News

AAU Ekpoma Scores 76% To TOP Corrupt – Free State-owned Universities Ranking In Nigeria

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2023

The Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state, Nigeria has been confered with the CORPORATE ETHICS AND INTEGRITY COMPLIANCE AWARD, 2023 by he Center for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO).

The institutional and individual awards were also confered on the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin and other members of the University’s management team by the CESVO, a Non-Governmental Organisation which focuses on exposing corruption.

The university was said to have polled a cumulative corporate score of 76%, thereby defeating many other state-owned universities across Nigeria in a covert investigation by the Centre, while Professor Adagbonyin who bagged the award on Ethical Leadership/Conduct Compliance was said to have garnered 77% to clinch his award.

The award confers on him is the highest Honorific title of the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO) which is the Integrity Icon of Nigeria (I.I.O.N).

As a reward for the awards won by the university, the Vice Chancellor and his management team, the CESVO boss announced an offer of systemic training in Ethical Leadership for 200 members of AAU community, to be made up
of 100 staff members and 100 student leaders which will come at a 70% liability to the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation while the University caters for 30%.

Speaking shortly before decorating the Vice-Chancellor with the medal for both awards, the Executive Director, Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation, Prince Salih Musa Yakubu said, “This University was, at a time, among the selected ten most corrupt state-owned university in Nigeria.”

According to Yakubu, “The ability of the Acting Vice Chancellor to say no to certain unethical things that are done arbitrarily has elevated the University from its chronic bad records to a better one.

“We are aware that your life may be at risk for taking these bold steps to redirect the institution to the path of greatness, don’t forget that God is in control of all our affairs. You must not be detered; you must be more determined and resolute that your mission here is to sanitize the university.

“Out of all the state-owned universities under consideration at this point, we saw indicators of performance of leadership and management that is ethically correct; yours is one of the ten most ethically responsible, highly rated state-owned university in Nigeria today.

“From the indicators we have seen and the kind of dexterity you have demonstrated so far under your leadership, the name of this university is hereby delisted from the list of state-owned universities that are endemically corrupt.

“We can categorically say, without any fear of contradiction, that Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma is today one of the most ethically responsible, corrupt-free state university, genuinely committed to the provision of quality university education in Nigeria.”

Yakubu added: “These awards to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, as well as to the Vice Chancellor and some of his Management team, is meant to encourage all to do more, to restore the University back to the pinnacle of its glory.”

The Executive Director noted: “The Vice Chancellor bagged his award in Ethical Conduct and Leadership Compliance based on his assessment in: self-discipline, emotional intelligence, time management skills, corporate policy performance, ethical uprightness in work place, past antecedents, fiscal discipline and dedication to public service, among other thematic areas.”

In his response, the Vice Chancellor expressed profound appreciation to the CESVO for the honour, stressing that “the awards conferred on me, the University and other members of staff will go a long way to further dispel all the misinformation about our great university.”

While ascribing the awards to the collective efforts of all staff of the university, as well as the supervisory roles of the Special Intervention Team (SIT), Professor Adagbonyin dedicated all the awards to the S.I.T., noting: “With this, we are more determined, as a team, to work towards sustaining the required standard expected from a university of first choice such as ours.”

News

Lagos Unveils Artisan Certification To Curb Building Collapse

Published

12 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory has launched a new certification and training programme for artisans in the construction industry as part of efforts to stem the spate of building collapses in the state.

The initiative, known as the Certified Structural Integrated Programme, was unveiled at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ese-Offin and Badagry, where block moulders, bricklayers, concrete mixers, steel fabricators and welders converged to pledge support for safer construction practices.

In a statement on Thursday by the Lagos Government, General Manager of LSMTL, Olayinka Abdul, said the programme marked a decisive step in tackling recurring tragedies linked to substandard construction materials.

“Without artisans, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every construction is safe, sound, and secure. We need to earnestly curb episodes of collapse in high-water-prone communities, and we do not want such in your community. It ends today,” he said.

According to the statement, the CSIP is a five-year assessment programme aimed at certifying construction materials as fit-for-purpose.

It will also produce an official directory of approved block moulders, concrete mixers and steel fabricators, to whom developers will be directed for supplies.

“This is not just about enforcement; it is about partnership and empowerment. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance that makes Lagos a model for building safety and integrity,” Abdul added.

Technical experts at the forum highlighted the scientific backing for the initiative. Director of the Soil and Geotechnics Unit, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stressed the need for mandatory soil tests before construction.

Similarly, Kayode Akinfeleye of the Technical Services Department advised builders to ensure architectural drawings are obtained and preserved, describing them as “a core requirement in the Lagos building process.”

