By Osehobo Victor Ofure
It is close to two months after the scandalous Special Intervention Team created by the Sole Administrator (aka governor) of Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki sacked close to 100 staff of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
Recall those affected got their sack letters as letter of disengagement or letter of Retirement in March 2023. Many said those affected were opposed to the antics of the sole administrator and his illegal SIT and had to be shown the way out.
Some of those affected are:
1. Prof. Okoeguale E.
2. Prof. Okogun G.R.A
3. Prof. Esun F.I
4. Prof. Omoifoh C.
5. Prof. Omoregie A. U.
6. Prof. Ighalo S.O
7. Dr. Omohan M. E.
8. Prof. Eguavoen A.N.T
9. Prof. Odiagbe O. S.
10. Prof. Aluede Raymond
11. Prof. Aluede Oyaziwo
12. Prof. Aluede Charles
13. Prof. Okonigene R. E.
14. Prof. Agbeboh G. U.
15. Dr. Igbafen M.L.
16. Prof. Eunice Omonzejie
17. Ms. Ese Ebunuwele
18. Dr. Jude Obasami
19. Prof. Izibili Matthew
20. Dr. Oamen David
21. Mr. Eregese Emmanuel
22. Dr. Funmi Olumese
Others have since collected their own letters amidst a hollow denial by the Governor and his government.
One of the letters signed by the Acting Registrar, Ambrose Odiase read:
“In repositioning the University, the Management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, writes to convey to you the decision of the Special Intervention Team ( S.I.T) of your disengagement from the services of the University with effect from March 10, 2023.
“You will be paid all your entitlements in line with the provision of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Staff Regulations and Scheme of Service.
“By a copy of this letter, the Bursary Department is directed to process your entitlements, subject to your clearance of any indebtedness to the University.
“You are kindly advised to submit all University property(ies) in your possession to your Head of Department on the receipt of this letter.
“The Management of the University sincerely thank you for your past services and wish you success in your future endeavour.”
It would be recalled that the 10-man disabled Edo State House of Assembly led by Mr Marcus Onobun in 2021 approved Governor Godwin Obaseki’s regime to set up Special Intervention Team for the University.
The action was however resisted by the University’s branch of ASUU, NASU and SSANU, saying, the S.I.T. was aimed at sacking “the hard-working staff of the University”, describing the government’s idea as alien to university administration globally.
After the SIT sack of the staffers, Governor Obaseki said he has ordered an investigation of the alleged sack letters, vowing that action would be taken swiftly on anyone culpable.
He assured that his government upholds the interest of the University workers and would continue to position the state as a suitable place to live and work.
Mr Crusoe Osagie, his media aide who said this much March 15, 2023 has since gone to sleep like his boss, burying heads in the sand amidst the crisis. His press statement on the issue follows:
“The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has directed the management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, to reverse and retrieve all recent illegal disengagement letters issued to staff of the institution.
The governor insists that the sack notices said to have been issued earlier to some staff of the university are illegal, null and void.
The management is to retrieve any such illegal letters if they were ever issued and reinstate the affected staff.
The governor has ordered an in-depth investigation into what led to the sporadic issuance of illegal sack letters and assured that all found culpable will be brought to book.
The government reiterates its commitment to the welfare of staff and is working to address all lingering issues affecting workers at the state-owned institution”.
Who is fooling who? It is certain that the regime never meant any of its words. Like the government that makes empty promises, this one did not come as a surprise to AAU, Ekpoma, Edo Central or even Edo People.
*Osehobo is the Assistant State Publicity Secretary of the Edo APC*.
