The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the seven-man Governing Council for the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, chaired by Dr. Omo-Ehijele Frank Odafen.
Members of the Council include Patience West Erhabor, Tony Innih Esq., Prof. Anthony Ekata Ogbeibu, Prof. Sunday Ojeifo, Prof. Kokunre Agbontaen-Eghofona, and Clifford Imade Omozeghian.
While inaugurating the council on Thursday, Governor Obaseki assured members of the relentless support of his administration to enable them to effectively discharge their duties, adding that the constitution of the Council is in furtherance of the vision to reposition the University to a world-class institution.
He said, “It’s refreshing that we have gotten to this juncture after several years of working very hard with stakeholders within and outside the University to find a workable model that will help us reposition this institution that has so much promise at its inception to engender progress for Edo people.
“When the idea of this institution was conceived over 40 years ago, very distinguished Edo sons and daughters from the University of Ibadan were encouraged under the leadership of late Prof. Ambrose Ali to come and establish a word-class state-owned university as they did an amazing job in establishing the second State-owned University in Nigeria.
“AAU in his early years attained such academic excellence and was ranked very highly within the academic circles not only in Nigeria but on the Continent.”
Noting efforts by his government to reposition the institution, Obaseki stated, “We committed ourselves to revisit the vision of the founding fathers and to reposition the institution to attain world-class standards, where merit, academic rigor, and excellence will be the guiding principles of the institution’s operations.”
Obaseki expressed appreciation for the work done by the Special Intervention Team (SIT) set up by his administration to reposition the school, noting that the team worked with the university and the university community to fix structural and administrative concerns that have bugged the institution for decades.
He further noted, “We believe that the SIT made discoveries and recommended solutions that will help reposition the school for greater impact. I would like to implore the new council to look beyond politics and focus on restoring the institution to where our founding fathers wanted it to be. The school has been so enmeshed in our politics and the school has veered from its purpose, as merit is no longer its purpose.
“This council is assuming office to chart a new path of growth and development for this Institution. The task before you is herculean as there are lingering challenges that still need to be tackled decisively, as you will see from the report of the SIT which will be handed over to you before you commence your work.
“I trust that this seven-member council is up to the task and will deliver on its mandate of transforming this school into a world-rated, productive and academic vibrant citadel of learning. Let no one intimidate you as you have free hands from me and the next governor of Edo State to do what you need to do to place the institution where it ought to be.
“Let Edo people know that this is not an ethnic university, but a state-owned university funded with state taxpayers’ money as the institution was established to pursue excellence in academics. 40 years after, this school should be bigger than it is today.”
Obaseki charged, “Don’t be intimidated, do what you need to do to put it in the right place. Don’t be afraid of politics, just do the right thing and never allow the school to go back. More can be achieved if there is synergy between the academic staff and stakeholders of the institution. I want the AAU to be in the forefront of research in Nigeria as not much research is going on now.
“Graduates from the institution were once sought out in various fields, and I am tasking you to do all within your powers to return the institution to its former glory. As a government, we have continued to support this university and won’t stop.”
In his response, Chairman of the Council, Dr. Omo-Ehijele Frank promised not to betray the confidence reposed in them, pledging to work diligently to reposition the institution as one of the best in the Country.
