Chukwudimma Aaron-Okonkwo reports from Awka.

It was an atmosphere of music, dance, rib-cracking jokes, lecture series, and networking interactions at Stannel Dome, Awka where the leading presidential candidate, HE Peter Obi of Labour Party had a Townhall meeting with Nigerian Students.

True to its schedule, the programme started at 7am with Nigerian youths and other important dignitaries arriving the gigantic event hall. And despite the heavy presence of the security personnel, access into the venue were well coordinated in a friendly, free and peaceful manner. Attendance records were also taken by participants as they entered the hall. And make no mistake, the about 3000 capacity was almost full. Yes, the attendance was that massive!

Support Groups of some candidates of LP also graced the occasion. A contingency of women was also present. So also were the press men from African Independent Television, AIT, Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Channels TV, Anambra Boardcasting Service, ABS, Obidient Family TV, etc.!

While waiting for the arrival of the man of the moment, the enthusiastic audience got their bodies thrilled to a well-shaken dancing steps with amazing music performances by Guest artists such as Dr Money Dibiaego and other great artists.

Being one of the lead speakers, Prof Oby Orogbu, the LP House of Representatives candidate for Awka North & South took turn to deliver an inspiring speech to the listening participants.

Upon his arrival with his entourage that included Prof. Pat Utomi, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, LP National Chairman, Comrade Julius Abure Sen. Victor Umeh, LP senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Dr. Tony Nwoye, Dr. Obinna Uzor and many other high profile personalities, the man we fondly call Okwute was received with so much cheers and crowds surging towards him from entrance till he got to his seat. However, Prof Chinyere Okunna, Arch Innocent Ilozumba, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, Dr. Engr. Patrick Nky Obi, and others were already on ground.

Answering questions thrown at him by the probing youths, the former governor of Anambra State highlighted on the issue of incessant ASUU strikes, assuring that when elected the next president of Nigeria, his administration would tackle the issue to a permanently.

“Four years will be four years,” he assured further as regards duration of students in universities. He further noted that the revenue generated from petroleum products – of which certain people are stealing – is far more than the sum lecturers are requesting from the government.

“Why would our universities be on strike? There is no justification for that because people are interested in sharing oil money, and they are not producing anything. Come to think of it, the money that they are stealing is far more the amount that can be used to fix our universities and educational system,” he added.

After satisfactorily answering questions from the participants, Obi moved with his entourage to the Government House where he had further meeting with Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council ably chaired by Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha. From here, he proceeded to All Saints Cathedral Field at Onitsha where a mammoth crowd comprising support groups, Labour Party members, market groups, several political figures, youths, heads of labour unions, students and women groups besieged to show him support.

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Aaron-Okonkwo reports for PO Express Media, POEM.