Victor EzejaThe newly appointed Vice-chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Akwa, Anambra, Prof. Bernard Odoh, has formed a six-member committee to investigate some of the activities of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the institution school.
This was communicated through a memo dated 4 November 2024, signed by the University Registrar, Barr Mrs Rosemary Nwokike.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the memo, members of the committee include Prof. Harry Obi Nwosu from the Department of Psychology, as Chairman and Mr. Macanthony Obiezeani, General Administration who will serve as secretary.
Other members of the committee include Prof. M. N. Umenweke from the Faculty of Law; Prof. Chuka Enuka, Department of History & International Studies; Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe,
Department of Business Administration and Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye of the Department of lgbo, African & Asian Studies.
According to the memo, the committee is to probe the activities of ASUU chairman UNIZIK Chapter, Prof. Kingsley Ugboji, some of which include authority to initiate legal proceedings against the Governing Council among others.
The memo titled “Constitution of Five-member Committee,” said: “The committee is tasked with investigating and providing recommendations on the following matters:
“1. Authorization Verification – Ascertain if the academic stat union of Universities (ASUU) Nnamdi Azikiwe University Chapter, authorized Prof. Kingsley Ugboji to initiate legal proceedings against the Governing Council.
“2. Evaluation of Rights and Due Process – Investigate if the Council’s proceedings violated Prot. Kingsley Ugboji’s rights.
“3. Authority to Establish Committees – Assess whether the ASUU Chairman is authorized to create committees overseeing specific university units, such as the School of Postgraduate Studies, the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), and the Continuing Education Programme (CEP), and determine if such actions hinder the effective performance of unit heads.”
The committee, according to the memo, is required to submit its report within two weeks of the date of the memo.
UNIZIK has been embroiled in conflict in the last one week since the appointment of Prof. Odoh as the seventh substantive vice-chancellor of the university.
The University Governing Council led by chairman and Pro-Chancellor, Amb Greg Mbadiwe, had on 29 October 2024 announced the appointment of Odoh, a Professor of Geophysics, as the substantive VC of the institution.
Various stakeholders including ASUU, the University Senate, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and others within the university community have kicked against the appointment stating that due process was not followed.
READ ALSO: ASUU Seeks Removal Of UNIZIK New VC, Faults Appointment Process
This was followed by a letter from the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, University Education Department, which stated that the appointment of the new VC and registrar have been nullified, citing irregularities in the process.
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s Latest VC Drama – A Tale Of Actors And Powers
However, in swift response the university authorities through a letter signed by the new registrar, Nwokike, claimed that due process was followed in the appointment of the new VC.
Odoh in a statement by his media aide, Charles Otu, insisted that due process was meticulously followed in the appointment.
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.
