The Pro-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Dr Frank Odafe, has assured that the process of appointing a substantive vice chancellor for the state-owned institution will be completed within three months.
Dr. Odafe, who also serves as the chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, made this announcement during the formal handover of office to the new acting vice-chancellor who is also the substantive Provost, College of Medicine Prof. Sunday Olowo Samuel.
Dr Odafe stated that the acting VC’s tenure will last for three months, during which the University Governing Council is expected to finalize the process of appointing a substantive VC and obtain approval from the University Visitor.
He clarified that the former VC of the University Prof. Asomwan Sunnie Adagbonyin was not sacked as reported by some section of the media but rather stepped aside to facilitate the seamless process of appointing a substantive VC for the institution.
He commended the former VC for addressing critical issues facing the institution and maintaining high academic and administrative standards.
He also stated that the former VC is eligible to reapply for the substantive AAU VC position.
Additionally, the new acting VC, Prof. Olowo, expressed appreciation for the institution’s founder, the late Prof. Folorunsho Ambrose Alli, for establishing an institution that has become a centre of excellence in research, teaching, and human capacity development.
Prof. Olowo also acknowledged Governor Obaseki’s efforts in upholding the vision of AAU’s founders and the approval of the constitution of a governing council chaired by an astute administrator.
The constitution of the council he said “not only brought joy to the university community and entire people of Edo state but also put the university on a path of progress and prosperity, to take its pride of place among the comity of universities.”
The ceremony concluded with the signing of documents and accompanying the former VC to his residence.