AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY, AGAIN IN THE NEWS FOR A ‘SORRY’ REASON
By: Oriaifoh Godwins
Is Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma being gradually shut down?
During his electioneering campaign for his second tenure, the governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki promised develop Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma to a world class University. But from all indications, the students, staff and all well-meaning people of Esanland and Edo state, are seeing the direct opposite of this promise happening.
As at today, many staff of the university are owed salaries in arrears of several months, the subvention from the state government to the university, has been drastically reduced, academic calendar of the university, seriously distorted, above all, the students are currently made to come from home as campus Hostel accommodation has been grounded. WHAT IS GOING ON? Is this the idea of a world class university?
The governor of Edo state has appointed a Special Intervention Team, SIT, to take charge of the management of the University, but the so called team, appears to be lost as regards what should be done to reposition the University as the woes continues. This is especially so, bearing in mind that there seems to be no improvement in the state of affairs of the university as the situation is growing worse by the day.
The burning issue confronting most of the students that are resident on campus, some of whose parents are not living in Edo state, nor have relatives in Ekpoma, are at a loss regarding where to stay. I met with one of such students, a 100 level student whose parents are in Lagos, and she knows nobody in Edo state, but was squatting with a student in the hostel; according to her, the student she is squatting with, is also living in the hostel illegally, but hoping that the accommodation payment portal, will be opened soon. This student in question, is frustrated and confused in the middle of nowhere, more so that the school authority has ordered all the students to vacate the hostel by 12:00 noon today, Friday, 7th October. HOW DID THE POPULAR BENDEL STATE UNIVERSITY, BENSU, ONE OF THE FOREMOST STATE UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA, COME THIS LOW?
Is Edo state government not gradually reducing the university to nothing?
It is disheartening to note that the Speaker of Edo state House of Assembly, is not only from Esanland, he is a native of Ekpoma , where Ambrose Alli University is located. I AM SHORT OF WORDS. EARNESTLY, I AM DUMBFOUNDED!
According to reports, the Hostel accommodation on campus has been handed over to private business entities for management; automatically, it means the accommodation fee will now be increased as it is rumored that it has been increased from #23, 700 to #50, 700… this is outrageous!
This is an urgent and desperate SOS call to all well-meaning Esan people, Edo state people and lovers of Education all over the world to come to the rescue of AAU.
The Alumnus of the University should not sit on their oars as their Alma Mater is gradually being destroyed.