Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured the management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, of his administration’s commitment to addressing accumulated salary arrears, unpaid gratuities and other pressing challenges inherited from past administrations.
The governor gave the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie, alongside members of her management team during a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City.
Governor Okpebholo congratulated the Vice-Chancellor and her team on their appointments, noting that the presentation made by the university management underscored the depth of the challenges confronting the institution.
“From what you have outlined, it is clear that Ambrose Alli University was on life support,” the governor said, commending the progress recorded by the current management since assuming office. He assured that his administration would support efforts to reposition the university and restore its lost glory.
Describing the prolonged non-payment of staff salaries as unfair and unacceptable, Governor Okpebholo said the issue of unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities running into billions of naira would be treated as a priority by his government.
“It is not right for people to work and not be paid. These are challenges inherited from the past, and we will address them,” he said.
The governor also acknowledged other concerns raised by the university management, including hostel infrastructure, accreditation challenges and the need for improved facilities for programmes such as Medical Laboratory Science. He urged the management to adequately reflect these needs in their budget proposals, noting that although the state’s budget was already at an advanced stage, the government would explore ways to support the institution.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omonzejie, said the delay in visiting the governor was due to a recently concluded accreditation exercise and the need to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the university’s condition.
She described the institution she inherited as being in a moribund state, grappling with severe infrastructural decay, unpaid salaries and accreditation-related challenges. She expressed 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 Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had contributed significantly to reviving the university.
She also presented the university’s urgent needs, including accumulated unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities, union deductions, and the construction of additional lecture theatres and hostels to enhance accreditation and expand student intake, particularly in the College of Medicine.
Top government officials at the meeting included the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilo, Esq., the Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, and the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mrs Sede.
