AMBROSE ALLI(1929-1989)was born in Idoani, Ondo State on September 22 1929.He was the governor of the defunct Nigerian state of Bendel (now the Nigerian states of Edo and Delta), from 1979 to 1983. He was the first civilian governor.
He brought massive development to Bendel in different sectors, from the establishment of numerous post-primary schools and tertiary institutions, and massive construction of roads and housing.He was a lecture at the University of Ibadan and later a pioneer lecturer at the faculty of medicine Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
Prior to his election as Governor, he was Professor of Morbid Anatomy in University of Benin. When Elected the Governor of Bendel state, He later founded “Bendel state University” now “Ambrose Alli University”, Ekpoma. Many campuses in Ekpoma, Abraka and Asaba was established during his tenure. However, with the creation of Delta State by the administration of Gen. Babangida, the University became two Universities, namely Delta State University, Abraka and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, posthumously named after him.
Apart from the establishment of the University, he also established various colleges of Education in Ekiadolor near Benin City, Agbor, Warri, Ozoro and three Polytechnics, with a college of agriculture and fishery proposed for Agenebode.
In the housing sector he built low cost housing estates in Ugbowo, Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, and Bendel Estates in Warri.During the military junta General M. Buhari he was tried for corruption and misappropriation of funds and consequently sentenced to 180years imprisonment. During the IBB era, he was released but already in bad state of health and almost blind. Tottenham Hotspur FC player Dele Alli is related to him. He died on 22 September,1989 on his 60th birthday.
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