has tasked the state government and management of the Edo University,
Iyamho, to be focused on the ideals behind the establishment of the
institution.
The ex-governor said the institution was established to provide first
class university education with skill acquisition, train future leaders
and provide environment for quality learning, teaching and research.
Oshiomhole, who spoke at the first Founder’s Day lecture of the
university, reminded the institution management that the school was not
built for only children of the rich.
The Founder’s Day lecturers were delivered by Vice Chancellor of the
University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State, Prof. Friday Okonofua and a
former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barr. Austine
Alegeh.
Oshiomhole stated that part of the institution policy was to pay
tuition fees of gifted indigent students from grants made available to
the university by the state government.
He urged the university management to strive towards maintaining facilities put in place for future generation to use.
He said, “We have a clear vision to build a world class university. I
said we will not start with a temporary site. That was why we put
standard structures in place. Management must continue to maintain these
facilities.
“I told the VC then that if you must charge economic fees, they must
allocate a percentage to indigent students who are brilliant and whose
parents cannot afford to pay the fees. We must have brilliant students
here to be covered by grants given to the university.
“Edo University must cover those gifted children. I will not accept
for the state to subsidize education for the rich. To avoid disruption
in academic calendar, I then directed that lecturers in this university
be better paid.
“I hoped that some of these policies are sustained so that poor parents can send their children to this university.”
In his lecture titled, “Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria: The Role
of the Judiciary,” Barr. Alegeh said the laws granted to the courts
encouraged abuse of discretionary powers.
He called for the establishment of Bail Act, Sentencing Act and
enactment of laws providing for maximum period an accused person may be
remanded in prison custody.
