By Fidel Ozugha
The Federal Ministry of Education has nullified the appointment of the substantive Vice Chancellor and Registrar of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
In a letter dated 1st November, 2024,titled RE: APPOINTMENT OF SUBSTANTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR AND REGISTRAR FOR NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, addressed to the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Council, in the person of Amb. Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe, signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary by Mrs. R.G. Ilasu and made available to The NationGuardNews, the University Education Department of the Ministry referred to a meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Education (HMSE) held on Friday, 25th October, 2024 where it was formally agreed that ”no appointments should be carried out by your (Pro-Chancellor Amb. Mbadiwe’s) Council without reconciling with the aggrieved parties in the University Community.”
Honourable Minister of State for Education (HMSE), 3rd, r-l, Pro-Chancellor,Amb. Mbadiwe and others during the meeting with the HMSE in Abuja
The letter which was copied to Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, observed that Amb. Mbadiwe went ahead to appoint without representative of the Ministry, the internal Council members and other stakeholders. This was done Tuesday, 29th October, 2024 after assuring the Hon. Minister that reconciliation would be done forthwith. ”This is a gross disregard to constituted Authority and is not in line with Extant provisions,” the Education Registrar lamented.
It is against this backdrop that ” I am directed to inform you (Pro-Chanchellor Amb Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe) that all appointments made so far are null and void.You are therefore requested to put on hold all other appointments in the University pending the assumption on duty of the new Honourable Minister of Education.
Three days after appointment and two days away to celebrate it in the church, Dr. Odoh’s appointment as the substantive 7th Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka has been declared ”Null and Void” by the Fed. Govt.
