Prof Asomwam Adagbonyin, Ag VC, AAU
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria has been conferred with the CORPORATE ETHICS AND INTEGRITY COMPLIANCE AWARD, 2023 by the Center for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO).
CESVO, is a Lokoja based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), which focuses on exposing corruption.
The Award held at the office of the Acting Vice-chancellor of the University, Prof. Asomwan Adagbonyin on Friday, 4 August, 2023.
The NGO also conferred the institutional and individual awards on the Acting Vice Chancellor, and other members of the University’s Management team.
Speaking shortly before decorating the Acting Vice-Chancellor with the medal for both awards, the Executive Director, CESVO, Prince Salih Musa Yakubu said; “This University was at a time, among the selected 10 most corrupt State-owned Universities in Nigeria.
“The ability of the Acting Vice Chancellor to say no to certain unethical things that were done arbitrarily; has elevated the University from its chronic bad records to a better one.
“We are aware that your life may be at risk for taking these bold steps to redirect the institution to the path of greatness, don’t forget that God is in control of all our affairs.
“You must not be deterred; you must be more determined and resolute that your mission here is to sanitize the University.
“Out of all the State-owned Universities under consideration at this point, we saw indicators of performance of leadership and management that is ethically correct; yours is one of the 10 most ethically responsible, highly rated State-owned University in Nigeria today.
“From the indicators we have seen and the kind of dexterity you have demonstrated so far under your leadership, the name of this University is hereby delisted from the list of State-owned Universities that are endemically corrupt.
“We can categorically say, without any fear of contradiction, that Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma is today one of the most ethically responsible, corrupt-free State owned University, genuinely committed to the provision of quality University education in Nigeria.”
Continuing, Prince Salih Musa Yakubu said: “These awards to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, as well as to the Vice-Chancellor and some of his Management team, is meant to encourage all to do more, to restore the University back to the pinnacle of its glory.”
On some of the criteria used in conferring the awards, the Executive Director stated: “The Vice-Chancellor bagged his award in Ethical Conduct and Leadership Compliance based on his assessment in: self-discipline, emotional intelligence, time management skills, corporate policy performance, ethical uprightness in work place, past antecedents, fiscal discipline and dedication to public service, among other thematic areas.”
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, according to Prince Yakubu, polled a cumulative corporate score of 76 percent defeating many other State-owned Universities across Nigeria, in a covert investigation by the Centre to win its award.
While the Acting Vice-Chancellor who bagged the award on Ethical Leadership/Conduct Compliance was said to have garnered 77 percent, to clinch his award.
The award confers on him the highest Honorific title of the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO) which is the Integrity Icon of Nigeria (I.I.O.N), Prince Yakubu said.
As a reward for the awards; the CESVO boss announced an offer of systemic training in Ethical Leadership for 200 members of AAU community, to be made up of 100 staff members, and 100 student leaders.
The training will come at a 70 percent liability to CESVO while the University caters for 30 percent, it was said.
Other recipients of CESVO Professional Ethics Compliance Awards and Work Place Ethics includes: Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof M.A. Azeke, Acting Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Theophilus Agweda, the Acting Registrar, Ambrose E. Odiase, the Bursar-in-Charge, Otoide Matthew Osahon and the Acting ICT Director, Dr.(Mrs) Jane Itohan Oviawe.
In his response, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the award-winning University, Professor Adagbonyin, expressed profound appreciation to CESVO for the honour.
“The awards conferred on me, the University and other members of staff will go a long way to further dispel all the misinformation about our great University.”
Professor Adagbonyin ascribed the awards to the collective efforts of all members of staff of the University, and the supervisory roles of the Special Intervention Team (SIT).
Dedicating all the awards to the S.I.T., he asserts: “With this, we are more determined as a team, to work towards sustaining the required standard expected from a University of first choice such as ours.
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