Artisan guild leaders welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Alhaji Fabiyi Oyeleke, described frequent collapses as “disheartening” and commended the forum as a step in the right direction.

On his part, Chairman of the Lagos State Bricklayers Association, Mr. Fashina Aro, noted the peculiarities of Lagos’s swampy terrain and urged all stakeholders to ensure materials and soil tests are completed before bricklayers commence work on any site.

Building collapse has been a persistent challenge in Lagos, with many lives lost and substantial property damage over the years.

In recent incidents, emergency responders have had to rescue workers from collapsed structures.

PUNCH Online reports that rescue teams pulled eight workers from the debris of a collapsed building in September.

Reports by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild show Lagos accounts for about 55% of recorded building collapse incidents in Nigeria over the past several decades.

In response, Lagos has taken steps to strengthen bodies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency, enhancing enforcement, monitoring, and regulation of building standards.

News

Edo deputy gov warns MOWAA Against encroachment

Published

13 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Editor

Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has warned management of Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) to adhere strictly to laid-down demarcation between the museum and the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH).

Idahosa, who gave the warning when he visited the site on Thursday, expressed displeasure over MOWAA’s alleged encroachment on ESH land despite earlier directives.

The deputy governor stressed that governor Monday Okpebholo had mandated him to ensure compliance with the demarcation lines.

“Governor Okpebholo asked me to advise and also warn the MOWAA management to stick to the demarcation lines between the ESH and the MOWAA institution,” the deputy governor said.

During the visit, Idahosa supervised the demolition of parts of the obsolete tuberculosis building at the hospital and monitored debris clearance to facilitate the hospital’s expansion project.

Recounting earlier efforts, he said: “Few weeks ago, we were here to give demarcation on the boundary between MOWAA and the ESH.Apparently, the MOWAA management decided to encroach on the land given to ESH.

“We came to let them know that the Edo State Government is firm on it, and we have given them the right coordinates. We have also sealed the part that belongs to the ESH, so MOWAA, at this point, can no longer encroach.”

Idahosa emphasized that the government’s priority remains the security and health of Edo people, noting that compliance with lawful boundaries is in the interest of both institutions.

“This is not a witch hunt. The governor is fair enough to allow MOWAA to continue with whatever we met on ground. He has not encroached or done anything contrary to the law. Hence, they should also stick and abide by the law,” he said.

The Chief Medical Director of ESH, Dr. Anthonia Njoku commended Okpebholo for protecting the hospital’s expansion interest.

Similarly, the Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, Mr. Imoisili Igabali noted that negotiations had been ongoing with MOWAA over the demarcation and that a temporary perimeter wall had been set up in the meantime.

“As an agency, our responsibility in the state is to ensure that development in the state is done according to laid down rules and regulations,” Igabali stated.

News

Police Begin Enforcement Of Tinted Glass, Siren Regulations In Edo, Delta

Published

13 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Editor

The Zone Five Police Command have begun enforcing the ban on the unauthorised use of sirens and tinted glass permit regulations.

NAN reports that the zone five command located in the South-south Geo-political Zone comprises Edo and Delta.

This is contained in a statement by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tijani Momoh, in Abuja.

The exercise, the command said, is in line with the existing laws and directives of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, which apply to all vehicles with tinted glasses, whether factory or non-factory fitted.

Momoh quoted the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Salma-Dogo Garba, as saying that the enforcement would also affect the subsisting ban on the unauthorised use of sirens.

According to Garba, there will also be strict enforcement on the use of revolving lights, Police SPY and unallocated official number plates, as well as the use of unregistered vehicles.

“In view of the above, motorists yet to register their vehicles with tinted glasses are strongly advised to do so at www.possap.gov.ng.

“Thereafter, they should proceed to their state command headquarters for physical verification.

“Those who are not desirous of obtaining the tinted glass permit are advised to remove such tints or replace the factory-fitted glasses with transparent ones, as legally provided by the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act 2004.”

The AIG warned field operatives and their supervisory officers to ensure that the exercise was carried out with utmost professionalism, devoid of any form of harassment or extortion of motorists.

He stressed that any officer found wanting would be duly sanctioned, while the concerned supervisory officer would be held liable.

Garba further urged motorists to cooperate with the Police during the exercise in order to ensure public safety and national security.

He also charged residents to promptly report any form of harassment, extortion, or other unprofessional conduct to the nearest police station, the commands CRUs, or the ZPPRO.

NAN reports that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that strict enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit requirement will begin across Nigeria on Thursday.

The directive comes under the authority of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, 2004, a law intended to bolster security and curb criminal behaviour.

Under the new mandate, all vehicles with tinted windows are expected to carry valid and verifiable permit documents, which must be presented whenever requested by law enforcement.

NAN