VC Appointment: University Council Members Reject new VC, Disown Purported Group Photograph
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s Governing Council is led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, with Professor Carol C. Arinze-Umobi serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
Concerned members of the 10th Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University have spoken out against the appointment of Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the new Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
They acknowledged attending the Council meeting on October 29, where Odoh was appointed, but clarified that joining a group photo didn’t imply their approval or participation in the process.
In a letter to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council dated November 1, 2024, the concerned members expressed their concerns.
They emphasized that being part of the group photo shouldn’t be mistaken for ratifying a process they didn’t participate in.
The members are requesting the Pro-Chancellor’s office to correct the narrative presented by the Registrar to the Office of the Permanent Secretary and the public.
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s Governing Council is led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, with Professor Carol C. Arinze-Umobi serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
SaharaReporters reports that there is confusion over the appointment of Prof Bernard Odoh as the substantive Vice-Chancellor as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs R G Ilyasu, in a letter nullified the appointment.
However, the Registrar, Bar Rosemary Nwokike, has declared the letter of the Permanent Secretary as nullity, insisting that Prof Odoh is set to resume work in the institution as the Vice Chancellor of the University on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
In a reply letter to the Permanent Secretary, the Registrar stated that the institution’s actions were informed and conforms with the statutory requirements “set forth in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap 139 (as amended), LFN 2004.
“The Registrar who doubles as the Secretary to the Council had replied that the actions of the Council were in total conformity with the provisions of Section 6 (a) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Standing Orders of the Governing Council which stipulates that the quorum requirements which mandates the presence of five members, including at least one of the following: The Vice-Chancellor or his Deputy, one appointee of the Visitor and one appointee of the Senate.”
However, the Concerned Council members stated that they were clearly sidelined in the processes leading to the appointment of the 7th Substantive Vice-Chancellor and new Registrar of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, faulting the claims of the Registrar that the complete Governing Council joined in shortlisting, selecting and appointing a Vice Chancellor, which event was finalized on the 29th of October 2024.
They explained that the procedures for selection and appointment of Substantive Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of Nnamdi Azikiwe University are provided for in the relevant provisions of the University’s Act, adding that laws envisages that the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of the University shall be appointed by the Governing Council after a due process leading thereto.
The maintained that one of the processes was publication of adverts, which the Council as defined in NAU Act is empowered to do. “Your office, of course know that the internal members neither made any input in the drafting of the adverts nor ratified same. Some issues in the referred advert were inimical to the greater good and interest of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. You will recall that we pointed those out to the Council and when we argued for a modification of the adverts in the inaugural meeting of the Council, you vetoed us.
“Upon inquiry by the Senate whom some of us are representing, we relayed how we were vetoed with regard to the modification of the adverts.
“Consequently, the Senate made 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. The opportunity for the interaction was not given.
“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 of shortlisting of those to be interviewed for the office of the Vice-Chancellor. Expectedly the Council particularly the Professors should take part in the shortlisting of candidates to be 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.”
The members, however, noted that the applications ought to have been opened in the full glare of the Council 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.
“Recall, and we reiterate that after the inaugural meeting of full Council on the 26th and 27th of September 2024, no other meeting of Council was convened apart from the meeting of 29th October 2024. The concerned Senate Representatives to the 10th Governing Council humbly argued for a corrigendum to the advertisement published for the appointment of Vice Chancellor. Sir you will recall that we had expressed reservations and concerns at our meeting.”
They maintained, “We, the undersigned, attended the meeting of 29th October 2024 with the hope that the issue of various troubling petitions against the Council and attendant controversies will be discussed as to the way forward. Instead your office went straight to brief the Council that 18 persons applied and that 15 attended the interview. Further, 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.
“Yes, we were invited to join the group photograph which we reluctantly obliged, knowing of course that sociality cannot be mistaken for procedural aberration. Group photographs cannot be considered ratification for processes we did not partake in.”
“Sir, we are dissatisfied and disappointed at the narrative espoused by the Office of the Registrar in the referred letter. It is sad to read that our attendance to Council meeting was so misinterpreted. This has unfortunately maligned us and put us in bad light with our base, the Senate, the general university community and the concerned public. May we also reiterate that sociality cannot take the place of legality and plead that the Council group picture shall henceforth not be used for misinformation.”
The letter copied, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education and Barr. (Mrs) R. Nwokike, Registrar/Secretary to the Council Nnamdi Azikiwe University was signed by Rev. Fr. Prof Ikenga Oraegbunam, Prof Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh, Prof Igwebuike V. Onyiaorah and Engr Samuel Ikechukwu Onwuemene.
