The Vice-Chancellor, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has disclosed one major achievement the management wishes to achieve this year.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor in his office recently where the VC x-rayed his key achievements in 2024, he disclosed the management’s major target in the New Year which is ensuring that all programmes in the university gets accredited

“What we want to achieve this year is full accreditation of all programmes, including Law. It’s not by talking; we have done our work for accreditation and giving a good environment. His Excellency has been very supportive. Last year we achieved over 97% accreditation, this year we are targeting 100%,” the VC said.

Prof Okie noted that what the management needs from the staff and students us maximum support to bring to bear the plans for the year

“What we need from the staff and students is support and understanding. As students, we can change the narrative. While we are having new programmes approved, we must ensure that others are running optimally.
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In a show of solidarity and extension of love and care, members of final year students of Mass Communication Department, ESUT has felicitated with the year one students on the occasion of their Matriculation Ceremony.

The 2023/2024 ESUT Matriculation Ceremony will hold on Friday, February 23.

In their congratulatory message to all the freshers made available to ESUT Monitor, the Final Year Students commended the new students for their admission into the University and charged them to remain focused in their academic pursuit and make the school proud.

“Dear fellow students, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the matriculating class of 2024. As you embark on this new journey in your academic career, we wish you all success in your future endeavours.

“It is important you know that the decisions you make will either make or mar your academic experience, we know that you will make us proud by representing our institution with distinction.” The said.

They lauded the efforts of the management led by Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie on providing a conducive environment for learning in the school.

“Our workaholic and digital Vice-Chancellor and the Management are working round the clock to make sure that your stay in this school is as serene and swift as possible.

“We wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter in your lives,” the statement concluded.

Activities marking the 43rd Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT Matriculation Ceremony got underway on Wednesday with Orientation Programme held at the Prof Julius Onah Auditorium.

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By Paul Okah

The Christmas and New Year celebrations have come and gone, however, excessive spending during the yuletide always lands people in trouble, Paul Okah writes.

The Christmas celebration is over and many people are returning from different villages, for those who travelled, after the New Year celebration to face realities of life.

In different motor parks, vehicles travelling to cities like Lagos, Abuja, Calabar and Port Harcourt are highly sought afte

Checks revealed that many transportation companies have reduced the cost of transportation to different villages, whereas fares to cities have been hiked due to the rush.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and most cities, businesses are yet to fully kick off as many people are gradually returning to resume their businesses, just as many offices are still offering skeletal offices.

As a result of the high cost of transportation fare and other fanfare that came with the festivities some people had resorted to borrowing money to meet up.

However, after the dust dies some people find themselves practically stranded. In extreme cases, some have had to sell off personal belonging like mobile phones to enable the return to their stations.

Those who cannot afford to sell their personal belonging often stay back in the village until middle or end of January, especially if they are self employed and have no urgent reason to rush back to their base.

For those who succeed in returning to their station despite the odds, they are forced to face the reality of paying school fees for their children, renewing house/shop rents or paying for new apartments, among other expenses.

Similarly, some lose their jobs or have to endure hardship in the face of late or non-payment of salaries by organisations

FCT residents recount experience

For most people sticking to budget remains their greatest challenge. This is more so during festivities as a civil servant, Mr Innocent Kunle, confirmed to our correspondent.

Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, Kunle said he spent more than he budgeted during the yuletide and was struggling to survive till the next salary would be paid.

He said: “I don’t know what made me to travel home for the Christmas. I would have resisted the temptation as I had to spend more than I budgeted. When I got home, it was as if everyone was waiting for me with one problem or the other needing urgent attention. If it wasn’t someone needing money to pay for hospital bill for his wife that just gave birth, it would be another person lacking food for Christmas and so on.

“Of course, in the spirit of Christmas, I had to give what I could for everyone to be happy. I even had to spend at weddings I didn’t even plan to attend before, just that I had to go with friends.

“I didn’t need anyone to tell me that the time was up immediately after the New Year as I was fast running out of money.

“I won’t lie to you; it has not been funny since my return to Abuja on Monday. Everywhere seems so locked up. I went to the office yesterday, but everywhere was so dry.

“Not many people have returned for the year, but I know things will start to improve from next week. My greatest concern is how to survive this month. I received my salary before travelling in December, so I have to wait for January salary before I can be able to afford certain things or even make better plans.

“Right now, I am hoping to borrow money from friends to be transporting myself to the office before my January salary arrives.”

On his part, a businessman, Peter Obiora, said he spent money meant for his house rent and presently hoping for a miracle to augment his rent or face problems with his landlord.

“I honestly didn’t have a memorable Christmas because of unexpected expenses. Some things I did not envisage to spend on just kept popping up.

“Children are always fun, so I had to spend on them as many relatives kept visiting with their children when they learnt that I was home for Christmas.

“My greatest headache now is getting N200,000 to complete my house rent. I pay N500,000 for a one bedroom apartment in Dutse and had the money saved before travelling home for Christmas. However, I had to dip into the money while at home because of unexpected expenses. One of my younger brothers was operated on, so I had to contribute to settle the hospital bill.

“It is not easy to ignore certain expenses especially if one has been away from the village for a long time.

“The cost of living also didn’t help matters as those selling in the village hiked prices though it was expected. I am a businessman and know all about making profit with demands. I know I will make the money for my rent by next month when businesses pick up, so I am hoping my landlord will understand.

“Even in business, things will not pick up until middle of the month or even end of the month. This is because many people who are not working will be waiting for transportation fare to come down. The business will continue being in the village until the end of the month when those who travelled to the village must have returned to the city.

“Many people will even be interested in buying items on credit and pay when they receive their January salaries, so it is usually not easy.”

Culled From Blueprint Newspaper

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