Yesterday, I had the distinct honor of accompanying the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex C. Otti OFR, represented by the Honorable Commissioner of Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, as the special guest of honor at the 15th Matriculation ceremony of Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, Aba. The ceremony was warmly hosted by the management, led by the visionary Rector, Dr. Aloysius Ekeleme.
As an alumnus, I was received with great respect and nostalgia. The Commissioner delivered His Excellency’s speech, congratulating the matriculated students and charging them to take their studies seriously. What struck me most was the remarkable transformation under Governor Dr. Otti’s leadership and Rector Dr. Ekeleme’s stewardship.
From its humble beginnings as a School of Hygiene in 1948, the College evolved into a Polytechnic in 2009 and gained full NBTE accreditation in 2014. Today, it boasts 8,500 students, with an impressive surge from 600-700 annual intake to over 2,500 matriculating students. The state-of-the-art facilities, including biomedical, public health, and pharmaceutical laboratories, a new Administrative complex, and SUG secretariat, are testaments to the institution’s commitment to excellence.
Dr. Ekeleme’s appointment has brought discipline and astute service, with qualified personnel leading departments and schools. This has resulted in increased student enrollment and a sense of purpose among students. I commend Governor Dr. Otti for appointing Dr. Ekeleme and for his unwavering support. His leadership has transformed the College, and I urge other institutions to emulate this model.
The matriculation ceremony was a grand success, and I’m confident students will seize available opportunities. I look forward to seeing the impact on Abia State’s healthcare sector and beyond.
