VOLCANIC ERUPTION AT ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY, UTURU

olcanoes are unheard of in Nigeria. Elementary, secondary and tertiary Geography has never forecast any kind of volcano in Nigeria. To my surprise I witnessed an active Volcano of corrupt administration at the Abia State University, Uturu. In fact, the volcano is still there, roaring and pouring down the hills of the small town, Uturu. Just in case you have never visited Uturu or probably have never heard of the town, then prepare for a brief literary journey to the town (with me) now. Truly, there is corruption volcano spilling hot lavas into the valleys of the Abia state ivory tower.


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Uturu is an Igbo town in Abia state of South-eastern Nigeria. It has a population of about 42, 000 distributed unequally among seven villages. The town is wrapped up within high hills that form a dainty sight of nature. The Abia State University is sandwiched in between three of these hills. The town is naturally inviting and beautiful with the love of Igbo culture. Its major industries are agriculture and education. It is the major supplier of graduates for the State because of the presence of the State's main university campus sited within the coffers of its land. Unfortunately, that's where the volcano is taking place.

Corruption was not born in Nigeria and neither does Nigeria hold the patent for corruption. It is simply a social ill that grows like a quick desert that encroaches into a health forest, ravaging it of its natural treasures. It is not something new either; it has existed since the beginning of time. But when corruption engulfs a university, it eats away the efficiency of the future of a nation and spitting the falsities of damnation behind for the nation to eat. There is corruption n all Nigerian universities - Abia State University is only one case.

The thought of the kind of things happening in our universities is at best too worrying for any sane mind. In fact, sometimes one wonders how professors and their intellectual colleagues are putting up the shows that are taking place in the university houses. When it comes to the damning truth that these eminent gentle men and women (universities professors and other staff) are among the weavers of the ill shows ravaging our universities, one wonders where we are heading to.

When a critical look is taken at the situation in Nigerian universities, it reveals the destination of this whole situation. Then one is forced to understand why we students are stooges. Corruption has been and is still the greatest challenge to education. To eschew it is the responsibility of all, from parents to students and even the student unions on campuses across the nation - but most of all, the university authorities

I have experienced the way life is in the universities. I have heard it too and have even read a lot of issues from the renowned Chronicle of Higher Education which has a reputation for educational news. Its highly informed news on education and educational Institutions around the world normally gives good light on the state of Higher education and Higher educational institutions around the world. What baffles any constant reader about educational news in the Chronicles is the accuracy with which it captures the happenstances in the Nigerian educational system from far away Washington DC where its main office is based. This is the major reason I stick my head close to the mouth-piece of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

From the Chronicle of Higher Education, I read it on time when and how 'the University of Port Harcourt, in southeastern Nigeria, has revoked the degrees of 7,254 of its graduates in a major crackdown on academic fraud.' And 'the head of the university, Nimi Briggs, said that those stripped of their degrees had either cheated on examinations or falsified their academic records, and that the fraud dated back to the class that entered in 1996.' Good news! From Nigeria!!

From the Chronicle of Higher Education, I read how 'in October 2000, the World Bank's chief education specialist for Africa, William Saint, was touring Nigerian universities to drum up support for a $100-million loan the bank was offering to help modernize the country's decaying universities. The (expected) money would help universities connect to the Internet; develop teaching programs, and train lecturers and administrators. The loan would be paid back without interest over 30 years.' Good news too! But a lot of bad news still flow from the tunnels of our universities to the world. To describe the bad omens happening in our universities today, one needs some Shakespearean ingenuity to really employ all the figures of speech and grammatical technique needed for such written expressions. Truly I lack all of that and that's why I may just leave you with just one hint on the issue.

Recently, a relative accosted me, seeking for assistance, concerning the admission of his daughter into Abia State University Uturu. He told me the daughter passed the JAMB examination which qualifies her to sit for the local selection exam of ABSU (Abia State University Uturu). Having scored 55points that should earn her admission into the department of Bio Chemistry. She was however not admitted. Instead, students with lower score were offered the admission because their parents had to present flat screen desktop Computer or laptops, 2-3no as the case may be'.

I raised an eyebrow doubting his statement and in fact suggesting to him that his daughter may not have passed the exam. Why should the university demand a laptop or computer from each student admitted instead sound academic performance from entrance examination and good/creditable WAEC result? Besides, I queried if the computer is meant for the individual's use but was told it is for the school. As my cousin could not convince me, I took the issue up with one of our respected traditional rulers (HRH) and he confirmed it to be the practice at ABSU and that one of their own colleagues, a traditional ruler in the locality, succumbed to similar demand by providing 3 computers to the State University to secured admission for his ward.

Also, admission costs as much as between N150,000.00 ($1300.00) to N500,000.00($3500.00) depending on the course of study, irrespective of whether you pass Jamb or the school local exams. The son of a late friend of mine is currently denied admission for the guardian inability to provide the money. It does not matter your WAEC score. I am concerned because this portends danger for Abia PEOPLE.

It is a well known fact that admission quotas are allocated to some highly placed individuals who in turn sell it off to prospective students as a way of making money. This is an institutionalized corruption by the University authority, may lead to destruction of our youths. As they are unable able to pay the extortion fee and would result to all manner of social vices. It is also a common knowledge that PTDF awarded contract for the installation of scientific equipment which includes computers in the university - yet computer donation has gained grounds as a major criterion for admission purpose. It is shameful to think that there is Vice Chancellor heading such an institution, and condoning such corrupt policies even more shameful as this will never lift the standard of education in the state. The Abia State University was not meant to serve the interest of the people or the Vice Chancellor and his cohorts.

Issues like these are what one expects EFCC to delve into in order to rescue universities from being run like some village pub institutions. The Abia State Governor, Theophilus Orji, is has a mandate to serve Abia state from dropping too low down the illiteracy land intellectual idiocy lines.

Admission processes should be investigated in Abia state university. Such investigations should be headed by the Anti-Corruption Agencies of the state or federal government. Illegal admissions in Abia State University should be wiped out as quickly as possible. Existing students and students unions should form a pressure group against my anti-corruption movement. Fake students of the university should have their studentship cancelled. And implicated university staff should be punished according to the law.

An environment in which corruption flourishes is produced by internal factors, relating to the education system's decision-making and management structure, and external factors, linked to the overall environment in which the education system functions. Abia state University is not an exception, since nearly 100% of Nigerian ivory towers suffer from the same eruption of this volcano of corruption. Lack of transparent procedures in supervision and disciplinary matters offers opportunities for corruption, such as the problems of extortions, ghost students, teachers and teacher absenteeism. More importantly, poor management, characterized by low capacity to use funds efficiently, weak accounting and monitoring systems, and a lack of control mechanisms and supervision, creates the risk of embezzlement. These things have to be controlled and the best place to begin the fight to rescue the ivory towers' standard could be Abia State University, Uturu - where the volcano corruption is very active today.