management of the Institution. “Therefore as a priority, admission of students into the School will be prioritized on the basis of those who are able to live in the school before considering those who chose to live outside the school, because when students are in the school, Government and the school authority will be able to look at their conduct and ensure the necessary and/or required discipline expected of every student of the University is met,” he added.
Governor Uzodimma recalled that IMSU is the only territory institution that Imo people can boost of as their own, “hence the need to work hard to ensure that the school is brought back to its past glory.”
He acknowledged that there are bound to be lapses in an institution of such nature, but with commitment on his side as the Governor (Visitor), the Management of the institution and the support of Imo people, the Shared Prosperity Government will be able the address such lapses.
Welcoming the Governor and his entourage to the University, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Adaobi Obasi thanked the Governor for intervening in the control of erosion that used to ravage the University in the past, eating up not less than 11 buildings and expressed gratitude that such ugly experience has not been witnessed in this year due to the massive drainage construction embarked upon by Governor Uzodimma to deal with the erosion menace.
She informed the governor that the gigantic male hostel is currently being used by the University as a Primary School because of the impact of erosion on the former site, promising that the primary school is now ready to return to its original place as erosion problem has been solved.
She thanked the Governor for coming and seeing for himself the challenges of the University and wished him well on behalf of the University Community.
The Governor was accompanied on the Visit by the Secretary to State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other members of the State Expanded Executive Council.
Oguwike Nwachuku
CPS/Media Adviser to Governor
