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Tag: Ambrose Alli University

  • Don hails Obaseki on Edo-GIS, Innovation hub

    …charges Edo Poly, Usen on collaboration with UNIBEN, AAU on HND conversion programmes

    Professor of Physics and Director, Center for Atmospheric Research (CAR), Prof. Rabiu Babatunde has commended Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on the establishment of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (Edo-GIS) as well as the setting up of the Edo Innovation Hub, noting that such technology-driven solutions will position the state for economic prosperity.

    Professor Rabiu gave the commendation at the maiden convocation ceremony lecture of the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, held at the institution’s auditorium, in Usen, near Benin City.

    Professor Rabiu heads the CAR, a center under the National Space Research and Development Agency, supervised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and Kogi State University.

    In a lecture entitled Re-positioning Higher Education towards effective patronage of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development, Prof. Rabiu commended the state government for prioritising science and technology and the deployment of technology in governance.

    According to him, “I commend the Edo State Government for its scientific approach to governance which is manifested in the administration’s adoption of ICT-based reform initiatives in the state’s civil service, revenue collection and data-driven governance.

    “Of note is the establishment of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) on the 1st of August, 2017 by Governor Godwin Obaseki for effective lands administration, management, registrations, geo-mapping and surveys, in Edo State.

    On the Edo Innovation Hub, he said, “The Edo Innovation Hub which hosts the South-South Innovation Hub, was commissioned in June this year by this present administration and became the first state tech hub in the country. Already, the tech hub has completed the training of 724 entrepreneurs in less than three months of operation and has now drawn up a sustainability plan that will see the private sector drive activities at the cluster. These and other technology-based initiatives of the government have surely positioned the state for economic explosion and sustainable development.”

    Explaining that there is need for close synergy between higher institutions of learning in the state to fully harness their capacity to develop human capital, Prof. Rabiu said, “Edo state polytechnic should be able to mount a Higher National Diploma (HND)-Bachelor conversion programme of 18-month duration (four semesters) in collaboration with University of Benin (UNIBEN) or Ambrose Alli University.

    “Such programme will serve as remedial programme and award B.Sc, B.A or B.Eng to qualified students in a bid to equip the beneficiaries for greater productivity.”

    He added that there is need “to  mount new programmes to meet the urgent and contemporary needs of the society” and made a case for the “Introduction of entrepreneurship courses as compulsory component of every programme run in our higher institutions at all levels.”

    “Our higher institutions should be able to share human resources via virtual learning technology. For instance, Edo State Polytechnic can share human resources with Ambrose Alli University and UNIBEN. This may, however, require establishment of memoranda of understanding with the appropriate parties,” he submitted.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Obaseki approves new governing council for AAU

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has approved the constitution of a new governing council for the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, to be chaired by Mr. Lawson Omokhodion.

    In a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., the state government said the constitution of the council is in line with the provisions of the Ambrose Alli University Law, 1991.

    “This is to inform the general public, particularly the Vice Chancellor, Staff and University Community of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, that in line with the provisions of the Ambrose Alli University Law, 1991, the State Government has approved the constitution of the Governing Council of the University.

    Read Also: Edo upholding dignity of girl child – Obaseki

    The council, he said, has Mr. Lawson Omokhodion as Chairman, with the following as members, “Mr. Austin Osakue; Mr. Pius Akpabor;    Dr. Ted Inegbedion;   Mrs.  Faith Bob Osaze; Alhaji Aliyu Umaru; Mr. Matthew Emeohe, Mr. Richard George, (Representing Alumni Association)”

    He said the council will be inaugurated at a later date.

  • AAU killings: Varsity confirms death of two students

    Management of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has confirmed that two of its students died in the shooting that occurred at a bar in Ekpoma town.

    It said the other three victims were former students of the institution.

    The university management said the killings was as a result of a quarrel between friends in a Bar and not cult related.

