It’s no longer news that the first state owned “Ivory tower of academia” in Nigeria, Ambrose Alli University founded by then Bendel state governor, Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli in 1981, which has metamorphosed into an enviable citadel of knowledge, is set to mark her 40 years anniversary in grand style.
The AAU@40 celebration, will showcase the lofty progress of the institution since it’s inception with the advancement of human capital development, especially in the area of training and incubation of qualified graduates, infrastructural development, academic excellence, coupled with testimonies of productive research over the years.
However, the current Vice-Chancellor (Acting capacity) of the university, Prof. Osarhieme Benson Osadolor from History and International Studies in University of Benin, is poised towards revigorating the dream and vision of the founder of the University, Prof. Ambrose Alli, through a calculated strategy to redefine the standard, quality of teaching and learning.
The celebration, which will commence from Sunday October 24th to 30th, 2021, will feature public lectures, social works, lottery, academic excellence award to exemplary staff, launch of AAU Hall of Fame, art exhibition, drama presentations, cultural dances, fashion parades, live concert, photogenic contest, beauty pageants and lot’s more.
The university with the motto “Knowledge for Advancement”, is generally adjudged as one of the ten best in Law, Architecture, Engineering, Medicine, French, Theater and Media Arts, Education, Agriculture, Geography, the Sciences, Management, Medical Laboratory Science, Entrepreneurial and Development Studies, Economics, etc. Also, the ICT driven tertiary institution now conduct examinations, student elections, administration, finance practices, teaching and learning with so much ease.
Commencing academic activities in 1981 with just 408 foundation students. Interestingly, years later the university has graduated over hundred thousand students in more than 70 academic disciplines.
The significance of this AAU@40 celebration can’t be swept under the carpet but should be used as an avenue to celebrate the founder of this great University – who against all odds saw the need to bridge that visible lacuna and advance the educational (tertiary) needs of his people.
Prof. Ambrose Alli’s legacy achievement has snowballed into two great universities with massive human and physical structures – Ambrose Alli University and Delta State University.
Students, graduates and alumnus shouldn’t disappoint the proponent of this University but seek ways to collaborate with the management of AAU ably led by Prof. Benson Osadolor, in ensuring that the maiden edition of this celebration is achieved.
The likes of Samantha Agazuma, Nigerian cricketer, Alibaba Akpobome, popular Nigerian comedian, Prof. Benedict Ayade, Governor, Cross River state, Aisha Buhari, First Lady of Nigeria and wife of the Current President, Muhammadu Buhari, Tony Elumelu, Chairman Heirs Holdings and successful Nigerian Investor, Philanthropist & Entrepreneur, Don Jazzy, singer, Festus Keyamo, lawyer, socialist, critic, columnist and human right activist, Samuel Oboh, Canadian architect and president of the Alberta chapter of Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), Omawumi, singer, Peggy Ovire, Nigerian actor and lastly, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Christ Embassy and many others who are alumnus of AAU should not only use this opportunity to support this very noble course but equally seek ways to impact positively on the development of the university.