The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IMSU

  • IMSU don, five others die in Imo auto crash

    IMSU don, five others die in Imo auto crash

    • Uzodimma commiserates with victims’ families

    Six persons on Saturday night died at the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri Junction when a trailer driver lost control and rammed into vehicles and passersby.

    It was gathered that the incident happened around 7pm.

    An eyewitness, Chidiebube Okeoma, who witnessed the incident, said he helped to rush some of  the victims to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri.

    According to him, the driver of the articulated vehicle, who was coming from the town to the Owerri-Okigwe lane of the road drove against traffic and hit the loaded commuter buses and an electric pole nearby, leading to the death of some of the victims.

    Some passersby made efforts to save the victims, as they rushed them to nearby hospitals but there were no doctors on duty. The victims were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri.

    While one died on the spot, five others died at the hospital.

    Among the victims was a lecturer at IMSU, who was identified as Dr. Nicholas Isinwa from the Department of Marketing, an indigene of the Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of the state.

    The lecturer’s brother, Okpor Dominic, said his death was tragic.

    Medical personnel battled to save the lives of others who were in coma. Okeoma said: “We took them to FMC after the nearby hospitals couldn’t offer any help. The vehicle smashed them after it lost control at the IMSU junction. Unfortunately six persons have been confirmed dead while others were being attended to.”

    Read Also: Speaker Abbas seeks reconciliation for aggrieved APC members nationwide

    Residents called on the state government to put an end to the perennial auto crashes at the IMSU Junction.

    The police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed that six persons died on the spot while others were being attended to at the FMC in Owerri.

    Meanwhile, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma has expressed sadness over the loss of lives in an accident.

    The governor directed a response team, including security agencies, that assisted in taking the injured to hospitals and the fatal ones to the mortuary, including the State Commissioner for Health, to follow up and ensure that adequate medical attention is given to those on admission.

    The governor, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy,  Declan Emelumba, also directed an investigation into the accident to identify the culprits who should be made to face the law.

  • IMSU wins southeast zonal debate competition, advances to nationals

    IMSU wins southeast zonal debate competition, advances to nationals

    Imo State University (IMSU) has emerged victorious in the southeast zonal round of the national debating competition, earning a spot to represent the zone at the national finals in Abuja.

    IMSU students, Okolie Ugochukwu and Osuji Noel Oziomachukwu will represent the zone at the national competition.

    The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) came second and will compete against the second runner-up from the southwest and south-south zones. If FUTO secures the highest points among the three, it will also proceed to the nationals.

    The zonal competition, themed “My Nigeria, Our Nigeria,” was held at Imo State University, Owerri.

    Yiaga Africa organized the event in partnership with the Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) and All Nigerians Debating Council (ANDC) to provide a platform for young people to express their thoughts and ideas about the Nigeria of their dreams.

    According to the senior communications officer at Yiaga Africa, Mark Amaza, “Debating is a powerful tool to shape minds and drive change. We want to inspire young people to verbalize and visualize the Nigeria they desire and take action towards making it a reality.”

    Read Also: Police arrest 300-level IMSU student over killing of final year FUTO student

    “So the idea of the debate is for them to discuss different topics around governance, politics, democracy, and citizenship in terms of their vision of Nigeria, what they want Nigeria to be.”

    A senior programme officer at Yiaga Africa, Anthonia Onda, added: “Our objective is to give young people a platform to express themselves on issues of citizenship, politics, and governance. We want to stir up conversations among young people and grow their interest in engaging with these issues.”

    Yiaga Africa plans to organize a national debate competition at the secondary school level in the future, in addition to the university-level competition.

    She said the winning team from the zonal round will proceed to the national finals, where they will compete against teams from other geopolitical zones.

  • Row over missing clothes turns bloody

    Row over missing clothes turns bloody

    A protracted disagreement between Anesthesia Onwunezi, a graduating student of Religion at the Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri, and her roommate, Glory John, a 200-Level Education Guidance and Counselling student, turned bloody last Sunday. Anesthesia was said to have stabbed Glory during an argument over her missing clothes. EKENE AHANEKU (600-Level Medicine and Surgery) reports.

    What started as an argument between two students of the Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri, last Sunday, ended in a bloody scuffle. A graduating student of Religion, Anesthesia Onwunezi (known as Stacy) allegedly stabbed her roommate, Glory Ezinne John, a 200-Level Education Guidance and Counselling student, with a pair of scissors during a disagreement over clothes.