    A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Edward Aihevba, said that Police investigations revealed that the incident was not cult-related and was not a jubilation party by graduating students.

    Aihevba noted that the University Management was embarrassed by the newspapers’ reports that have painted the institution in bad light.

    He said the institution does not condone wild jubilation and that it is totally safe and devoid of cultism or social indecorum.

    According to the statement, The University management condemns in totality, the dastardly acts perpetrated by the hoodlums and the senseless killings and we trust that the law enforcement machinery will fish them out to face the full wrath of the law.

    “It is unfortunate that the casualties include two students of Ambrose Alli University (not graduating) and three ex-student (past graduates). It is necessary to state clearly and unequivocally that cultism does not exist in Ambrose Alli University any more.

    “We state categorically and emphatically that the incident did not occur within our University and the meeting of friends that ran foul of the law of the land could have taken place anywhere in the world.

    “We commiserate with the families of the deceased and we pray Almighty God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

  • AAU-ASUU threatens strike action 

    The Ambrose Alli University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike action over non-appointment of a Governing Council and under-funding of the institution.

    It said the absence of a Governing Council made the university to be run on an abnormal basis.

    Read Also:LAUTECH crisis: ASUU resists ‘commercialization’ of education

    Chairman of AAU-ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen, who spoke while addressing journalists on the union’s resolve to ground academic activities said manifestations of underdevelopment of the university, would not be allowed to continue.

    Prof. Igbafen said the union has written several letters to Governor Godwin Obaseki on the need to constitute a Governing Council.

    Igbafen noted that issues of policy direction, sensitive financial and administrative approvals that required the final attention of the Governing Council are kept on hold or circumvented since August 2017.

    He said the development has led to absence of oversight functions on the university administration on possible arbitrariness and infraction on due process.

    Prof. Igbafen stated that the university workers have not earned full salaries for four months running due to inadequate funding.

    The AAU-ASUU chairman accused the university management of using deductions of staff welfare associations to augment payment of salaries.

    He said there was total absence of state’s fund for capital projects.

    According to him, “Our union has made strenuous efforts through reports and letters to draw the attention of the Visitor to the University to the sorry state of the university against the backdrop of a debilitating crisis of funding.

    “All the efforts amounted to naught and no modicum of concrete mitigation of the problem of funding is in sight.

    “We know the problems here are far too antithetical to the smooth functioning of an ideal university.”

    Spokesman for the university, Mr.  Edward Aihevba, said talks were on with ASUU leaders to make sure they do not embark on the strike action.

    Aihevba said the state government has promised to inaugurate a Governing Council.

    He said the state government has been consistent in paying its counterpart funding of N250, 000 but that there was still a wide margin for the university to meet its salaries obligations.

     

  • Obaseki commits to Agric Devt. in Esanland

    Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government is committed to exploiting the agricultural endowments in Esanland to create jobs and improve livestock and food productivity in Edo Central.

    The governor, who spoke during a townhall meeting in Esan South East Local Government, said that the agricultural initiatives in the Senatorial district includes a 400-hectare maize farm and a piggery project to be sited at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

    He said the development was necessary because Esanland serves as the breadbasket of Edo State and was central to some of the economic plans the state government was pursuing.

    According to him, “Because of my economic plans for Edo State, I cannot fold my hands and allow insecurity in Esanland. We have pledged 400 hectares of land for maize. We are working at the Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma on a piggery project. We are looking at cattle fattening, too. All the things that used to happen here during Ogbemudia’s time and even more, we are working to reactivate them. So that we can create jobs for young people.”

    Obaseki said that the projects are germane to the state government’s food security programme, calling on the people to support government in realising the projects as they are sure to benefit from the spill-over effects.

    He said, “We won’t allow insecurity derail our plans to develop the state. The plan is to ensure that development spreads to different parts of the state and ensure that youths are gainfully engaged in the sector.”

