Hon.Comrade Umesie in a group photograph with some of the students participating in the UTME free extra moral classes in Akpugoeze Community.
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
An intensive extra-moral coaching programme for youths preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is currently taking place at the premises of Emmanuel’s Cathedral (Anglican Communion), Akpugoeze, in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The classes, which are open to youths in the Akpugoeze community seeking admission into Nigerian universities and other institutions of higher learning, are offered free of charge. Although the lectures are primarily organised for UTME candidates, other interested learners are also allowed to participate.
Participants are taught subjects relevant to their UTME examinations.
Miss Victoria Oguejiofor, who hopes to study Computer Science at the university, told this writer that lecturers are handling subjects including Economics, Physics and Mathematics.
Similarly, Master Nwube Anayo Anthony, an indigene of Ebonyi State who resides with his parents in Akpugoeze, said he intends to study Law at the university. In pursuit of that ambition, he attends classes in English Literature, Economics and Government, the subjects he registered for in his UTME.
Use of English is taught as a compulsory subject for all the youths attending the extra-moral classes.
Findings show that the intensive lessons, which hold annually from February to April, are now in their third edition. The first edition commenced on February 27, 2023.
The initiative was conceived by a fellow youth from Akpugoeze, Hon. Chibuzo Umesie, who by the special grace of God is the current Councillor representing Akpugoeze Ward in Oji River Local Government Area.
Speaking with The Authority Newspaper, Hon. Chibuzo Umesie, who prefers to be addressed as “Comrade,” said the programme is his own way of giving back to society, especially his immediate community where he grew up and received mentorship.
He said his passion for the initiative is driven by the need to properly guide youths in Akpugoeze towards attaining higher education.
“In view of the fact that the few who nurses the ambition for higher education gives up after first and second trial, the intensive three month lectures relative to their UTME subjects and Course of study packages them for improved UTME results and those of other higher institutions”, Comrade Umesie explained.
He disclosed that his wages as a councillor are insufficient to run the programme alone, but he took it upon himself to present the idea to some illustrious sons of Akpugoeze community who eventually supported it.
He commended Chief Emeka Anyaene, Engr. Chukwudi Nwokeaku and Engr. Chikezie Agha as the major sponsors of the ongoing 2026 edition.
According to him, the programme has continued to achieve its objectives, as many youths from Akpugoeze community who participated in the coaching have gained admission into higher institutions across Nigeria.
He stated, “In the first edition I organised in 2023,17 Youths attended our classes, Nine of scored high in their UTME exams to secured admission.In the second edition in 2024,35 Youths enrolled in our programme and 20 secured admissions thereafter.
“In the 3rd edition in 2025,50 persons registered for our lessons,I was able to get sponsors who paid for their JAMB forms.40 of them eventually secured admissions because our intensive lectures helped them to score good results in JAMB.In this 4th edition,More than 50 persons are already attending our lectures and I hope more will join”, Comrade Umesie stated.
Hon. Umesie further disclosed that beyond the free coaching, additional support is provided for the students.
His words, “In every edition,We conduct orientation to guide our students on how best they can choose their intending Course,We take them to JAMB official registration centers,We subsidize their transport to and from.We offer general classes on English language and in all we pray and trust God for them to do well”.
Narrating his background and what motivates him to engage in humanitarian service despite being a councillor, Hon. Umesie said:
“I grew up with Religious Politics in the Church, my home church in Akpugoeze community. I became AYF(Anglican Youth Fellowship)Member, and grew up from there to the Archdeaconry level.
“I was a trained Capenter before attending higher institution and still does it now.
“In 2015,I re registered for WAEC and GCE to make up my 0’level Credentials.
“In 2016/2017,I got admission in Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu to study Public administration.In 2019/2020 session,I returned for HND.”
Hon. Umesie also recounted his political journey while studying at IMT:
“I contested SUG election in 2017 for the post of Deputy Secretary General but failed.I was crowned ‘Okpara Oji River’of NAGOG and rose to the position of Traditional Prime minister in 2018.I won the post of Departmental Prresident in April 23,2021”.
He added that his experiences in religious politics in his church and student politics at IMT Enugu prepared him for public service, although he had been a card-carrying member of a political party since 2010.
“From School politics,I joined in the race for Councilorship election of Akpugoeze community in the 2022 Oji River local government election and won.
“It is not by my might or my strength,even though I have paid my dues”.
The Oji River councillor said he prefers to be addressed as “Comrade” rather than a politician because of his social engagements, particularly during his days at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.
“I prefer answering a Comrade’ because of my activities in the society at large,which metaphorsed mostly when I was at IMT”,Hon.Comrade Umesie stated.