    It all happened at the Albert Akaegbulam Memorial Hostel, an off-campus Hall of Residence, at the school’s Back Gate.

    During the melee, Stacy allegedly used the scissors to pierce Glory’s face and her hand.  Stacy subsequently went to report the matter at a police station in a bid to get Glory arrested.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the roommates had been living like cat and mouse since they were allotted the same room in the hostel. They usually engaged in exchange of hot words over missing clothes. Other occupants of the hostel, it was learnt, regularly intervened each time they had a disagreement.

    The latest disagreement began when Glory found out that some of her clothes were missing. Suspecting that Stacy must have stolen the clothes, Glory picked Stacy’s clothes from her wardrobe and hid them.

    Narrating how the fight started, Glory told CAMPUSLIFE: “I always noticed that my clothes in the room were getting missing. I noticed this a few weeks after I became Stacy’s roommate about 10 months ago. Whenever I asked her about the missing clothes, she would ignore my questions. When this did not stop, I reported to the hostel manager who did not respond. I kept having my clothes and other personal belongings missing until I decided to hide Stacy’s clothes.”

    So when Stacy returned to the hostel, she noticed that some of her clothes were missing from where she kept them. When she enquired from Glory, the 200-Level Education Guidance and Counseling student owned up, saying  the clothes were in  her possession.

    “I confronted her with evidence that she had been the one stealing my clothes. I told her if she didn’t release my clothes, I won’t bring out her own clothes too,” Glory said.

    The argument continued till the evening and Stacy became impatient to retrieve her clothes from Glory. When Glory stepped towards the kitchen corner in their apartment, Stacy demanded the release of her clothes but Glory refused. Stacy swiftly picked the pair of scissors stabbed Glory in the face and cut her fingers.

    “Stacy’s aim was to kill me. After she stabbed me and I was bleeding, I made an attempt to run outside but I discovered that she had locked the door. I struggled to open the door, while I was screaming for help. Other occupants rushed to the scene and forced the door open to rescue me,” Glory explained.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Stacy turned down entreaties by neighbours, urging her to take Glory to the hospital for treatment after the bloody fracas. Instead, she went to report the incident at a police to get Glory arrested for theft. Stacy allegedly told the police that all the hostel occupants ganged up to harm her.

    Stains of blood welcomed the policemen at the hostel. The hostel occupants led the police to the clinic where Glory was being treated. When the policemen found out the statement given them by Stacy ran contrary to what happened in hostel, they returned to their station without making any arrest. At this time, Stacy had allegedly fled station.

    When he learnt about the incident, the hostel manager was said to have reported the matter at the Criminal Investigation Department of the police in Owerri.

    CAMPUSLIFE made efforts to get Stacy to comment, but she neither picked calls nor replied to text messages our correspondent sent to her mobile phone. A man identified as Stacy’s brother, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE on telephone, said: “The matter has been resolved. I won’t give further comment on this.”

    He terminated the call afterwards and switched off his phone.

    Glory’s brother, Kingsley, denied the matter had been resolved. He threatened to take up the matter to ensure Stacy is punished for hurting his sister.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Kingsley said: “I still don’t know the reason the police have not arrested Stacy up till this moment. We can no longer tolerate this excuse from the police. A citizen’s life was threatened, yet the police expect we sweep the matter under the carpet. I will push on this fight to ensure my sister gets justice.”

    When our correspondent visited Glory on Monday night, she confirmed Stacy’s parents and siblings visited her, pleading on her behalf.

    Glory said: “Her parents were with me for hours, begging me not to allow the matter get out of hand. But, Stacy has remained unremorseful and has not called nor visited me since the incident took place.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the landlord of the property had issued Stacy a quit notice. She was expected to pack her belongings out of the hostel last Tuesday.

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) Director of Information, Godwin Joseph, described the incident as disturbing, wondering why a student could go to the extent of threatening the life of her roommate. He said Stacy’s behaviour was an indication of how senior colleagues treated freshers.

    He said: “We will continue to plead with the school management as they are about to open the new hostels in the school. They should allow all 100-Level students to be accommodated on campus. This will help reduce the common incidents of senior students maltreating their junior colleagues because they share rooms in off-campus hostels.

    “We understand the effort the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Victoria Obasi, is making to protect students on and off-campus, especially the female students. We expect this incident to further accelerate efforts to ensure safety of freshers. We thank God that the student that was stabbed is responding to treatment, but her face is left with scars of injuries.”

