Edo: Gov. Okpebholo Promises To Bring Back Life To AAU, Ekpoma

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has stated that his administration is aware that the Ambrose Alli University, (AAU), Ekpoma, a state government owned institution, is currently on life support, which requires immediate intervention .

The governor has, therefore, assured the Management of the University of his administration’s commitment to addressing accumulated unpaid salaries, gratuities and other critical challenges inherited from past administrations.

A statement by Ebojele Akhere Patrick,

Chief Press Secretary to Governor, stated that Okpebholo gave the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof (Mrs.) Eunice  Omonzejie, and members of her management team on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City.

He congratulated the Vice-Chancellor and her team on their appointments, noting that their presentation clearly revealed the depth of challenges confronting the institution.

The governor said, “From what you have outlined today, it is clear that Ambrose Alli University is on life support. I must commend the progress you have recorded so far since assuming the office.

“I am impressed by your efforts, and I want to assure you that in any way possible, this administration will support the university to reposition it and restore its lost glory.”

Addressing the issue of accumulated salary arrears, the governor described the non-payment of staff salaries for several years as unfair and unacceptable.

“It is not right for people to work and not be paid. The issue of unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities running into billions of naira is something I will take as a project. These are issues inherited from the past government, and we will address them.”

Okpebholo also acknowledged other concerns raised by the management, including hostel infrastructure, accreditation-related challenges and facilities needed for programmes such as Medical Laboratory Science.

He added, “This year’s budget is already at an advanced stage, but I expect that these critical needs will be properly captured in your budget proposals. Once that is done, we will see how best to move the institutions forward,”

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Omonzejie, explained that the delay in visiting the governor was due to a recently concluded accreditation exercise and the need to carry out a thorough assessment of the state of the university.

She added that the University she inherited was in a moribund state, facing series of infrastructural problems, unpaid salaries, accreditation amongst other.

She expressed profound appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for what she described as “life-saving interventions” since his assumption of office.

According to her, the governor’s approval of increased monthly subvention, restoration of affected staff to the payroll, support for graduating backlog medical students, improved security logistics, and facilitation of road construction through the NDDC have significantly revived the university.

She also formally presented pressing needs requiring urgent attention, including accumulated unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities, union deductions, as well as the construction of lecture theatres and hostels to enhance accreditation and expand student intake, particularly in the College of Medicine