FROM IKHILI EBALU BENIN CITY
Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, AAU, Professor Sunday Olowo said the institution’s lost glory has been restored, following the intervention of Governor Monday Okpebholo after the past administration almost grounded the university as a result of poor funding.
Speaking to journalists Thursday, Professor Olowo stated that the university was rescued when the Okpebholo-led administration in November 2024 restored sanity to the ivory tower.
According to him, before this administration, the university experienced poor funding as a result of the reduction of her monthly subvention of N270 million to N41 million since 2021, which was grossly inadequate and had an adverse effect on the University.
He added that by divine intervention and the goodwill of the governor and visitor to the state owned Ambrose Alli University, the monthly subvention was increased to N500 million since November 2024 by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Prof. Olowo, who reiterated some of the interventions of the Okpebholo led administration, stated that the governor had ensured prompt payment of salaries, pension, and the implementation of the new minimum wage.
He noted that the state government’s intervention has enabled the university to address some of the financial backlog inherited from the previous administration.
“The prompt payment of salaries to staff and pensions to pensioners have been the hallmark of my administration, as I believe in the biblical injunction that the labourer is worthy of his wage and on time. This also motivated my administration to immediately implement the new minimum wage of N70,000 as soon as it was approved by the Governing Council.
“In line with the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo, staff sacked for political reasons by the defunct Special Intervention Team, SIT, have been reinstated. This is a demonstration of our commitment to justice and the rule of law.
He also stated that the school has restored names of the affected staff into the University’s payroll. Due to the controversial biometric exercise conducted by the defunct SIT, a lot of staff members who were removed from the payroll due to the controversial biometric exercise have been reinstated,” Prof. Olowo stated.
Noting that the institution remains unequal in terms of delivering quality and world-class education, he said its Law programme and lecturers in the Faculty of Law is still one of the best in the country, being its flagship course.
The VC further added that the restriction of vehicular movement and night time activities has been causing problems hence student-driven vehicles were barred from campus. The measures are to strengthen security around the school campus.
