FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo’s intervention in repositioning the state owned Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, is yielding results, following the successful graduation of medical students and the induction of over 800 nursing graduates.
This was disclosed at a press briefing in Benin by the institution’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Otunba Mike Aladenika.
Aladenika stated that the interventions by the Okpebholo-led government and the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Samuel, had received the support of all stakeholders, including staff and students.
He also noted that the management equally played its role to ensure a stable academic calendar and effective management of the institution.
“This stability is attributed to divine providence, effective leadership of the acting vice chancellor, cooperation and understanding from staff, unions and students, and most notably, the support of Governor Okpebholo’s administration.
“Our college of medicine faced significant challenges in the past, including suspension of admission and delayed graduation due to over-admission. This made students take up to 10 years or more to complete their five or six-year courses.
“However, with the leadership of the acting vice chancellor, the college has made remarkable progress. We have successfully graduated medical students in batches, inducted over 800 nursing graduates and nearly resolved other issues,” Aladenika said.
He stated that regulatory bodies had given the college consent to admit students into all its programmes.
Meanwhile, the management of the school has debunked recent online reports alleging a protest by students over examination delay, unpaid lecturers and inaction by the university administration.
The institution described the claims as a “false narrative” being peddled by “mischief makers” intent on undermining the university’s reputation for personal gains.
According to Aladenika, what occurred at the main gate was not a protest, but rather a gathering of part-time students from the Directorate of Sciences and Humanities, DSH, who sought clarification on their academic programmes.
