By Fidel Ozugha
The Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh has made some appointments, assigned some duties, among others in the University Staff.
In a memo from the office of the Registrar which was signed by the Registrar, Barr. (Mrs) R. I. Nwokike, titled APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR, COORDINATOR, SPECIAL ASSISTANT, AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR, the Vice Chancellor appointed Prof. Isaac Nwankwo as TETFUND Director; Arc Dr. Lynda Chinwendu Madugha as the Deputy Director of TETFUND; Prof. Chigozie Damian Ezeonyejaku to be in charge of SAVC (Accreditation); Rev. Fr. Engr. Chetanna Jude Chukwuneke, SAVC (Campus Infrastructure and Green); and Prof. Anthony Okoye as Coordinator of Campus Utilities (Water and Elecricity)
VC Odoh charged the newly appointees to discharge their duties diligently and credibly in order to support the growth of the University. He then ordered that ”The outgoing Director and Deputy Director are to hand over to the new Director and Deputy Director nolater than 4:00 p.m on Monday, 11 November 2024.”
The memo dated 8th November, 2024, was copied to VC, DVC (Admin), SAVC (Academic), Bursar, among others.
It will be recalled the Federal Ministry of Education (University Education Department) was on 1st November, 2024, nullified the appointment of the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the University.
In a letter signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary by Mrs R. G. Ilyasu, and copied to Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, stated that the appointment was nullified. The reasons for the nullification were given as ”..a gross disregard to constituted Authority and is not in line with Extant provisions.”
Dr. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh being made the VC that was declared null and void.
Going further the letter which was addressedto the Pro-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Amb.Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe the letter reads, ”Against this backdrop, I am directed to inform you 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.”
However, the letter did not direct how the void created could be filled since the University should not be rudderless. Which was what played out when the immediate former Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone handed over mantle of leadership to former DVC, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, no letter of appointment from the Federal Ministry was issued to him as the Acting VC.
Before making the appointments, the Vice Chancellor, in what seemed to be his first duty, had constituted a committee to look into the activities of Comrade Prof Kingsley Ugboji, chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a memo signed by the Registrar, Barr (Mrs) R. I. Nwokike, the six-member committee were Prof. Harry Obi Nwosu of Department of Psychology as the Chairman; Prof. M.N. Umenweke of Faculty of Law; Prof. Chuka Enuka of Department of History and International Studies Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe from Dept of Business Administration; Prof. Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye in the Dept of Igbo, African and Asia Studies; and Mr.Macanthony Obiezeani of General Administration as the Secretary.
The letter states terms of reference of the investigation to be authorization verification in which they would find out who ”authorized Prof Kingsley Ugboji to initiate legal proceedings against the Governing Council.
ASUU UNIZIK Chapter Chairman, Prof Kingsley Ugboji and members on a demonstration against decisions of the Governing Council
The Committee has also evaluation of rights and due process in which it will ”investigate if the Council’s proceedings violated Prof. Kingsley Ugboji’s rights.
The term of reference for the committee is in the area of authority to establish committees. The six-member committee will assess whether the ASUU Chairman is authorized to create committees overseeing specific university units such as School of Postgraduate Studies, the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), and the Continuing Education Programme (CEP), and determine if such actions hinder effective performance of such units.
Two weeks were given to them to submit their investigations as well providing recommendations being empowered to do so.
Responding to the unfolding events in the University, The NationGuardNews gathered a sharp gulf now exists within the staff. While some maintain that the rights were not done in the process of getting the University vice chancellor and registrar, others didn’t care much as long as their bread is buttered.
One of them who spoke on the condition of anonymity expressed fear that leadership of the University was not moving in the right direction. ”How can you start your leadership experiment with investigation, looking for who to victimize. To me, that is a faulty start, and it goes on to portray the mindset formed about administering the university community where hot different views are brewed every now and then,” he said..
Another senior lecturer said he admired the courageous spirit of the young man. ”It shows that he understands how things work in Nigeria. Damn the consequences and move on. Being lawful doesn’t pay always. Waggle your way if you have the heart…”
