The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strongly disapproves of the recent appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), alleging that the process violated established procedures.
The union has called for a review of the appointment, insisting that due process be followed to ensure transparency and fairness in selecting the institution’s leadership.
In a press statement yesterday titled “Nnamdi Azikiwe University Vice Chancellorship Imbroglio: A Call For Decisive Action By The Visitor,” ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke said the Union resolved to resist any further act of impunity, lawlessness, violation of academics’ rights, intimidation, and witch-hunt by the pseudo authorities at NAU.
According to him, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Union met at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, and discussed burning issues affecting the country’s university system, including the imbroglio at NAU Awka over the appointment of the Vice Chancellor and Registrar for the University.
NEC noted the blatant abuses and breaches of the extant laws and procedures in the purported appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the University by the Governing Council.
NEC also expressed shock that Dr Benard Odoh, who, according to all available evidence, is not a Full Professor, was purportedly appointed the Vice-Chancellor of NAU by the Amb Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council must consider the advertised eligibility criteria for the position.
The statement added, “NEC noted 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. NEC further noted the appeals and interventions made without success by the
“University’s Chapter of ASUU, Senate of the University, Federal Ministry of Education and the Association of Medical and Dental Council to discourage Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council of NAU from the path of recklessness, lawlessness and impunity in appointing substantive Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of NAU.”
It maintained that the current crisis facing NAU stemmed from abuse of the procedures for appointing the Vice Chancellor, including the advertisement, search, and shortlisting and selection processes by the pro-chancellor and Chairman of the University’s governing council.
“ASUU views the dictatorial and repressive actions of the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council of NAU in the purported appointment of Dr Benard Odoh as Vice-Chancellor and Mrs Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike as Registrar, a colossal joke and a mockery of the academia! We insist that the action of the AmbGreg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council has no place in the University Law and tradition; it MUST, therefore, be addressed with time.
“NEC 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. These imposed individuals’ continued stay in office constitutes a deliberate act of provocation and invitation to anarchy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.”
ASUU further called on the Visitor and President of the Federal Republic to urgently take concrete and decisive steps to restore law and order in NAU.
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