Quite scandalous that it has taken Edo State 34 years to accord its former governor during the second republic, Professor Ambrose Alli, his well deserved recognition, posthumously.
Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, from the blues just settled the benefits and gratuity of the former governor of the State, 34 years after Alli’s demise.
Ambrose Alli was the first Executive Governor of the former Bendel State (Now Edo and Delta states) between 1979 and 1983 under the then Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). He was born on September 22, 1929. The renowned Medical Professor died on September 22, 1989.
Alli’s recognition came on Monday in Benin City during the occasion of the celebration of the award of the ‘Most Pension Friendly Governor in Nigeria,’ that was bestowed on him by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP). Governor Obaseki seized the occasion to announce the belated payment of Alli’s entitlement.
Speaking on his commitment to the wellbeing of pensioners in the State including payments of outstanding pensions and gratuity, dating over 40 years, Obaseki revealed how the unpaid benefits of the former governor were settled few days ago by the state government.
According to the governor: “Last Saturday (August 19, 2023), the widow of former Governor of Edo State, late Prof. Ambrose Ali, turned 80 years in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He has made a lot of sacrifices for us as a State.
“We decided to celebrate with her and I asked one of the children what he thinks is an appropriate present for her mother. He said just do her the honour of paying my father’s benefits while in office. Then I said, you mean Prof. Ali benefits are not paid.’ He said yes. We went into the records, prepared the cheque and took it to her in England. This is to tell you where we are coming from. I’m glad we remembered him.”
Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, the governor’s wife, represented him at the 80th birthday celebration of the late governor’s widow, Chief Mrs. Rosemary Alli-Walker.
Mrs Obaseki recognised the enduring impact of Ambrose Alli’s tenure as governor, noting that the benefits of the policies and programmes implemented during his leadership, notably in education, urban and rural development and healthcare have continued to shape Edo State’s progress.
The Edo state First Lady applauded her enduring commitment to values such as hard work, diligence, and forthrightness, adding that these values, which she upheld during her tenure as First Lady, continue to inspire the state’s ongoing reforms across various sectors of the economy.
The celebrant, in her response to the felicitation, expressed her gratitude to the First Lady for travelling all the way from Nigeria to join in her celebration. She pledged to support free surgeries for children with cleft lips, an initiative named ‘Operation Smile’.
Theliberationnews recalls that Governor Obaseki in 2018, sought and obtained a Council of State ratified posthumous Presidential Pardon for late Governor Ambrose Alli in 2020.