     

     

  • KOREDE BELLO, REEKADO BANKS SHUT DOWN IMSU

    TELECOMS firm, Globacom has wrapped up its campus to campus concert with a superlative show at the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri.

    The show which took place last weekend at the main auditorium of the institution, featured top class entertainers; Reekado Banks, Korede Bello while 2CanTalk, the Enugu-based comedian held the audience spell-bound all evening.

    The artistes gave the university community a yuletide treat with comedy, dance and music at their best; and the crowd savoured every moment of the show, swaying, laughing and clapping  to the music and jokes from the stage.

    The event began with commendable performances from up-coming talents from the university community like Dimky, Roger-Lino, Lee Ray, Lambasixx, Ok David and Young Prince who gave a good account of their talents.

    But the heat of the night was turned up when Reekado banks stepped on stage with his Looku Looku track. From that he shifted the equally hit tracks like Chop Am, Sugar Baby; Problem and Katapot. He ended with the award-winning Oluwa Ni song.

    Korede Bello followed up on Reekado’s sterling performance with a superb show that really connected with the crowd. He sang his Mungo Park track and the hall erupted in wild excitement. He followed it up with the One and Only, Adaobi, Do It Like That and Relative tracks in quick succession.

    He closed the night with Godwin and the hall just merged into one large choir as they sang along.

    There was also a beauty pageant which produced the IMSU “Glo Campus Data Dude” Nnamdi Tochukwu emerged winner to take homeN100,000 cash prize, while Okpala Ugochukwu, Raphael Chindah, Egbule Obinna and Chiamonwu Victor won N50,000 each.

    In the female category, Amamihe Jennifer was crowned IMSU “Glo Campus Data Diva” and she won N100,000.  Runners-up in that category who went home with N50,000 each  included Nzediegwu Adaugu, Emetubelem Grace, Okochie Theresa and Mojekwu Chineye.

  • No ‘baptism’ for IMSU graduates

    The celebration that usually marks the final examination of graduating students may have gone for good at the Imo State University (IMSU). After their final papers, the graduating students shunned ‘baptism’ for fear of being punished by the management. EKENE AHANEKU (400-Level Medicine and Surgery) reports.

    After writing their final examination, they came out confidently from the hall and hugged to congratulate themselves on the completion of their first degree. After this, the students parted ways. There was no ‘baptism’ – a rite that usually follows such exercise.

    That was how graduating students of the Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri marked their final activities in the school, on Wednesday last week.  Thanks to the warning by the university management before the second semester examination began.

    The management, through its Public Relations Officer, Ralph Njoku, issued the warning titled: “No baptism”. He said the university would not condone wild celebration after the examination.

    The warning was to prevent a repeat of the wild celebration during which graduating students splash themselves with various kinds of liquids. Last November, the exercise ended tragically, with the death of Chisom Chukwudiebube, a 200-Level Government Education student, who drowned in a cesspit.

    Mass Communication students jubilating after their final exam
    Mass Communication students jubilating after their final exam

    After their final papers, students of the Department of Mass Communication left the campus without ‘baptism’. A few of them came together to take photographs.

    This was the situation at the faculties of Education, Social Sciences and Humanities. Students gathered for decorous celebration. It was fun for some students; they drove gently round the campus in flashy cars, chanting ‘song of victory’. Some other gathered to dance as music blared from their cars.

    The celebration continued as more departments finish exams. The graduating students were clad in customised shirts, with inscriptions, such as “4years = 8 semesters”, “1,460 days = 71courses”, “graduating = #GodWin”, among others.

    Despite the school warning, some students still held ‘baptism’ in their off-campus hostels. Graduating students living in such hostels stayed indoors to prevent being caught. But, some offered themselves for ‘baptism’ to remember the moment.

    “I feel better and free,” said Frank Eluagu, a graduating Mass Communication student. He said his graduation was a step towards the achieving his dream. “I feel free not to waste my time and resources but to engage myself in activities that are geared towards achieving my dream,” he added.

    Samuel Mbagwu, a graduating Business Administration student, knelt down at entrance of his department, praying: “I thank God for seeing me through without any carry over or missing script.”

    The celebration was spectacular at the Department of Political Science, graduating students, where were clad in customised clothes, entertained their junior colleagues with different dance steps. One of them, who is a hip-hop artiste, invited fellow artistes to thrill his colleagues.

    •The graduating students of Political Science celebrating
    •The graduating students of Political Science celebrating

    At the Faculty of Sciences, the tone of the celebration was low. As the graduating science students left the examination hall, some of them left the campus hurriedly.

