Sylvester Asoya
Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli, the resourceful teacher and administrator, would have turned 94 today. This good-natured former governor of the defunct Bendel State, who was born on September 22, 1929 and coincidentally died on his birthday in 1989, was also a governor of governors. As a teacher, he believed that education can actually bring about the much-needed change, and at the same time, provide the key to all other necessary changes for a better society. Like most good teachers, he fully understood and appreciated the fact that learning opens many doors. Alli also subscribed to the unimpeachable idea that knowledge, as a key confidence builder, brings about critical thinking, hope, understanding, development, innovation, tolerance, informed decisions, increased productivity, stability and a healthy and meaningful life.
So, to live the dream while in office as governor, Alli established more primary and secondary schools and made education free in both primary and post primary institutions. This was in line with the sound education policy of his party, the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN during the Second Republic.
In addition, he empowered teachers, provided learning materials even to far-flung communities, made learning more pleasurable with positive incentives and opened up the education sector with his vision, bravery, tenacity and liberal policies.
To begin with, he established teacher training colleges in all the divisions in the then Bendel State, and deployed trained teachers to teach in those institutions. Today, part of what Edo and Delta States enjoy in terms of quality education, was made possible by Alli’s vision, exposure, selflessness and courage.
He later added additional feather to his cap when he provided opportunities for the professional training of teachers in the Faculty of Education at the University of Benin. At UNIBEN, in those days, many teachers, including those in the hinterland, obtained the highly regarded Associateship Certificate in education, a qualification that eventually made it possible for some of them to obtain degree certificates, both in Nigerian universities and outside. Some of those teachers, in the long run, retired as secondary school principals and vice principals.
But Alli also established Bendel State Teaching Service Commission in Benin-City, being the capital of the state, and Teaching Service Committees as grassroots organs in all the local government areas. The commission, in conjunction with its affiliate groups at the local levels, functioned as a commendable scheme that decentralized and refocused educational administration in Bendel State.
However, his success in the education sector as a governor, eventually culminated in the establishment of Bendel State University (BENSU) Ekpoma, in 1981, a school known today as Ambrose Alli University, in honour of its unforgettable founder. Like most institutions of higher learning, this university in Ekpoma, Edo State, remains an important centre of learning and opportunities to many, especially young people. I understand AAU trains students to think differently and independently. This university, in many ways, also supports self-discovery and national integration. Above all, AAU brought education closer to the people, and many graduates of that great institution, I am sure, are very much indebted to the vision and generosity of this uncommon former governor.
“I love education, and I have a soft spot for teachers”, Alli once told journalists in Benin City during a media parley at the dawn of his administration. In a short time, it became obvious that teachers and teaching were at the heart of his mission as governor. Naturally, his administration brought a new era for teachers and the teaching profession in the entire Bendel State. But outside education, Alli is also well-known, respected and remembered for stimulating many big ideas and debates in other spheres of life during his time as governor.
But on a serious note, who really cares about teachers and education these days in Nigeria?
Last year, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU shut the gates of many Nigerian universities for nearly one year over failure of a thoughtless government to execute earlier agreements that bordered on funding and improved conditions of service. The following year, (2023) during Nigeria’s general elections, some Nigerian professors became accomplices in their country’s contestable and extremely acrimonious general elections.
What a tragedy!
My first and only encounter with Ambrose Alli was in the company of my father, in 1979 as a primary school pupil, and that was in the run-up to his election into the office of governor. That day in Issele-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area in Delta State, and the home town of ‘Zulu Sofola, Africa’s first female professor of Theatre Arts, Alli read his manifesto to an enthusiastic crowd over the public-address system. In that remarkable speech, he promised to implement all the laudable educational, social, cultural, economic and public health programmes of the UPN. On our way home that fateful day, my father, who came to the campaign venue like other school teachers and ordinary people with a message of solidarity and love, spoke candidly about Alli’s abilities as a teacher, seasoned administrator and follower of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of Nigeria’s greatest political figures.
Therefore, I must emphasize that this piece was actually inspired by Ben Asoya, my 87 years old father, a teacher and a retired secondary school principal. By the way, my father turned 87 yesterday, 21 September.
Lately, my father, who is becoming more reflective about afterlife, childhood days, historical events, family values, education, today’s leaders and life generally, has been making compelling arguments about education and Professor Alli’s time in office. He has also been reflecting deeply on the teaching profession, dearth of career and dedicated teachers, the ugly truth about Nigeria’s extreme reactionary politics, interpersonal relationships, free and compulsory education in the former Western Region where we once belonged, and the architects of that exemplary educational model that was initiated by Awolowo.
I remember in 2015 when Senator Ifeanyi Okowa became the governor of Delta State, Ben Asoya was excited for many reasons. His excitement was actually rooted in the fact that Chief Okorie Okowa, the former governor’s brilliant and charismatic father, was his friend and senior colleague at Onicha-Olona College, Onicha-Olona, where they taught and mentored many students that eventually became professional teachers, both in Edo and Delta States. Asoya at the time, believed that the younger Okowa was actually a Daniel come to judgment, (a God-sent who would help and elevate teachers after many years of unbridled injustice, widespread prejudice, neglect and disrespect). Well, I hope this lucky son of a teacher who became a governor, left a good memory in the hearts of retired teachers like my father and others still in service in Delta State.
For Alli that we know, he will always be remembered for his unflinching altruism, vision, service and dedication to duty. He was indeed, a great administrator, a consummate teacher, a compassionate leader, an exemplary political figure and lover of the masses. And Alli was a man who came at the perfect moment. He was also a politician who stood out from the rest, and he still lives in the hearts of many people. Bendelites remember him today and always, for his patriotism, honesty, devotion, simplicity, openhandedness and love for education and those he governed. Alli, the governor, was also unselfish, unlike today’s rulers and emperors who are busy building mansions and industries that are programmed to fail. How about the unsustainable “halls of fame” and foundations some of these new men of power are also erecting for themselves, their families and a future that is unknown?
Alli is in our thoughts, always, even without any induction or election into any hall of fame. And I think that is what matters at the end of the day.
So, as we invoke his indomitable spirit today on his birthday, may the glory of the years past, return for the sake of this great man who left his mark on the world.
Nigeria and the next generation, surely deserve better.
Au Revoir, our great and unforgettable governor.
