Is AAU Now In Acting Capacity?

 Is AAU Now In Acting Capacity? 

By: Ehijie Francis 

There are global standards to the operation, administration and management of tertiary institutions; universities inclusive. 

It is pertinent to note that “acting” in a capacity is meant to be temporary, transient and not permanent; this is owing to the unavailability, of, non-qualification or deficiency of proficient personnel, that are supposed to be saddled with such functions.

Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma has become a mirage of what is obtainable in an operational institution. The institution is devoid of a Governing Council, that has now been replaced by an Intervention Team, resulting from the discoveries of maladministration of the institution, corrupt practices of a niche of influential members of staff of the institution, as well as academic fraud committed by same people in the university community. 

The above anomalies no doubt were traceable through the investigation of the Special Intervention Team, whose responsibility were supposed to be ephemeral. 

However, this development and findings birth the candour of hope of the availability of excess funds to manage the institution. The quagmire was thus, bewildering that, rather than surplus, the institution was faced with deficit. This made their findings to be viewed as “evidence of cloudy thinking” rather than evidence of sincere and objective investigation. 

The visitor earlier made a pronouncement to exit the Special Intervention Team of the university within 90 days of it's commencement of assignment; however, the stay of the SIT in the University, is now becoming indefinite, as the pronouncement of the governor, is nothing short of a masked electioneering erudition to fulfill the purpose of that moment. 

The camaraderie between the Special Intervention Team and the Management staff (all in acting capacity) evidently proves there are underlining frenzied incentives in their respective offices. 

Aside security, what should herald the programmes of any responsible government should be education.

Ambrose Alli University, is the only functional state university, yet, there are no traceable infrastructural and personnel improvements. This is a pity.

This irresponsibility, has been shadowed in the mirage of a fraudulent and faceless programme(Edojobs)without visible evidences of the #32.9billion for education in the 2023 fiscal budget.

Our state University, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has no evidence of a building funded by the state government from its foundation to completion, neither are her staff paid in due time. With the exception of the newly constructed facilities funded via the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which was adequately managed by the to Vice Chancellor, Prof.I. Onimawo, projects of philanthropy by alumni which are basically reserved for special ceremonies. other lecture facilities are either dilapidated or collapsed.

Ambrose Alli University, gives an unpleasant mixture of fear and shame to Edo people. Her extinction is imminent if nothing is done to salvage the decaying situation of the institution. 

If we should compare Delta state, a sister state of the defunct BENDEL STATE which has three(3) functional state universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, that are all in full operation with the average tuition of #150,000 only with Ambrose Alli University, it will be like comparing the night and the night, the difference is clear. 

The state is ours and the institution is ours. It was a regional attraction to neighboring states and has produced artisans, entrepreneurs, professionals and giant captains of industries. It is significant to note that as a citadel of learning, there should be consultations with 'economic intellectuals' of the institutions on how best to attract investors through (Public-Private Partnerships, PPP), to improve the Internally generated revenue. Except, such provision has been suppressed by the Special Intervention Team, SIT, or the visitor, the state governor. 

This is an outcry to all stakeholders that politics has effect on governance. Focus and considerations for candidature should be given to those who have empathy, good managerial skills and understand the nitty gritty of the integral part of our society to be governed. 

We want an operational UNIVERSITY AND MANAGEMENT, NOT THE ONE THAT WILL PERPETUALLY BE IN ACTING CAPACITY.

Comr. Ehijie O.Francis, 

(LEGACY’S PEN)

is the National Secretary General of the Forum of Former Student Union Leaders.