    Chidera Okeke, a graduating Physics student, said: “I am happy everything is over. It’s the Lord’s doing and I pray it will not be the end of our lives.”

    Recalling her activities as president of Faculty of Science, Chidera said: “I will be remembered for the change I introduced in my faculty politics. I worked with the Dean and also leaders of the Students’ Union. I am part of the students, who revived the union and this is a great achievement for me. Today, I am leaving the school a fulfilled man.”

    At the Department of Optometry, students gathered to pray for successful completion of the six-years course.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Christian Duru, a graduating Optometry student, said: “After years of studies, I am delighted that my hard work and effort have yielded success. I will forever cherish the relationship I had with my lecturers and colleagues.”

    Christian also recalled his political activities, saying: “I was a legislator in the Students’ Union parliament, where I was the chairman of a committee that wrote a new constitution for the union. As the National President of Nigerian Optometric Students Association (NOSA), I facilitate acquisition of new bus for students’ use. I will be remembered for these activities and I encourage my junior colleagues to remain focus to achieve their academic pursuit.”

     

     

     

  • IMSU inducts 200 medical scientists

    No fewer than 200 graduating students of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science of the Imo State University (IMSU) have been inducted.

    The event held during the department’s 11th induction at the university auditorium.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Ukachukwu Aloysius, represented by his deputy on Academics, Prof C. I. Ubochi, congratulated the inductees on the successful completion of their degree courses, saying the occasion was the beginning of their service to humanity.

    The VC said graduates, who have have been found worthy in character and learning, must promote the ideals of the profession and show good qualities in practice.

    The Head of Department (HOD), Dr Ambrose Opara, reminded the inductees of the importance of the oath, saying it was an acceptance into the profession’s hall of fame. He advised the Medical Laboratory Science graduates to uphold the ethics and use it to guide their conduct.

    He urged them to be good ambassador of their alma mater and make their parents proud by conducting themselves in responsible manner.

    The Dean, Faculty of Health Science, Prof. J. N. Nnadozie, in his speech titled: Many were called but a few were chosen, said the inductees must preserve the tradition of excellence for which the school is known. He said prayers for the graduates, advising them to be good members of the profession.

    The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCON), Prof Anthony Emeribe, said the induction  was not about an individual but the well-being of the profession and its future.

    He said practitioners must uphold the core values of the Medical Laboratory Science, advising the graduands to show humility and respect to their senior colleagues.

    Emeribe said the quality of service delivery made the council to be first member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) in West and Central Africa, with a mandate to accredit and regulate medical laboratory schools in Africa.

     

  • How we run free education at IMSU, by VC

    How we run free education at IMSU, by VC

    Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University (IMSU), Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie speaks on the secret of running a tuition-free university and the scorecard of his administration with OKODILI NDIDI.

    How will you rate the performance of the free education programme?

    Impressive. The free education of the Imo State University is a huge success. As we speak Commissioners of Education from other states have been coming to the University to study how we managed the programme so that they can introduce it in their respective states.

    How have you been able to manage the university relying mainly on subvention?

    It has always been my candid opinion that universities should, to a great extent, be self sustaining financially. I have always reiterated my plan to lay a solid foundation, upon the expiration of my tenure, which would ensure that the university would be able to generate a bulk of the resources for its operations through research outlets, endowments, alumni organisations and partnerships/linkages with national and international organizations.

    Upon assumption of duty, I discovered that the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine had been focusing more on theoretical rather than practical aspect of its mandate. To put the Faculty on sound footing and to ensure that it serves not only as an institute for the propagation of knowledge, but also a major income earner for the university, my administration has been able to among other things; increased the number of birds in the poultry section to such an extent that the poultry presently sells eggs and birds to the university community and members of the public. We increased the number of pigs in the piggery and as a result, products of the piggery are now in the open market. We also established eight fish ponds stocked with over 2,000 fingerlings. It is expected that within the shortest possible time, these ponds would prove to be major income earners for the university.

    My administration also resuscitated the moribund feed mill on Campus that was neglected by previous administrations and it is now performing at optimal capacity. Upon the realization of the place of such feed mill in the drive for improved income generation for the university, my administration will remain committed o its continued expansion.

    Being a Vice-Chancellor is quite different from being a unionist. In the first 12 months of your tenure as the substantive Vice Chancellor, what have you done to transform the institution?

