AMBROSE FOLORUNSHO
ALLI
Ambrose
Folorunsho Alli
(22 September 1929 – 22 September 1989) was a Nigerian medical professor who served as Executive
Governor of the defunct Nigerian state of Bendel State (now the Nigerian states of Edo and Delta ) between 1979 and 1983. He was the first civilian
governor.[1]
Background
Ambrose
Folorunsho Alli was born in Idoani, Ondo state on 22 September 1929. In his childhood he
moved between Oka-Odo, Ekpoma, Owo, Efon-Alaye, Benin City and Asaba, where he completed his secondary education in 1948. He
attended the School of Agriculture Ibadan (1948) and the School of Medical Technology, Adeoyo
Hospital Ibadan (1953–1960) where he gained an MBBS. He served as a house
office at the Adeoyo hospital from 1960 to 1961. He went to the United Kingdom for a post-graduate course in neuropathology
at the University of London (1961–1966), gaining a
D.C. Pathology degree. Later he studied at the University of
Birmingham
from 1971 to 1974.[1]
He
was a lecturer at the University of Ibadan (1966–1969) and was senior
lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1969–1974). From 1974 to
1979, Alli was Professor of Morbid Anatomy and head of the department of pathology
at the University of
Benin, Benin City.[1]
Political career
Following
his academic posts, he was elected the Governor of Bendel state, and later
founded "Bendel state University" now "Ambrose Alli University",
Ekpoma. Many campuses in Ekpoma, Abraka and Asaba were established during his
tenure. However, with the creation of Delta State by the administration of Gen.
Babangida, the University became two Universities, namely Delta State
University, Abraka and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, posthumously named
after him. Ambrose Alli was a member of the constituent assembly that drafted
the 1978 Nigeria constitution. He joined the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and ran successfully
as UPN candidate in the Bendel State governorship election of 1979. He brought
massive development to Bendel in different sectors, from the establishment of
numerous post-primary schools and tertiary institutions, and massive
construction of roads and housing. His main thrust as governor was to increase
educational opportunities. He established over 600 new secondary schools, and
abolished secondary school fees. Apart from the establishment of the
University, he also established various colleges of Education in Ekiadolor near
Benin City, Agbor, Warri, Ozoro and Agbor, and three Polytechnics, with a
college of agriculture and fishery proposed for Agenebode. He also established
four teachers training colleges to supply staff to the new schools, as well as
several other higher educational institutions. In 1981 he laid the foundation
of the Bendel State University, which is now named the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Other reforms included abolishing charges for services
and drugs at state-owned hospitals and eliminating the flat-rate tax.[1] His administration carried out massive
construction of roads to open up the rural areas.[2] In the housing sector he built low cost
housing estates in Ugbowo, Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, and Bendel Estates in
Warri. As Governor, he always wore sandals, joking that he was so busy working
in Government House that he never had time to buy shoes for himself.[3]
Later career
When
Ambrose Alli left office in 1983, he retired to his family house.[2] After the military government of
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari took power, he was
sentenced to 100 years in prison by a military tribunal for allegedly
misappropriating N983,000 in funds for a road project. He was later freed when
the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, paid a fine to the
government.[4] He finally got released from the Prison
after the fine amount of one million naira was remitted by chief igbinedion.
After the release he was hosted by sir chief Dr.Ezekiel A.Ainabe. Local
Government council Ekpoma honoured Prof.Alli by launching his statue. Prof.Alli
sacrificed his life for the people of Nigeria. In order to pay respect and for
the service rendered to the community, Dr.Ezekiel A.Ainabe erected a statue at
the market square in Eguare ekpoma.
Death
Shortly
after being released from prison, Ambrose Folorunsho Alli died on his 60th
birthday on 22 September 1989, at the Lagos
University Teaching Hospital in Lagos. An annual Distinguished
Leadership Lecture was later established in his honour.[2]
References
· · Onyedika Agbedo (3 October 2009). "Ambrose Alli's Exemplary Leadership Qualities Are
Worthy Of Emulation". Guardian. Retrieved 2009-12-27.[dead link]
· Victor Osehobo (9 November 2009). "Remembering Ambrose Alli".
Nigerian Newsworld. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
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