Expediency Of Doing Something Worthy For The People As Nigerians Remember Ambrose Alli -By Isaac Asabor

Ambrose Folorunsho Alli, would have been 92 years old if he were alive today as he was born on September 22, 1929. He was a medical professor who served as Executive Governor of the defunct Bendel State (now known as Edo and Delta states) between 1979 and 1983, and was then the first Civilian Governor the then Bendel State had under a democratic dispensation.

There is no denying the fact that his heart was broken, even as he was disillusioned towards the end of 1983, when the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari took power, and removed him from office as a civilian governor and jailed him after a military tribunal where he was found guilty of allegedly misappropriating ₦983,000 funds for a road project. Despite that, he remains one of the most influential leaders that had emerged from the Midwestern region of the country, and posthumously remains a leader that can make anyone to proudly beat his or her chest, and scream; “There Was A Leader”, particularly in infrastructural development, notably in the area of education.

Ambrose Alli who was born in Idonani, Ondo state on 22 September 1929 in his childhood moved between Oka-Odo, Ekpoma, Owo, Efon-Alaye, Benin City and Asaba, where he completed his secondary education in 1948. He attended the School of Agriculture Ibadan (1948) and the School of Medical Technology, Adeoyo Hospital Ibadan (1953–1960) where he gained an MBBS, and served as a House Officer at the Adeoyo Hospital from 1960 to 1961, before proceeding to the United Kingdom for a post-graduate course in neuropathology at the University of London (1961–1966), gaining a D.C. pathology degree. Later he studied at the University of Birmingham from 1971 to 1974.

Without resort to undeservedly sounding panegyric in this context, Ambrose Alli was a lighthouse personified, a role model, and a real live superhero for an entire generation, wherein this writer belongs, that he will forever remain thankful to him for the enormous educational opportunities that were provided in his administration that lasted between 1979 and 1983. Aptly put, his determination, integrity, and intellectualism made him a true leader in the entire Bendel State; now Delta and Edo states so much that his names still resonate in Ambrose Alli University (AAU). In just a tenure of his administration, he achieved so much in the area of educational infrastructure that one cannot but conclude that his earthly journey as a leader represented hope, demonstration of ideal governance, and a display of democratic legacy in such a way that Edolites are yet to see from his successors at Osadebay Avenue the kind of quality governance he exhibited, and left as a legacy.  

At this juncture, it is expedient to ask the contemporary crop of leaders in Edo State and Delta State, “As Ambrose Alli is remembered today, how do you want to be remembered?”

The foregoing salient question, no doubt, is expedient as true leadership unarguably means when leaders work with the understanding and acknowledgement of the fact that others will inherit what they leave behind. Aptly put, leaders should have the potential and opportunity to make a lasting impact on those they serve.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is not an exaggeration to say that I have had the privilege of benefiting from Ambrose Alli’s leadership; particularly in the area of education, which he unarguably used in transforming the learning experience for thousands of Edolites and Deltans in those days, thereby leaving a legacy that has the potential to last for generations, particularly as Ambrose Alli University and other educational institutions established under his administration are thriving today.

It would also be recalled in this context that he had in his lifetime demonstrated the fact that educational transformation is possible when leaders have a steadfast belief in the potential of every child, relentless focus on student learning and the intentional development of a culture that inspires and supports students’ strengths, hopes, and dreams, a sense of optimism and hope about their ability to make a difference and a commitment to working as a team to accomplish great things for students.

At this juncture, permit me to urge contemporary crop of leaders in Edo and Delta to have enough courage and political will to challenge the status quo, and an understanding that it is their job to take a stand on what matters most for the youths, particularly in the areas of education and employment.

It is not hyperbolical to say that making a difference is leaving a legacy, and in their current roles, have the unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for the children that leadership will impact on. What an incredible honor… and responsibility!

I think Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, authors of “A Leader’s Legacy”, said it best when they wrote:

“Each of us lives on in the memories we create, in the systems and practices we set in place (or don’t), and in the lives we touch. We guarantee that what people will say about you (when you’re gone) will not be about what you achieved for yourself but what you achieved for others. Not how big a campfire you built but how well you kept others warm, how well you illuminated the night to make them feel safe, and how beautiful you left the campsite for those who would come after you to build the next fire.” At this juncture, it is expedient to remind contemporary leaders that it is not too late for them to start thinking about the legacies they wish to leave behind. How do they want to be remembered? How will others remember them just the same way Ambrose Alli is being remembered today.