    Upon my appointment as the Acting Vice-Chancellor by the Visitor to the University, Governor Rochas Okorocha on November 22nd, 2012, I set about putting in place the relevant governance and administrative infrastructure necessary for the smooth running of the university. To this effect, I demonstrated to the Visitor the need for the urgent constitution of the Governing Council for the university. Prior to this time, the absence of a council for the university had been a huge impediment to the development of sustainable and robust governance and administrative framework for the university.

    The advent of the 7th Governing Council has brought in its wake; the commencement of the process for the ethical rebirth within the university community and the process for a comprehensive intellectual values re-engineering among staff and students. No doubt my administration has made tremendous and appreciable progress in this regard as sound moral, ethical and intellectual values have begun to permeate the institution’s environment.

    Also the Senate before the advent of my administration had uncertain days of meeting. Under my administration, our University like other Universities now has a definite date of meeting and a robust calendar for its functions, as each meeting’s deliberations are followed up with action sheets.

    In what other ways have you brought your past experiences to bear in the management of the University in the last one year?

    As a foremost academic and a trade unionist, I understand the need to maintain high standards within the university community. I understand the essence of the proper incentivisation of the workers, particularly through regular payment of salaries and prompt sponsorship of staff and students to international and national conferences, workshops and seminars. My administration has in the past two years in collaboration with the TETFund research fund, sponsored over 16 members of Staff for MSc and PhD programmes at both international and local Universities. This is considered as a necessary step towards the development of a virile and robust University.

  • Come to our rescue, IMSU students urge govt

    Imo State University (IMSU) students have sent a ‘save our soul’ (SoS) to the government over the use of the institution’s rear exit gate by criminals, who rob people of their valuables. EKENE AHANEKU (300-Level Medicine and Surgery) reports.

    It is the only exit route through which residents of Mbonu Ojike community can access the Imo State University (IMSU). But this shortcut to the university’s rear exit gate has become a criminal’s den. Since erosion washed away part of the road five years ago, it became a nightmare for residents. It is covered with bush and refuse, making it impassable.

    Students who live in Mbonu Ojike are worried about the state of the road, which also connects IMSU Primary School with the neighbourhood. Motorists, who used to ply the route, are not happy with its condition.

    Following the years of neglect, criminals are cashing on it to wreak havoc on people. During the day and at night, hoodlums dispossess passers-by of their personal effects, including money and mobile phones.

    The Mbonu Ojike road is water-logged because of the overflow of Lake Nwaebere, which extends into the university. Since there is no drainage, the water gets to the university rear gate, worsening the condition of the road.

    To make the route passable, members of the community constructed a wooden bridge through the bush path. Students and other commuters ply the structure to get to the school. But, the wooden bridge is fragile and users fear that it could collapse.

    Because of criminals’ atrocities, students and residents have cried to the  university and the government to come to their rescue. They are demanding the clearing and rehabilitation of the road.

    A student, who identified himself as Chibuzor, told CAMPUSLIFE: “I cannot forget the sad experience I had with some boys at the IMSU Primary School gate. I was returning to the hostel with my friends when we were accosted by the boys. They took our phones and money. I was shocked because the incident happened in broad daylight.”

    A medical student, Chinwe Alakwe, said she had stopped going to the campus through the rear gate after she was robbed with her colleagues during a football match in the primary school. She said: “It happened like a joke. We were on the field playing inter-departmental football match when we noticed the arrival of a group of buys. Before we knew what was going on, they started collecting our phones. It was a sad experience I cannot forget. I stopped going towards that part of the university after the incident.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the university management had made efforts to check the robberies at the gate. With the measure, some students said the attacks have reduced, but still want the management to make the area passable.

    Victor Igiri, a 400-Level Optometry student, said: “The Vice-Chancellor has improved security in the area. We did not hear many cases of phone snatching and harassment last semesters. On that, we are happy but we want the management to do more by stopping constant flooding of the area.”

    Divine Israel, a 200-Level Agricultural Economics student, said there should be concerted effort by the university and the government to get the road repaired. “It is not enough to leave the burden on the university, rather, the state should direct the Ministry of Environment to see to the problem of flood. The university cannot do it alone; it needs the help of the state to rescue the university community from this problem,” he said.

    To solve the erosion problem at the exit gate, students believe the government must intervene to end their nightmare. But, if help does not come in time, the students fear that the criminals hiding in the area spot could unleash more terror on the residents, including pupils of the primary school.

     

     

  • IMSU gets ICT Centre, Law building

    IMSU gets ICT Centre, Law building

    The Imo State University (IMSU) has got two new buildings, courtesy of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    The projects are Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre and an ultra-modern building for the Faculty of Law.  They were commissioned by the Minister of State for Education, Prof Viola Onwuliri, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan. The buildings are close to each other.

