In a significant development for the medical department of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma, Governor Monday Okpebholo has successfully secured the induction of 128 medical graduates, whose ceremony was delayed for several months due to lingering crises. The induction, which was initially scheduled for August 2024, will now take place on February 13, 2025, following the intervention of the Edo State Government.
The graduates, who have spent 10 years in medical school, had faced an uncertain future as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria had put a halt on their induction due to unresolved issues. The delay sparked protests from the students, leading to a blockade of the Benin-Auchi Highway earlier this month.
Responding promptly to the students’ concerns, Governor Okpebholo initiated dialogue with relevant authorities to resolve the crisis. Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, thanked the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Fatima Kyari, for her support in facilitating the new induction date.
Dr. Iyamu expressed the commitment of Governor Okpebholo’s administration to prioritizing the welfare of students across the state and reaffirmed the government’s continued efforts to ensure that the education sector receives necessary attention.
This intervention is not only a major relief for the affected medical graduates but has also inspired hope among other students in the medical faculty, as well as the university’s lecturers. The governor’s recent reinstatement of subventions to the institution and the re-engagement of staff previously dismissed by the former administration are seen as critical steps in revitalizing the education sector in Edo State.
Governor Okpebholo’s efforts highlighted his commitment to advancing education in the state, positioning Edo as a leading educational hub in Nigeria.
