The Edo State Government has settled the benefits and gratuity owed Prof. Ambrose Alli, the late Governor of the defunct Bendel State, 34 years after his demise.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, who announced the development on Tuesday in Benin, said the entitlements were paid last week.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Alli, the first executive governor of the former Bendel (now Edo and Delta States), governed the South South state between 1979 and 1983.
Alli, who won the seat on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria, was born on September 22, 1929.
He died on September 22, 1989.
Obaseki made the disclosure in his remarks during the celebration of the award of the “Most Pension-Friendly Governor in Nigeria” bestowed on him by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.
NAN reports that Obaseki’s remarks focused on his commitment to the wellbeing of pensioners in the state.
He said: “Last Saturday, the widow of late Prof. Ambrose Alli turned 80 years in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
“Since he 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.
ALSO READ:
- Erotic Monday Night: Sex with my virgin friend, by Tiwa Says
- Gold Coast withdraws bid to host 2026 Commonwealth Games
- Just in: ATBU shut down, as students protest over colleague’s murder
- APC postpones inauguration of Standing Committees
- UK-based fashion designer promotes African prints, attire in Kwara
“He said we should just do her the honour of paying my father’s benefits while in office.
“I asked him: ‘You mean Prof. Alli’s benefits have 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.”
The Governor was represented by his wife, Betsy Obaseki, at the 80th birthday celebration of the late governor’s widow, Rosemary Alli-Walker.
Obaseki applauded the enduring impact of Alli’s tenure as governor, noting that the policies and programmes implemented during his leadership had continued to shape Edo State’s progress.
Obaseki listed areas with the most impact to include education, urban and rural development and healthcare.
He said that the former governor and his wife had a special place in the hearts of Edo people, which informed the large number of people that attended her birthday celebration.
Obaseki also lauded Mrs. Alli’s enduring commitment to values such as hard work, diligence and forthrightness.
He said: “These values, which you upheld during your tenure as First Lady, have continued to inspire the state’s ongoing reforms across various sectors of the economy.”
In her response, Mrs. Alli 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 in an initiative christened: “Operation Smile.”
NAN recalls that Governor Obaseki had in 2018 sought and obtained a posthumous Presidential Pardon for late Prof. Alli, a request that was ratified by the Council of State in 2020.
