Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has assured the people of the state of his commitment to repositioning the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.
The spoke at a ceremony during which a bill that empowers the Visitor to University to intervene and resolve any crisis in the university into law.
The governor declared: “I want to thank you for the support you have shown by passing the amendment to the Ambrose Alli University Act of 1999, empowering the Visitor to intervene in the university with the aim of repositioning Ambrose Alli University”.
“All of us in Edo have witnessed the sad and unfortunate situation that has engulfed the state university which is known for excellence since its establishment 40 years ago.
“Unfortunately in the last decade or so, the performance of our university has fallen below the expectations of the founding fathers and our own expectations.
“With the amendment that you have graciously enacted, the Visitor now has the full authority without encumbrance of the law to now undertake a surgical cleansing of our university.
“Be rest assured that we will take all the required positive steps to reposition AAU to become that centre of learning which our founding fathers meant it to be.
“We are going to put in place a proper governance structure, accountability and transparency in the management of the affairs of the Ambrose Alli University, that university is our pride,” he said.
The governor further assured members of the Edo State House of Assembly and people of the state that he would do everything within his powers to undertake a thorough cleansing of the institution.
Earlier, the Speaker, Edo House of Assembly, Mr Marcus Onobun, said that they were in Government House to present a Special Intervention Bill before Gov. Godwin Obaseki.
“We are here this evening to present a special intervention bill, conferring the powers of special intervention on the Ambrose Alli University.
” The bill was passed this afternoon by the seventh assembly conferring on you the visitor of the Ambrose Alli University the power to intervene in the crisis that is rocking the university.