Okpebholo Pledges N2bn, Four Buses To Edo Varsity

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has pledged N2bn and four buses to Edo University, Iyamho.

He also commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Victor Adetimirin, for donating his first full month’s salary toward the construction of a health centre on the campus.

Okpebholo made the announcement during the inauguration of the Ehi-Agenmonmen Business Administration E-Library and the ground-breaking ceremony for a health centre and a fitness centre at the institution.

The governor said the VC’s personal sacrifice obliged the state government to do far more, announcing a donation of N2bn, two Toyota Hiace buses and two Compressed Natural Gas buses to the university.

“I want to sincerely thank the Vice-Chancellor of this university,” Okpebholo said, adding that such a sacrifice demonstrated dedication to educational development.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu for his continued interest in the education sector, saying the President’s inquiries into the state of education in Edo reflected the ideals of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

Responding to requests from the university management on buses, Okpebholo said, “You have asked for buses; we will give you two Hiace buses and two CNG buses. I will also add more as we progress.”

The governor called on the founding visitor of the university and former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, to contribute to ongoing projects, adding, “This university is dear to my heart.”

He assured the academic community of sustained government support, saying greater days lie ahead for the institution.

A business magnate and philanthropist, Ehi-Agenmonmen, donated the Business Administration E-Library, while businessman and philanthropist Peter Omoh Dunia is funding the fitness centre.

In his remarks, Oshiomhole commended Okpebholo for his commitment to education, disclosing that he was initially unaware that the university’s subvention had been raised to N250m.

“I thank you, Mr Governor, for increasing the subvention to the university. I initially thought it was N150m, not knowing it was raised to N250m,” he said.

Oshiomhole noted that the governor had resolved challenges facing medical students at Ambrose Alli University, which had lingered for years, doing so within weeks of assuming office.

“May the Almighty God continue to use you to right the wrongs of the past. Your name will be written in gold for resurrecting dreams that were once thought dead,” he added.

Earlier, Adetimirin described the governor’s visit as historic and timely, noting it was Okpebholo’s first official visit to the university.

The VC disclosed that a request for increased subvention by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof Olusegun Akinyinka, yielded results within 20 days, with the monthly allocation rising from N100m to N250m.

He said Okpebholo had also provided vehicles to support his official duties in February and reaffirmed his commitment to driving the institution to world-class status.

“Our students and staff deserve the best, and we are determined to complete these projects in record time,” Adetimirin said.