Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, inaugurated the 10-man special intervention team set up to exercise all the powers and functions of the Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University, with a charge for them to advance government’s vision to reposition the institution to meet global standards.
The inauguration of the special intervention team, headed by the Managing Director of Schlumberger Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Andrew Olotu, was performed by Governor Obaseki at the Government House, Benin City.
Other members of the Special Intervention team include Barr. Patrick E. Inegbedion, Mr. Uyi Izekor, Prof. Esther Ikuoria, Mrs. Imo Okundaye, Mr. Emmanuel Etomi, Mr. Osen Iyahen, Mr. Yusuf Mohammed, Comr. Austin Osakwe, with Mr. Oaihimire Idemudia Edetalehn as Secretary of the team.
The governor, during the inauguration, said that his administration has put together a very experienced and formidable intervention team to come up with ideas on how the university could operate in order to restore the institution’s lost glory.
According to him, “We are working tirelessly in repositioning all our institutions. We started with the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme in our primary schools.
“All our primary six children can now read and write with the introduction of the EdoBEST programme. For the sustainability of our schools, AAU must work.”
“We are going to ensure that we upgrade the Ambrose Alli University to meet global standards, so that it will save us from sending our children abroad for studying; that is what we have in mind,” he noted.
The governor added: “You are going to help us revive the regulation governing the service of staff of the university in line with the recommendations of the Nigeria University Commission.
“You are also going to develop a means of funding the university outside government resources by developing a strategy that will help reduce overdependence on government and separate politics from the university.”
Obaseki further charged the committee to create industrial harmony between the various unions and the school management.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Special Intervention Team thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve in such a capacity.
“We will take your mandate seriously; my team and I will not fail you. We will do our best to bring our experiences to bear,” he assured.
