Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has urged the public to disregard a letter reportedly from the Federal Ministry of Education, which claims that the appointment of Prof. Bernard Odoh as the university’s Vice-Chancellor has been annulled.
Last Tuesday, the university’s Governing Council announced Odoh, a Professor of Geophysics, as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor after a successful interview on the same day.
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However, a letter circulated in the media, purportedly signed by Mrs. R.G. Ilyasu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, stated that Odoh’s appointment was “null and void,” asserting that the process did not adhere to due process.
In response, Charles Otu, the Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice-Chancellor, issued a statement on Monday emphasizing that all procedures were followed during Odoh’s appointment.
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Otu explained that under Nigerian law, the Ministry of Education oversees educational standards but does not have the authority to dictate the daily operations of a university’s council, including appointments of Vice-Chancellors.
The statement included, “The institution has rightly stated that all its actions were informed and conform with the statutory requirements set forth in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap 139 (as amended), LFN 2004.”
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He noted that the Registrar, who also serves as the Secretary to the council, confirmed that the council’s actions adhered to the quorum requirements mandated by the Nnamdi Azikiwe Standing Orders.
“The registrar had also, in response to allegations of violations of due process, clarified that due process was meticulously observed throughout the appointment for both the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar.”
He emphasized that the governing council operates as an “autonomous governing body” capable of making independent decisions that align with the university’s best interests.
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Otu added, “Already, the appointment, which for now has not been expressly faulted by any law of our land, appears to be breeding some bad blood and unsettling the nerves of some possible big spenders among our Igbo brothers, including some fifth columnists suspected in the nation’s ruling party.”
He called on all parties involved to prioritize peace and urged the public to disregard any false documents suggesting the actions of the UNIZIK governing council were nullified.
Additionally, the statement announced that a “mass service shall be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, as part of activities for the resumption of office of the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh,” inviting members of the public to witness the events marking his first day in office.
