Ex-students of Abia State University (ABSU), at the weekend, gathered in Abuja to celebrate friendship, achievement, and brotherhood as part of their end of year dinner/reunion.
It was a moment of free for all dance, food, drinks and other merriment for the old ABSU students, who alongside their family members and friends gathered to celebrate the glory and academic excellence of their alma mater and themselves.
Conspicuously present at the meeting were some notable personalities that graduated from the school years ago, including former Ministers of FCT (Chuka Udom); Labour and Employment (Emeka Wogu); and Education (Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba), former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; former lawmakers, senior lawyers, businessmen, philanthropists, former and serving Federal Permanent Secretaries.
President, ABSU Alumi, Abuja branch, Dr. Nonye Obodo, in his welcome address, appreciated God for the journey of 2024, which has been tortous for the people due to the unfriendly economic policies of the government.
He said the 2024 end of year get-together became imperative for the alumni members to strengthen unity and friendship that had existed amongst them for decades, before and after graduation from the school.
He recalled that the university was established in the early 80s, and since then, had churned out individuals that had made great impacts in several areas of human endeavour, within Nigeria and beyond.
“So, we should be proud of ourselves as products of ABSU. Amongst us are movers and shakers in different sectors of the economy. We should raise our heads up anywhere we find ourselves because we are products of one of the best universities in the country, with evidence to show.
He asked for reinvigorated spirit and commitment from members to the affairs of the Association, assuring that the leadership of the Association is working assidously to bring succour to members who are in dire need, and provide support systems including interest-loans for members to access to improve whatever they are doing.
An alumnus and Federal Permanent Secretary, Maurice Mbaeri, in his remarks, appreciated the leadership of the Association for such a thoughtful idea of, periodically, reuniting members of the Association for the purposes of renewing friendship and brotherhood.
He challenged members of the Association to also engage in reaching out to each other and not wait for such a moment, which often comes once in a while.
He assured them of his deep commitment to supporting the activities of the Association, particularly in empowerment opportunities for members of the Association.
He also appealed to students of the school to take advantage of student loan programme being implemented by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) to fund their education, and not get frustrated because of financial constraints they might face along their education journey.
In his submission, the former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, in his remarks, recalled with nostalgia, the experiences and the impact the school had on him, and his career and political journey.
He assured them of maximum support to the building project being done in Abuja by the Association that will serve several purposes for the Association and the school.
Meanwhile, some members of the Association who made significant contributions to the growth and development of the Association were presented with appreciation awards.