    Edo State government’s agricultural plans extend to providing a climate that allows existing investors to expand, especially oil palm production companies as well as facilitating opportunities to engage rural communities in outgrower schemes. The focus on Esanland is part of the overall strategy to spread agricultural development to all parts of the state.

  • AAU records 100% NUC accreditation

     

    Authorities of the Edo State owned university, the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, said it recorded 100 per cent accreditation of its courses in the latest accreditation exercise carried out by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    It said out of the 20 programmes assessed by the NUC accreditation team, 18 were accorded full accreditation while two got interim accreditation.

    Spokesman for the university, Mr. Edward Aihevba, in a press statement said listed the programmes with full accreditation to include English, French, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Industrial and Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Educational Management.

    Others are Guidance and Counselling, Education Economics, Physical Education, Technical Education, Chemistry, Computer Science, Industrial Chemistry, Industrial Mathematics and Mathematics.

    Aihevba said Agricultural Education and Statistics were programmes accorded  interim accreditation.

    He said the NUC accreditation team visited the university between November and December last year to assess its programmes.

    Aihevba noted that the feat was an indication that the university had attained the highest academic standard prescribed by the NUC in the programmmes visited.

    “By this 100 per cent performance, Ambrose Alli University has attained the highest academic standard prescribed by the NUC in the programmes visited.

    “Full accreditation denotes that the university is qualified to run the programmes for the next five years, while interim accreditation means the programme can be run for the next two years before another visit will be due.”

     

  • Two AAU students die in campus accident

    Two AAU students die in campus accident

    Tragedy occurred at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma when two students died while 16 others suffered injuries in an accident that occurred within the campus.

    The accident was said to have occurred when one of school’s shuttle buses lost control due to alleged brake failure and somersaulted several times.

    One of the deceased was identified as Ebere, a 300 level student of Educational Foundation Management.

    A source said the other student died at the hospital they were rushed to.

    Spokesperson of the institution, Mr.  Edward Aihevba, who confirmed the incident said a committee has been set up to investigate the immediate and remote cause(s) of the accident.

    He noted that appropriate actions would be taken at the end of the investigations.

    Some students who spoke on condition of anonymity described the incident as sad.

  • 2018 will be tougher, ASUU predicts

    2018 will be tougher, ASUU predicts

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ), Ambrose Alli University chapter has urged Nigerians to be prepared for tough time in 2018.

    It said it was disappointing to see the manner the federal government handled issues affecting masses of the country including the fuel scarcity.

    Chairman of AAU-ASUU, Dr. Monday Igbafen, spoke to reporters at the end of the union’s Congress in Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West local government.

    Dr. Igbafen urged President Mohammadu Buhari to do self appraisal with a view to making amends to salvage the deteriorating conditions of the citizens.

    He cautioned Nigerians not to be too expectant in 2018 and predicted that 2018 would be tougher.

    His words, “The issue of fuel is affecting everybody. We are extremely very worried because the vocal voices before now have become silent.

    “Why is it that same Nigerians have become silent when we are fueling our vehicles with N300, N400 per litter.

    “For us as a union, we feel that government should be indicted because we do not believe that government is not aware of what is going on. We felt Buhari represented change, but what we see today is abysmal failure.

    “We foresee a tougher 2018 because the oppressors will get more hardened at all levels. The issue of our liberation should not be tied to any existing political party. It should be tied to our ideological belief”, he warned

  • 29 bag 1st Class at August 2017 law exams – DG

    29 bag 1st Class at August 2017 law exams – DG

    The Nigerian Law School on Tuesday said 29 out of the 4,294 candidates called to the Nigerian Bar bagged First Class after the August 2017 bar examinations.

    The Director-General of the school, Mr Olanrewaju Onadeku (SAN) disclosed this at the Call-to-Bar ceremony in Abuja.

    Onadeku said the students were those successful at the August 2017 Bar final examinations and others from previous examinations as conducted by the school under the supervision of the Council of Legal Education.

