By DADA AYOKHAI
The Edo State House of Assembly has i amended the law establishing Edo State University, Uzairue.
The new bill aims to revise the old Edo State University, Uzairue Law of 2020.
In essence, the proposed amendment focuses on altering the wording in Section 5 of the previous law to better reflect current realities.
The 2020 law explicitly identified Uzairue as the location of the institution.
However, following the desire of the Edo State governor, Gov. Monday Okpevbolo, to change the name of the university from Uzairue to Iyamho, the Assembly felt compelled to comply with the wishes of the number one citizen of the state
On December 30, 2024, Gov. Okpeholo changed the name of the university from Edo State University, Uzairue, to Iyamho in what many perceived as a unilateral decision.
The Secretary to the State Government later issued a statement declaring that the name change would take immediate effect.
The renaming sparked a huge outcry, with many critics suggesting it was politically motivated.
Despite persistent efforts by the state government to justify the renaming, the anger did not abate
Critics were particularly angered by how the renaming was carried out, arguing that the governor should have consulted the state Assembly to formally amend the laws establishing the university.
Forced into a corner, the state government recoiled, leading to the current efforts by the Assembly to amend the law.
Coming soon after his inauguration, the renaming was widely perceived as an attempt at “hero worship” Sen Adams Oshiomhole who played a crucial role in Gov. Okpevbolo’s victory during the Edo gubernatorial election on September 21.
However, the name change is already causing divisions within Uzairue.
Proponents of the renaming argue that there are no valid reasons for it, cautioning that the amendment sets a bad precedent where every village may begin to demand that government projects be named after their village heads instead of following the traditional naming conventions that honour the clan. A valid example they said is NTA Uzairue which is located in Jattu .
Hon. Aiguobarueggian explained the rationale behind the name change, stating the amendment aims to eliminate any ambiguity whatsoever regarding the exact location of the installation.
He clarified that although the university is located in Iyamho, Uzairue remains the headquarters of the clan as well as the various communities embedded in it
During the debate, Hon. Sunday Ojezele, the member representing the Esan South East constituency, blamed the 7th Assembly, presided over by Speaker Marcus Onobu, for the errors in the previous amendment.
Additionally, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Eric Okakah, along with Hon. Nicholas Asonsere, representing the Ikpoba Okha constituency, and Hon. Lecky Hussein Mustapha, representing the Etsako West 1 constituency, all expressed support for the amendment.
They argued that the name change would instil pride in the community and its people, regardless of where it is mentioned.
Interestingly, the member representing Uzairue in the assembly, Hon. Gani Akokhia, did not participate in the debate.
He remained silent while his colleagues discussed the name change.
After a thorough clause-by-clause examination of the bill, it successfully passed and is now awaiting the governor’s assent to become law.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku has directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Yahaya Audu Omogbai, to ensure that clean copies of the new law are prepared for the governor’s assent
