- Date of Birth:
- 1929-09-22
- Place of Birth:
- Ondo
- Date of Death:
- 1989-09-22
- DECEASED
Ambrose Folorunsho Alli was born on September 22, 1929 in Ondo State. He died on September 22, 1989. He was a Nigerian medical professor who served as Executive Governor of the defunct Nigerian state of Bendel State (now the Nigerian states of Edo and Delta) between 1979 and 1983. He was the first civilian governor.
Alli 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. He served as a house officer at the Adeoyo hospital from 1960 to 1961.
He went to the United Kingdom for a postgraduate 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.
He was elected the Governor of Bendel state, and later founded "Bendel state University" now "Ambrose Alli University", Ekpoma.
When Ambrose Alli left office in 1983, he retired to his family house. After the military government of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari took power, he was sentenced to 100 years in prison by a military tribunal for allegedly misappropriating N983,000 in funds for a road project.
He was later freed when the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, paid a fine to the government. He finally got released from the Prison after the fine amount of one million naira was remitted by chief igbinedion. After the release he was hosted by sir chief Dr. Ezekiel A. Ainabe.
Local Government council Ekpoma honoured Prof. Alli by launching his statue. Prof. Alli sacrificed his life for the people of Nigeria. In order to pay respect and for the service rendered to the community, Dr. Ezekiel A. Ainabe erected a statue at the market square in Eguare Ekpoma.
Shortly after being released from prison, Ambrose Folorunsho Alli died on his 60th birthday on 22 September 1989, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Lagos. An annual Distinguished Leadership Lecture was later established in his honour.
MyNigeria/Wikipedia