AAU Ekpoma to Enjoy 24 Hours Power Supply as Okpebholo Approves Construction of 1.5 MW Power Plant - VC

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

The epileptic power supply in Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State will soon be a thing of the past as  Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the construction of a 1.5 megawatt of an alternative power supply for the institution.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Olowo Samuel, who disclosed this said that upon completion, the state owned tertiary institution will enjoy 24 hours power supply.

Prof. Samuel, who spoke with journalists in Ekpoma disclosed that the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND) has also approved the construction of a solar power plant, all in attempt to address the electricity problem of the school.

The acting vice chancellor, who was appointed August 2024, said he was determined to meet the vision of the institution’s founding fathers to restore its glory and make it a world class university.

Up from being notorious as a den of cultists and incessant strikes by aggrieved lecturers, Prof. Samuel said his administration restored unprecedented peace and institutional stability which earned it an award of the Most Peaceful Educational Institution in Nigeria by the Edo Legacy Foundation.

He said that the subvention of N500m enabled the school to tackle some of the financial backlog inherited from the previous administrations.

Buoyed by the increased subvention, he said that the institution has been able to solve the prompt payment of salaries, pension and the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Prof. Samuel added that the authorities reinstated politically sacked staff and restored some staff’s name into the university’s payroll.

Continuing, the acting vice chancellor said that the institution entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology (JLICT) and Mutual Commitment Company Limited for Student Exchange Programs such as undergraduate overseas study opportunities, Faculty Exchange Programs, Cross-training and capacity building for academic staff, amongst others.

He said: “This partnership is poised to transfer technology, enhance academic opportunities, and provide scholarships, among other mutual benefits. Its implementation is already being worked out by the Edo State Government.

“The prompt payment of salaries to staff and pensions to pensioners have been the hallmark of my administration. This also motivated my administration to immediately implement the new minimum wage of M70,000 as soon as it was approved by the Governing Council.

“Thousands of graduates faced blocked JAMB profiles or regularisation challenges, preventing them from participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Through divine intervention and the tireless efforts of key stakeholders, especially the people-oriented Governor of Edo State and the Honourable Commissioner for Education, these issues have now been fully resolved. Affected graduates can now proceed with NYSC mobilisation, while other related cases are being addressed seamlessly.

“All graduates will receive their certificates immediately after graduation. Additionally, long-standing issues with transcript applications have been addressed, and implementation is ongoing to ensure alumni satisfaction. This reform marks a turning point in the University’s commitment to excellent service delivery."

Prof. Samuel said that effective from the 2023/2024 session, the authorities have for the first time in the history of the higher institution succeeded in finding a solution to the problem of missing results. 

Sounding upbeat, he said that students could now access their results in all registered courses before registering for the new session, a milestone which he noted was achieved through commendable staff cooperation and the unwavering support of the authorities, adding that backlogs from previous sessions are also being actively resolved.

Prof. Samuel said that the administration has successfully facilitated the lifting of the TETFund ban previously placed on AAU, Ekpoma, an action which deprived staff of access to funding for academic development, adding:

"With the embargo lifted, staff can now benefit from sponsorship for conferences, capacity-building programmes, and research activities, restoring lost opportunities. Special appreciation to the Directorate of Academic Planning for the efforts in this regard.”