Edo State Governor, Senator Senator Monday Okpebholo, has received students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were recently released following their arrest over the Ekpoma protest.
In a statement to Naijaonpoint on Thursday, Chief Press Secretary to Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, disclosed that the governor warned against violence while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to reviving the institution.
The governor spoke during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Benin City, attended by AAU students, government officials and other critical stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Okpebholo said he was deeply saddened by the violent turn the protest took, particularly in view of his long-standing commitment to reposition Ambrose Alli University.
“I was highly in pain when I saw what was happening in my place. The day I was sworn in, I said I was going to revive Ambrose Alli University,” the governor said.
He criticised the funding structure he met on ground, describing it as unsustainable.
“They were paying light bill, water, printing, salaries and everything from ₦41 million, and ₦41 million is not enough for anything at all. But on record, one consultant was receiving ₦59 million under the last administration, while the entire university community was receiving ₦41 million,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo revealed that his administration increased AAU’s monthly subvention from ₦41 million to ₦500 million immediately after assuming office.
“Since then, it has been about how to revive the school, how to move the school forward and how to reposition it again,” he said.
He also disclosed that outstanding salary and wage arrears owed to AAU staff stood at about ₦41 billion, assuring that modalities were being worked out to gradually offset the debt.
Cautioning students against allowing themselves to be used by criminal elements, the governor urged them to prioritise their education.
“Somebody said he is a student and he protests. What are you protesting for? Don’t allow yourself to be used. Read your books so that you can be like us,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the security challenges in Ekpoma and across the country, stressing that insecurity was a collective problem.
“The same way you are afraid of your life, is the same way I am afraid of my life. Kidnappers do not know the status of anybody and so it’s a common problem we all have,” he stated.
However, he revealed that investigations by security agencies showed that many criminal activities around Ekpoma involved locals.
“Most of the incidents of the people kidnapping in Ekpoma are local. When soldiers and other security agencies went into the forest at night, the people caught were natives from Ekpoma. So we need to look at who our enemy really is,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo condemned the destruction of shops and looting of properties during the protest, describing it as counterproductive.
“Things are not moving, people are hungry, and you are burning shops and destroying properties. If it were yours, will you be happy?” he asked.
He appealed to youths and students to embrace peace, assuring that criminals would not find a hiding place in Edo State.
“We have to work for Edo. Some of you may be innocent, but criminals will not have a hiding place in our state,” he said.
The governor cited the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin–Auchi Road as evidence of what peaceful engagement could achieve, explaining that the project, valued at about ₦135 billion, was approved shortly after he drew President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s attention to the issue.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, commended Governor Okpebholo for his swift intervention, commitment to education and decision to facilitate the release of the arrested students.
Other speakers also praised the governor for choosing dialogue over force and for prioritising the welfare of students and the university community.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu; the Minister of Youth; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Engagement; and other top government officials.