Glory Days Ahead For Abia State University, National Alumni Association Bounces Back 

The National Body of Abia State University Alumni Association has been in existence since 2006. It is however, sad to note that it has lacked the visibility expected of it, all this while, as the Association has nothing to show for its existence and resulting from some controversies occasioned by some of the members. It has become very shameful that other Alumni Associations are flourishing, even in Abia State, while the National Body of Abia State University Alumni Association has almost gone into extinction (as remarked by some persons). The situation led to the intervention of the University Council and Management who called together the National President, Chief Dr. Umeh Kalu (SAN) and his executive committee members as well as the stakeholders of the Association for an interaction to devise the way forward for the Alumni Association.

The interactive meeting was held in July, 2025 at the Faculty of Law, Umuahia Campus of  Abia State University  and had, in attendance, Rt. Hon. Dr. Agwu U. Agwu (Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of  Council), Prof. E.I. Akubugwo (DVC Academic.Rep. of the VC), Prof. J. U. Ogbonna (DVC Administration), Dr. Acho Elendu (Registrar), Dr. (Mrs) Martha Ibeneme (Ag.University Librarian), Elder Comrade Ojo Ezichi Obasi (Alumni Relations officer), Chief Dr. Umeh Kalu (SAN) (National President of ABSU Alumni Association),  members of the National Executive Committee as well as numerous stakeholders of the Alumni Association.

The Council Chairman, Rt. Hon. Dr. Agwu U. Agwu, informed the gathering that the essence of the meeting was to interact with the EXCO members of the Alumni Association, stakeholders and the University management in order to resolve the lingering controversial issues that had remained as threats to the existence of the National body of the Alumni Association and set the necessary machinery for proper functioning of the Alumni Association.

He stated that on his appointment and assumption of duty as the Council Chairman of Abia State University, he enquired about the existence and activities of the Alumni Association but the responses he received were not encouraging. He added that the report of the Visitation Panel to the University was also in agreement with the report of his investigations into the existence and activities of the Alumni Association. He also made the gathering to understand that, as at that moment,  the University Governing Council had not yet been properly constituted  due to  the absence of the representative of the Alumni Association.. Consequently, the Council mandated the Vice-Chancellor of the University to see to the resolution of all the controversial issues of the Alumni Association and reposition it for effective synergy with the University Management and for the growth of the institution. 

He however, stated that he had earlier met with the key players of the Association prior to the meeting, and they all agreed that the Alumni Association must be repositioned. 

The Council Chairman  stressed on the negative impacts of having different factions of the Alumni Association on the University, the Alumni (Graduates) and the current students of the University. He further reiterated the important roles Alumni Association plays in the development of the University in particular and the state in general and highlighted some of the losses the members have incurred with the existence of the factions (or non-existence of the Alumni Association) for quite some time. 

The Deputy Vice – Chancellor (Academic), Prof Prof. E.I. Akubugwo, representing the Vice-Chancellor, further highlighted on achievements of the present administration of Abia State led by His Excellency, Dr.Alex Chioma Otti which have changed the past narratives of the University. He went further to enumerate some of the visible changes made by His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, such as the establishment of 18 megawatt electricity expected to give the University steady power supply, setting up a new permanent faculty of law at Uturu, retrofitting of hostels A and B, approval for the recruitment of staff to avoid de-accreditation of the University’s academic programmes and strategizing with security agencies on ways to curb insecurity within the University and the environs. According to him, “Now, Abia State University is truly a conventional University with Departments, such as: Pharmacy, Engineering, Environmental Studies and many others”. He went further so state that five (5) law graduates of the University made 1^st class in the Nigerian law school Bar. Examinations for the 2024 session. 

In his remarks, Barr. Umeh Kalu (SAN) (National President of ABSU Alumni Association), thanked the University Council and the Management for gathering members of the National Executive Committee and Stakeholders of the Alumni Association for such an interactive meeting to enable them look into some of the controversial issues of the Alumni Association and devise the way(s) to resolve them so that the Alumni Association would move forward. He said that at the time he became the President of the Alumni Association, he clearly stated his mission and vision for the Association and his preparedness to serve and take the Association to an enviable height nationally and internationally but met stiff opposition/resistance from the University Management then who made it very difficult for the Association to operate effectively.  He noted that 90% of the setbacks of the Alumni Association was caused by the past principal officers of the University who, according to him, strategized ways of creating inter and intra pandemonium within the Alumni to enable them (the officers) have their (criminal) intent accomplished.  

He reiterated that the University management then caused the problems for the Association, stressing on very many occasions he challenged the management on certain objectionable issues that were detrimental to the smooth operation of the Association. Yet, the management ignored everything.

He however, stated his desire and efforts to take the Association to an enviable height but expressed disappointment for the inability of the Alumni Association to live up to expectation and against his mission and vision for the Association.

Other stakeholders also spoke on some of the controversial issues that impacted negatively on the Association and expressed the desire to jettison all of them and forge ahead.

All the controversial issues were resolved and to the satisfaction of all the members who consequently, spoke with one voice to chart a way forward for the Alumni Association.  

With the resolution of all the controversial issues and the desire to chart a way forward for the Alumni Association, the National Executive Committee led by Chief Dr. Umeh Kalu (SAN) was dissolved and a National Cater Taker Committee was constituted to oversee the activities of the Alumni Association for a while.

Consequently, the following persons were appointed to serve as members of the caretaker committee:

The committee was given six (6) months to function and charged to:

• Re-Invigorate/Strengthen all the existing Chapters of Abia State University Alumni Associations anywhere in the world.
• Establish/Create new Chapters of ABSU Alumni Association everywhere in the world.
• Conduct Election for Alumni Representative In Council
• Mobilize and Conduct the General Elections to elect a new Executive Committee of Abia State University Alumni Association and using the existing constitution of the Association.

At the inaugural meeting of the caretaker committee, reports from existing chapters such as: Umuahia, Uyo, Owerri, Aba, Port Harcourt, Okigwe, Abuja and Lagos (Alumni Lgends) were received and decisions were taken to strengthen all the existing ones and embark on the establishment of other chapters all over the world.

Presently, the committee has succeeded in establishing and inaugurating Lagos Chapter and has, as well, started making preparations for the establishment and inauguration of Enugu and Ohafia Chapters of the Alumni Association.

Again, the committee has been able to establish contact with the US Chapter of ABSU Alumni Association. The leader of the Chapter welcomed the development and promised to partner with the National Body in the efforts to add value to Abia State University. Efforts have also been put in place to link up with UK chapter(s) and other chapters in diaspora. 

The Abia State Government, led by His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, the University Management and Council have expressed much concern in the affairs of the Alumni Association.

Therefore, all the graduates of the University are urged to spread the news about the Alumni Association and establish a chapter of the Association wherever they are. 

Therefore, let all the graduates of Abia State University join hands in Repositioning, Projection and Promotion of the ABSU Alumni Association and enjoy the benefits.

GREAT IKENGAS and IKENGRESSES !!! GREAT !