Edo State Governor, Mr.Godwin Obaseki, on Friday inaugurated a seven-man visitation panel to look into the affairs of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, with a charge on members to come up with innovative ideas on how the university can operate in a post-coronavirus (COVID-19) economy.
The inauguration of the panel took place at Government House in Benin City.
The governor noted: “We have been able to put together a very experienced and formidable team to help come up with ideas on how our university could operate in a post-COVID-19 world.
“I believe that the last visitation panel that looked into the activities of the university was about ten years ago and you will agree with me that the need for a visitation panel is long overdue.
“We also believe that it is very pertinent at this point in time given what is going on in the world as it affects education, particularly university education. Hence, this is to enable us take a very close look at our university, particularly with the aim of reorganising it for the future.
“I will like you to help us look into some lingering issues between the council and the university management which have been going on for a while now.”
Obaseki continued: “We have had quite a lot of correspondences within the university community in the last 12 months and this visitation panel, apart from doing its normal visitation role, should see if they can focus a bit more on those two issues I have mentioned.
“First, they should focus on how our university can operate in a post-COVID-19 world, how we can deal with the reality of both financial and public health issues that we are now confronted with.”
“Secondly, we believe that there are some lingering issues that need an independent view so that we can quickly take the necessary action,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the visitation panel, Prof. Ikponmwosa Omoruyi, thanked the governor for the honour and opportunity to serve and assured him that members of the committee would do their best to discharge their duties in accordance with the terms of reference given to them.