    Prof Onwuliri urged management and students to make good use of the facilities, saying they were important assets for the school’s development.  She said the Federal Government was committed to transforming the education sector by ensuring projects meant for tertiary institutions were provided without political consideration.

    The minister also revealed that the government was planning to execute another N1.5 billion project in the university. She said: “The Federal government is making effort to ensure that education in Nigeria is something other nations will envy and copy. We want students to reciprocate this gesture by shunning examination malpractices and cultism.”

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, said the institution had been on sustained development since 1992. He said TETFund intervention would complement the effort of the state government to provide adequate facilities in the university.

    The VC said the school could boast of e-library with the help of TETFund, praising the agency for its effort to promote quality education.

    The chairman of TETFund, Dr Musa Babayo, represented by the agency’s Secretary, Mallam Suleiman Bogoro, said the agency had spent N4 billion on various projects in the university in the last seven months. He said: “Aside infrastructural development, TETFund also promotes human development through capacity building for students in various institutions.”

    Some students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, hailed the agency for investing in the university. Callistus Mbam, a 300-Level Theatre Arts student, said: “I am privileged to witness the occasion and I could feel the usefulness of the building to improving quality of teaching. The projects will affect us in positive ways.”

    Victor Unegbu, a 400-Level Law student, said: “We will always be grateful to TETFund, Federal Government and the management for making these projects a reality. For the Law students, we are happy to have been given the best building as our faculty. The conduciveness of the building will make us improve in our studies and knowledge.”

     

  • Festival of fun, fury

    Festival of fun, fury

    It was all fun at the Imo State University (IMSU) during the Students’ Union Week, sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria and Solo Phones, a telephone firm. AHANEKU EKENE (300-Level Optometry) reports.

    The Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri was agog last week as students gathered for their union week. Etisalat Nigeria, a mobile telephone service provider, in collaboration with Solo Phones, hosted the soccer tournament to mark the Week.

    For many students, the soccer fiesta was the biggest sporting event ever held on the campus. Students trooped to the pitch for the game.

    Activities marking the week started with a health awareness programme, anchored by Hardy Mbadugha, a 400-Level Optometry student and the union’s Director of Health. This culminated in a raffle draw organised by the union and Etisalat. Students won prizes, such as books, shirts, Android phones, laptops and the grand prize of a Kia Picanto.

    Students were thrilled by the soccer event and music show, which brought popular hip-hop artistes, such as Phyno and Terry G to the campus. The local artistes, including Golden Okafor (X-busta), the union’s Director of Socials, also thrilled the students with their music during the football match.

    Four teams – SUG Executive, Union Parliament, Judicial Council and School – participated in the football tournament. The matches, which had male and female teams, were officiated by the school’s sport officials.

    Before the opening match between the SUG Executive Team and the Union Parliament Team, gifts were given to students who participated in the ball-raising exercise.

    The opening match was entertaining. The Executive Team, with SUG President Christian Ogbu as skipper, beat the Parliament Team 2-1. This qualified the winning team for the next round of the tournament. The union Speaker, Odinaka Ezeji, led the Parliament Team.

    The second match was played by the School Team and the Judicial Team. As the match was going on, branded items, such as exercise books and shirts, were given to students. The Judicial Team won 1-0.

    The final match was played between the two winning teams; the losers slugged it out in the third place contest.

    The Nigerian Red Cross Society officials were on hand to treat the injured.

    The Executive Team scored the opening goal a few minutes into the game. The Judicial Team equalised 70 seconds into the injury time. In the penalty shootout, the Executive Team won 4-3.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Hardy, who played in the Executive Team, said: “This is my first time of playing on a standard field. It was really a nice experience for me. The cheers from the crowd made the game memorable.”

    For the union’s Sport Director, Chijioke Obilaso, a 300-Level Philosophy student, the soccer event was fulfilling. He said: “I am grateful because this tournament marks a great achievement for me as the Sport Director. I thank the union president and others who helped me achieve this landmark in IMSU’s sport history.”

    After the trophy was presented to the winners, X-busta and other school artistes thrilled the crowd of students on the field.

    Chiamaka Onyedeke, 300-Level Law, said: “It was a wonderful day. I am happy because I enjoyed myself throughout the event. I commend the union president and his team for this feat. We appreciate Etisalat and Solo Phones, which have proven, by the sponsorship of the game, that they are friends of all Imo State University students.”