I Live in a Ghost Town…
No one actually wants to go home immediately after exams in MOUAU. Personally, I’ve always seen that post-exam period as a time to bond with friends, relax, and unwind after the stress of the semester. It should be when we hang out, laugh, and make memories before everyone eventually heads home.
But in MOUAU, the story is different. The moment exams are over, sometimes even before they end, people just want to leave. The boredom hits hard. A couple of my friends initially planned to stay an extra week or two, but the frustration of being stuck in Umudike forced everyone to change plans and leave early.
I don’t think MOUAU is the problem, though. Honestly, I blame Umuahia. It still baffles me how it’s even the capital of Abia State. The city is so lifeless – there are only three major eateries: Crunchies (everyone’s favorite), Hoeffers, and the ever-disappointing Mr Biggs, which used to be every Nigerian child’s first love when it came to eating out. That alone should tell you how dry Umuahia is.
Now, imagine how Umudike feels. If the state capital is already that dead, Umudike is worse.
I remember walking through B.O.A (Back of Admin), the most populated part of Umudike that houses almost 60 percent of MOUAU students. I swear, it felt like a zombie apocalypse. I could literally hear my own breathing. If B.O.A. could be that empty, imagine what B.O.S (Back of Stadium) looks like.
To make matters worse, people here go to bed ridiculously early. It’s like there’s a self-imposed curfew. By 10 PM, you can’t buy anything. And if you’re lucky to find a place open, be prepared to eat the same old cold egusi soup every single time. No conscience! And worst of all, it’s not even sweet.
Still, I don’t entirely blame them. If the capital city is dead, what hope does Umudike have? Honestly, I think the Abia State Government really needs to invest in Umuahia – give it some life, some vibe, something.
But to be fair, staying back after exams isn’t all bad. If there’s one upside, it’s the silence. The peace and quiet give you time to catch up on reading, reflect on the semester, or just rest properly.
So yeah… MOUAU isn’t all doom and gloom. But right after exams, it sure does feel like living in a ghost town.
