The National Executive Council (NEC) of Ambrose Alli University Alumni Association Worldwide at its emergency meeting held in Benin City on Friday, May 21, 2021 deliberated on the series of development in our dear University which included but not limited to the following: the unprecedented amendment of the University Law by the Ambrose Alli University (Special intervention Powers) provisions law 2021, resulting in the appointment of an acting Vice Chancellor for the University by the Edo State government and the dissolution of the Governing Council; Visitation Panel Report; deliberate attempt to damage the cherished image of the University that has produced quality manpower who are holding forth in their respective endeavours; the strike actions by all the Unions in the University which has paralyzed academic activities in the University; the role played by members of the House of Assembly including the Speaker who are products of the University in the passage of the obnoxious law and the deliberate underfunding of the University by the Edo State government as well as the refusal of the Governor to honour our appointment with him in resolving the crisis in the University prior to the enactement of the new law among other issues. Consequently, NEC resolved as follows:
(1) NEC expresses displeasure at the Ambrose Alli University (Special intervention Powers) Provisions law, 2021 which was hurriedly passed by the Edo State House of Assembly without due process as there was no public hearing in order to seek the input of all the major stakeholders in the University and the general public. NEC condemned the new law in its entirety and sought that it be repealed without further delay, as the law is capable of causing anarchy in the University and creating a legacy reminiscent of military dictatorship. By that, the appointment of an acting Vice Chancellor should follow due process and with a definite duration, after which the process of appointing a substantive Vice Chancellor should commence in accordance with the 1999 University law as amended.
2) NEC noted that the dissolution of the Governing Council of the University, was done in bad faith and should be rescinded as there are no indicting reports against the Council in the Public domain.
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3) NEC call on Government to immediately consider the Visitation Panel’s report and issue a white paper that would guide future actions in the University and in accordance with best governance practices as was done in case of University of Lagos recently.
(4) NEC expressed displeasure over the repeated scandalous remarks made by the Edo State Government about the products of the University and viewed such remarks as an attempt to give a “dog a bad name in order to kill it”. Most of the products of our University are doing excellently well in their choosing endeavours.
5) NEC sympathizes with all Unions in the University over the hardship occasioned by non-payment of salaries, checkoff dues and other sundry deductions running into several months and called on the Edo State government, as a matter of concern, to do the needful to enable the striking unions call off their strike and return to work.
6) NEC noted with dismay the actions of the members of the Edo State House of Assembly who are Alumni of the University in colluding, conniving and condoning in the enactement of the obnoxious law. Accordingly, NEC passed a vote of no confidence on them.
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7) NEC expressed with dismay the level of under funding of the University and calls on the Edo State government, to as a matter of urgency, adopt genuine ways of ensuring adequate funding of the University. NEC resolved to collaborate with the government and the University to facilitate regular and adequate funding of the University.
Finally, NEC appeals to His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki to follow best practices in the University in genuinely exercising his visitorial powers.
Signed:
Chief Dave Emakunu Esq.
Worldwide President.
Hon. Johnson Idolor Akpolome,
Worldwide General Secretary.
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