By SAMPSON Uhuegbu
The governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has put smiles in the faces of First Class graduands of Abia State University ABSU by offering automatic lecturing jobs to them, and awarded postgraduate scholarships up to doctorate degree level to all the First Class Graduands.
The Governor revealed this at ABSU, on Friday, March 27th, during the 30th – 32nd combined convocation ceremony of ABSU as he offered Graduate Assistants lecturing job at the university and further study to all the First Class graduands of the combined convocation ceremony.
“I am glad to announce that approval has been given to the University Management to immediately commence the process of retaining all the First-Class graduates as graduate assistants, subject to the completion of their National Youth Service.
“This privilege shall also be extended to the best graduating students across the entire department so long as the cumulative grade point average is up to 4.25.
“Additionally, all first-class graduates of the University across the three convocations shall be awarded postgraduate scholarships to any public university of their choice within the country up to doctorate degree level.
“Of course, you know that this is subject to the acceptance of the teaching offer that we have already made” Gov. Otti.
The chief executive further directed the State Head of Service to identify immediate gaps in the civil service structure that could be filled with 100 exceptional graduates from the three graduating sets .
He stressed that, “special consideration shall be given to graduates with degrees in Education, Computer Sciences, Statistics, Health and Medical Sciences and other areas of critical need.
He further stated that it shall be subject to the completion of the NYSC programme,” he said.
He reitereted that he has earmarked 200 million Naira to support up to 100 graduates with innovative business plans and enterprise initiatives to start and scale their businesses.
The governor disclosed that the proposals should prioritise ideas around agriculture, ICT and clean energy products and in other relevant enterprise front lines and should be submitted electronically to a dedicated email address oggh@abiastate.gov.ng
on or before April 30th, 2026.
The Governor, congratulated the 10500 graduands on their successes and on a personal note gave a cash gift of 5 million Naira to Mrs. Oluchi Etumsi, the over all best graduating student.
He also congratulated the deserving honorees including His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, Barr. Dr Allen Onyema, the founder and Chairman of Air Peace and Dr Stella Okoli, the CEO of Emzor Pharmaceutical Ltd. and urged them to carry the torch of recognition with pride.
Dr Otti added that no society can develop beyond the limits of its investments in learning and assured that provisions shall be made within the limits of available resources to bring ABSU at par with the best of the Universities,
“For us, there is no better social legacy than a University that awakens the spirit of enquiry in the minds of men, women, old, and young”.
Governor Otti also used the occasion to flagged off the proposed reconstruction of the Abia State University international Secondary School.
Speaking earlier, the Chancellor of the University, Barr. Mrs Catherine Uju- Ifejika appreciated the Governor for his unwavering support and developmental strides in the University.
She reitereted that the Governor’s commitment to educational excellence stems from a clear understanding that education shapes future leaders and preserves societal values.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu congratulated the graduands and recipients of the honorary degrees, described their academic achievements as a testament to their perseverance, excellence and enduring value of knowledge.
He hinted that the Governor has through his intervention made their mandate of repositioning the institution as a world – class institution in the comity of Universities across the globe possible.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor, of the university, Prof. Ndukwe Okeudo lauded Governor Otti for prioritising worker’s welfare, including defraying backlog of salaries owed staff by previous administrations and noted that staff of the Institution now receive their monthly salaries before the end of every month thereby boosting their morals.
Prof. Okeudo named some ongoing capital projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Alex Otti including the new Faculty of Law, 5,000 – Capacity male Hostel, 5000 – Capacity Female Hostel, Construction of internal roads, installation of Solar – Powered Street lights, Supply of Educational Engineering Equipment for civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Department among others.
The Convocation was attended by VC,s of sister Universities, academics and senior Government appointees.
