There appears a tripartite face-off between the Federal Ministry of Education, the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) and Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, over the latter’s appointment as the 7th vice-chancellor (Vof UNIZIK on October 29; PAUL OKAH reports.
All is not well at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra state, as a result of squabbles that greeted the appointment of the 2023 governorship candidate in Ebonyi state, under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, as the 7th Vice Chancellor (VC) of UNIZIK by the University Governing Council on October 29.
After assuming office on June 4, 2019, the tenure of the 6th vice-chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Charles Esimone, ended on June 3, 2024, with Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu has held the office of the VC (on a temporary basis) since June 4, 2024.
Subsequently, the university appointed Professor Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi (the first woman to hold the position in the university’s history) on July 20 as Acting VC from July 22, 2024, until Odoh’s “controversial” appointment on October 29 for a five-year term.
Odoh, an alumnus of UNIZIK, graduated from the Department of Geological Sciences in 1999 and later obtained his PhD in 2008. Before his appointment as the 7th VC of UNIZIK, Odoh served as a member of UNIZIK’s Senate from 2010 to 2014 and was Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor (Academic Matters I).
The Ministry’s angst
However, following Odoh’s appointment as the 7th VC of UNIZIK, in a letter obtained by our reporter, dated November 1, the Ministry of Education, through the University Education Department, referenced FME/HE/CU/82/302, addressed to the Pro-chancellor/chairman of Council of UNIZIK, declared the appointment null and void.
The letter, signed by Mrs. R.G. Ilyasu for the permanent secretary, stated that the university Council’s actions disregarded constituted authority and extant provisions by appointing a VC without the Ministry’s representative, internal Council members and other stakeholders.
The Ministry said it had been agreed that there would be no appointments without reconciliation with aggrieved parties of the school and directed the university to put all appointments on hold pending the assumption of duty by the new Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa.
The varsity’s reply
Interestingly, in a letter obtained by our reporter, dated November 1, 2024, while replying to the Ministry, the Registrar/ Secretary to the Council, UNIZIK, Mrs. R. I. Nwokike, said there was no protocol broken in Odoh’s appointment.
“Due process was meticulously observed throughout the selection and appointment processes for both the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar. The suggestion of “reconciling with aggrieved persons” is not relevant to this procedural integrity.
“Of the eighteen applicants for the position, fifteen attended the interview, and score sheets were duly documented. The Council, within the scope of its lawful authority, has fulfilled its mandate with transparency and adherence to the University’s regulations. Supporting documents on the application and interview process are attached,” the university stated.
Anambra vs Ebonyi
To many watchers, the hullabaloo surrounding the appointment is as a result of perceived hatred Anambra people have for people from Ebonyi state, no matter how educated they may be.
Speaking with this reporter, a lecturer, Mrs. Rita Olisa, said those against Odoh’s appointment were just expressing displeasure “because he hails from Ebonyi state and not Anambra.”
She said, “It seems that people are making unverified allegations against the new VC. Nobody has stated in clear terms what he has done wrong. All the concerns raised and all the persons raising concerns are all because of his home state. If he was from Anambra, there certainly would not be any concern.
“You and I know how many Anambra landlords will reject a tenant because of his home state, irrespective of his job or educational qualification. This is the truth many will be shy to admit, but we know. The concerns against Odoh and the people raising them do so because of his home state. To them, how can one Abakaliki man be the VC in an Anambra university? We really have a major problem with ethnicity in this country.
“It is a shame that ethnicity, mediocrity and favouritism have found their ways into our universities. The process of electing a VC for universities is clear. I mean, this man has been teaching in the same UNIZIK and people didn’t complain about his suitability to teach and research. Now, they don’t want him to run the university because he’s from Abakaliki. This VC should be protected. These are desperate times.”
Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, a researcher, Okoye Chigozie Francis, said Odoh would complete his tenure, despite the issue of ethnicity many people are bandying about.
“The Acting VC was to stay a period not more than 6 months. In other words, her successor was to emerge any time within 6 months. Those who indicated interest for the VC position were sent a circular for an interview and they all attended. Council was properly constituted and they took a decision, appointing Prof Benerd Odoh the new VC.
“No amount of opposition or campaign of calumny will stop Odoh from completing his tenure as the VC of UNIZIK, my Alma Mater. He is eminently qualified and his appointment was approved by the university Governing Council.
“Ebonyi state and Anambra are Umunne, that is brothers and sisters. The last Anambra born VC did not do well. Last non-Anambra-born VC, Prof Ahaneku, came out as the second best VC, after Prof Ilochi Okafor. So, let’s try another non-Anambra born VC. Anyone not satisfied with the process should go to court and not bring clannish sentiment to the appointment,” he said.
However, a civil servant, Nathaniel Ugochuckwu, alleged that due process was not followed in Odoh’s appointment.
He said, “If the coast was clear enough, Odoh would have been appointed at the council chamber or anywhere within the university premises. It raises dust that a university Don was appointed in a hotel. I have nothing against the said man, but gimmicks like this shouldn’t be found around our educational system.
“Due process was not followed at all. I work in Ebonyi State and I don’t have anything against Ebonyi people because they are nice people. But due process and rules of the process must be followed at all times in everything we do in this country.
“Odoh’s emergence is questioned only due to the process that produced him. Professor or not, he is very capable. I’ve read his profile and he’s indeed qualified. However, the right steps must be followed for the sake of posterity. This is an educational system, after all. You can’t undermine the system that shaped you.
“Was an interview carried out by the selection committee and if it was done, who and who participated in the interview before Odoh’s emergence? Does he have 10 years professorial residency as outlined in the Council’s advertisement? Let’s drop the idea of stereotyping and focus on the main issue under review. Nobody is asking where the professor is from.”
On her part, Mrs. Chinyere Ifeanyi, an alumnus of the school, said politics must be stepped down for the education of students and for the VC to enjoy his tenure.
She said, “I have nothing against this distinguished professor. However, I suggest that due process should be followed in everything. Prof Odoh has the vision and ability to transform the narrative and restore our school to its former glory.
“I will be thrilled to see Unizik ranked as the number one university in Africa, a goal he is fully capable of achieving. Let’s come together and support him as we look forward to great things ahead. I may not know Prof Odoh but I believe he is the type most needed for this job, having been groomed from the institution both as an undergraduate, postgraduate and a lecturer.
“A VC’s emergence is neither by selection, appointment nor election. Office of the VC is not a popularity contest. Instead, it is a more serious contest conducted under the purview of the governing Council, but with some set down extant laws of the university establishment act. The level of politics going on in the school is so worrisome. I hope they are putting more energy in lecturing students than they are politicking. It’s concerning to hear that politics is overshadowing academic focus in the school.”
‘Appointment’ll be reversed’
While fielding questions from this reporter, during his inaugural press briefing, the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, said Odoh’s appointment would be reviewed and reversed as UNIZIK management was not above the federal government and must obey laid down laws in its activities.
“It is the interest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure democracy. We want freedom in our tertiary institutions. However, institutions must follow laid down rules. We won’t allow a situation whereby an institution will ignore laid down rules. What is happening at UNIZIK will be reversed based on the consistency of our laws. No chairman of any council will make his own rules. Any anomaly that has happened at UNIZIK will be reversed. We won’t condone anomalies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Odoh assumed office on Tuesday, November 5, promising to ring changes in the institution. It remains to be seen how smooth his administration will be or if it will last long, especially with different groups and the federal government not supporting his appointment.