    He said the 29 students were produced by the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Uyo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Babcock University, University of Ibadan and Osun State University.

    According to him, others are from University of Ilorin, Lagos State University, Ambrose Alli University, Afe Babalola University, Adekunle Ajasin University and Igbinedion University.

    “I particularly commend the 29 students; theirs is the highest number ever attained.

    “They have worked hard to merit their grades after a very thorough assessment and have done the Nigerian Law school and their families proud.”

    Onadeku disclosed that 72 per cent success was achieved after the August examination as 211 obtained the second class upper grade, 1,046 made second class lower division and 3, 000 got the pass grade.

    He said that there had been a sustained level of focus and diligence among the students whom he noted had demonstrated a commendable sense of maturity and drive,  adding that some were involved in various forms of examination malpractices.

    The Director-General, while congratulating the newly called to lawyers, also urged them to make the best of the legal profession.

    “Since it is your freewill to belong to the noble profession of law, you must ensure strict adherence to its norms and ethics.

    “As you are aware, globalisation has impacted on the legal profession with the challenge of bench marking on minimum international best practices.

    “You must ensure you exceed the minimum in all that you do. ”

    Onadeku also noted that the successful students had completed the vocational training at the school as prescribed by the Legal Education Act.

    According to him, they have also met all other conditions set by the Council, while also exhibiting good manners and decorum during their training.

    “They have also been groomed in the best ethics and ethos of our noble profession.

    Read also: Law school gets luxury hostel

    “The screening committee of your distinguished body has carefully perused the records of each of the aspirants and have found them worthy to be presented for Call to the Nigerian Bar.

    “I attest that they are fit and proper persons for Call and admissions to the Nigerian Bar,” he said.

    In his address, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and also Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, charged the candidates to practice the profession with diligence and sense of responsibility.

    He charged them to promote the course of justice and rule of law, adding that their level of proficiency was of immense significance to the efficiency of the justice system of the country.

    “I urge you to acquaint yourselves with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and all other relevant laws as far as administering justice is concerned.

    “You must not handle a matter without adequate preparation, neither should you handle a matter, which you know or ought to know that you not competent enough to handle.

    “It is advisable to consult your seniors or colleagues in areas you know you are not well groomed, ” he said.

    Onnoghen said that the Body of Benchers, whose role also includes disciplinary committee, would not hesitate to bring to order any erring practitioner whose conduct might negate the standards of the profession.

     The Nigerian Law School has to date graduated 117, 385 lawyers including all the judges of the superior courts of the country and almost all the legal practitioners.

    The event was attended by past and present Body of Benchers, Attorney-General of the Federation, past Directors-General of the school.

    Others are members of the National Assembly, some ministers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the Judiciary sector.

    NAN

  • Ambrose Alli University Alumni America plans big for school

    The alumni association of Ambrose Alli University, (AAU) Ekpoma, North America Chapter has set a five-point agenda that will impact the university positively and bring development to the 36- year old institution.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the chapter in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States recently, Dr. Chris Akaeze, President of the AAU North America alumni listed some of the projects to include construction of hostel to ease the accommodation challenges faced by students, build health care centre to carter for the health needs of the Ekpoma community, award scholarships to brilliant but indigent students, educational exchange programmes that will see renowned scholars from the United States and Canadian universities visit AAU periodically to share knowledge with the University and library enhancement to ensure that the university community has access to scholarly publications to aid their studies and research.

    Dr. Akaeze said the alumni association will also be involved in mentoring programme for the students to enhance their chances of having successful careers after their graduation.

    “These programmes involve logistics, human capital, financial and material resources. You can be rest assured that the AAU alumni North America possesses the capacity to deliver on these projects,” Dr. Akaeze said.

    Other officers to serve the association included: Judith Roland, Vice President, Charles Ogbeifun, Secretary General, Emmanuel Osime, Treasurer, Alfred Anyia, Legal Adviser and Christian Oransaye, Assistant Legal Adviser.