Victor EzejaFour internal members of the Governing Council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, have refuted claims by the Registrar, Mrs Rosemary Nwokike, that due process was followed in the appointment of the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor (VC) of the institution last week.
The four internal council members representing the University Senate and congregation – Rev Fr Prof. Ikenga Oraegbunam, Prof. Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh, Prof. Igwebuike V. Onyiaorah and Engr Samuel Ikechukwu Onwuemene – said that contrary to what the registrar stated in a letter to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, University Education Department that the complete Governing Council joined in shortlisting, selecting and appointing a Vice Chancellor, they were sidelined.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa reports that the University Governing Council led by Greg Mbadiwe had on Tuesday, 29th October 2024, announced a new substantive VC, Prof. Bernard Odoh.
The announcement sparked protests in the University community as various stakeholders criticised the process that led to the emergence of Odoh as vice chancellor.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, University Education department, in a letter dated November 1, 2024, addressed to the UNIZIK Governing Council, said the ministry has observed that due process was not followed in the appointment of the substantive VC and registrar, and declared that the exercises have been nullified.
The permanent secretary directed that all other appointments by the Council should remain pending until the new Minister of Education assumes office.
Responding to the letter, the new UNIZIK registrar who is also secretary of the council claimed that the council followed due process and complied with all laws of the University in the appointment of the VC.
However, in a letter addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the UNIZIK Governing Council, Amb. Gref Mbadiwe, the four internal council members expressed dismay over the claim by the registrar and detailed how they were excluded from the appointment process for the new VC and registrar, contrary to regulations guiding the exercise.
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According to them, the procedures for selection and appointment of Substantive Vice-Chancellor and Registrar as contained in the relevant provisions of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act and in the University Miscellaneous Provisions Act stipulates that the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of the University shall be appointed by the Governing Council after a due process.
One of the processes, they said, was the publication of adverts for VC vacant position, which the Council did without input from internal council members and even when they made suggestions for modification, the inaugural council meeting, they ignored and the School Senate’s resolutions including requesting a published corrigendum to the earlier published adverts and further request for an interaction with the full Council so as to modify the grey areas were not granted.
The internal members further stated that they were also not involved in the appointments of selection committees and search teams for appointment of Registrar and Vice-Chancellor and the committed were never presented to the general Council.
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Part of the letter to the governing council reads: “To our surprise, we saw your appointments of selection committees and search teams for appointment of Registrar and Vice-Chancellor. Even though these appointees were supposed to represent the Senate and Congregation, we were dissatisfied that neither the NAU Senate nor Congregation made any input in these as there were pending issues expected to be resolved. Sir, in essence, your office, in disregard, usurped the position of the Senate.
“These committees (even as they were wrongly selected) were never presented to the Council, as defined in the NAU Act.
“It is a known fact that none of the above committees should have been saddled with the task or the office of the Vice-Chancellor. Expectedly the shortlisting of those to be interviewed for the Council particularly the Professors should take part in the shortlisting of candidates to considered for the appointment of Vice-Chancellor, akin to appraisal for professorship rank, where non-professors ordinarily would not participate. Your office will in good conscience recall that neither were we invited nor did we take part in the shortlisting process.
“By the above unilateral act, the Chairman shut out every contribution (s) from us (concerned Senate Representatives) who have been in the university with all our experiences as to the practical suggestion of the qualities of person(s) who can serve our dear university as Vice-Chancellor.”
They stressed that the application process ought to be transparent for all the Council members to have first-hand and official knowledge of who and who applied. “Council examination of the submitted applications would have enabled robust scrutiny, just and proper shortlisting of applicants deserving to contest for the position of Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.”
They said there was no other council meeting after the inaugural one and on 29 October when they met, their expectation was that all issues raised against the council were to be addressed, but instead, the chairman went ahead and announced the appointment of the new VC.
“Without allowing any opportunity for any deliberation, your office announced a 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University having been scored 95% by referred selection team.
“Your office without considering all opinions, proceeded to issue the selected applicant a pre-written appointment letter.”
While admitting that they joined in a group photograph taken after the meeting, it was done reluctantly, adding that such cannot be taken to mean an express endorsement of what transpired as claimed by the registrar.
“We, the undersigned, want to categorically inform your office that joining the photograph does not obviate any anomaly in the processes.
“We strongly request that your office addresses the wrong narration put out by the Registrar to the Office of the Permanent Secretary and the public,” they added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
