AAU crisis: Obaseki appoints intervention team to govern varsity

Godwin Obaseki, Edo governor, has appointed a special intervention team to exercise the powers of the governing council of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

According to NAN, Osarodion Ogie, secretary to the state government, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

The Edo governor had dissolved AAU’s governing council and appointed an acting vice-chancellor, Benson Osadolor.

Ogie said the appointment of a 10-man team to exercise the powers of the ousted governing council was in tandem with the provisions of Section 2 (b) of the Ambrose Alli University (Special Intervention Powers) Law, 2021.

He said the special intervention team is chaired by Andrew Olotu, managing director of Schlumberger Nigeria Ltd.

Others in the team are Patrick Inegbedion, Uyi Izekor, Esther Ikuoria, Imo Okundaye and, Emmanuel Etomi, Osen Iyahen, Yusuf Mohammed, Austin Osakwe, and Oaihimire Edetalehn (the secretary).

Ignatius Onimawo, the former vice-chancellor, had been at loggerheads with the unions in the institution and the sacked governing council, leading to a collapse of academic activities.

With all parties not relenting, Obaseki had signed into law the AAU (Special Intervention Powers) Bill of 2021.

The law provides the visitor to the university — which is the governor — with the power to intervene in the event of a crisis.

In spite of the move, the unions have vowed to continue their indefinite strike until the state government resolves the issues bordering on unpaid salaries, check-off dues, and other sundry deductions.

The acting VC had, on May 19, announced the resumption of academic activities from May 24.

But the unions responded by cautioning parents and guardians not to let their children/wards return to school.

They said the indefinite strike will not be called off until the state resolves the lingering issues.