The National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the appointment of Dr Benard Odoh, as Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, alleging that he is not a full professor.
ASUU has also picked holes in the appointment of Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike as Registrar of the university in question.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that ASUU National President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, explained in a statement he issued on Monday that the National Executive Council of the union noted with grave concern the reported exclusion of internal members of the Council in the appointment proceedings as well as the utter disregard for the participation of the Senate in the nomination and selection process.
‘Arising from the discussion of the festering vice-chancellorship crisis at NAU, NEC noted the obvious abuses and breaches of the extant laws and procedures in the purported appointment of Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the University by the Governing Council. NEC expresses shock that Dr Benard Odoh, who from all available evidence is not a Full Professor, was purportedly appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of NAU by the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council in total disregard for the advertised eligibility criteria for the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University’ the statement said.
The statement added that the National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities met between 8th and 9th November 2024 at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, and discussed burning issues affecting the country’s university system, including the imbroglio at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, over the appointment of Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar.
‘NEC notes with grave concern the reported exclusion of internal members of Council in the appointment proceedings as well as the utter disregard for the participation of Senate in the nomination of its representatives into the requisite Committees for the selection processes as provided by the law of the University.
We insist that the action of the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council has no place in the University Law and tradition; it must, therefore, be addressed without delay.
NEC has resolved that the appointment of Dr Benard Odoh, the purported ‘Vice Chancellor’ and Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike, the purported ‘Registrar’ cannot stand, given its illegality and mockery of the university system. The continued stay in office by these imposed individuals constitutes a deliberate act of provocation and invitation to anarchy at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka.
Consequently, ASUU calls on the Visitor and President of the Federal Republic to urgently take concrete and decisive steps to restore law and order in NAU. For the avoidance of doubt, ASUU like many other stakeholders at NAU, does not have confidence in the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council and the Visitor should urgently intervene to redirect the University on the path of order, law, and due process’ he submitted-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you.
