Group Declares Support for Newly Appointed UNIBEN VC, Prof. Edoba

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City 

A group with the name, Congress of University Academics (CONUA) University of Benin chapter, yesterday, said its members are ready to work with the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Omoregie Edoba, SAN, to achieve his dream for the institution.

The chairperson of the Academic Union, Comrade Ishaq Osagie-Eweka, disclosed this in a statement signed on behalf of the body and made available to journalists in Benin City 

He said Prof. Edoba’s appointment as the 11th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Ivory tower is a testament of his tenacity and commitment to excellence.

Osagie-Eweka further expressed that the new Vice Chancellor came on high hopes as a humane gentleman, with sterling academic qualities and rare attributes of probity and rectitude; to step up the game to taking the University of Benin to its most prestigious place of pride.

The CONUA’s chairperson added that the union is proud of his academic exploits and will be readily available to work with him.

“Accept our hearty Congratulations; as we look forward to partnering with your administration to ensure the University of Benin enjoys development and uninterrupted academic calendars during your tenure and beyond,” Osagie-Eweka said.

UNIZIK Crisis: VC Urges Aggrieved Members to Join Him to Move Varsity Forward

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka 

The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Bernard Odoh, has urged members of the institution to join him to move the university forward.

The university has been embroiled in crisis for months over the position of vice chancellor.

Odoh, a professor of Applied Geophysics from the university was about a month ago appointed as the vice chancellor after a rigorous interview by the Governing Council.

There had been protests about his appointment, with some members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) questioning his educational qualifications and ascension to the cadre of professor.

But the Vice Chancellor in a press conference in Awka yesterday, called on all those opposing his leadership to rather join him, saying there cannot be any meaningful development in university community in the absence of peace.

Mr. Charles Otu, Personal Assistant on Media to the Vice Chancellor, who spoke on his behalf clarified that some allegations levelled against Odoh were false.

He said: “The race for the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor was concluded on October 29, 2024, with Prof. Odoh emerging on top with 90 points.

“A National Industrial Court in Awka validated the Governing Council’s scoring templates, and the Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council ensured fair hearing, responding to the Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria’s concerns.

“Prof. Odoh boasts an impressive academic background, having obtained his Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences in 1999, Master of Science in Applied Geophysics, and Doctorate in Applied Geophysics from NAU in 2008.

“He also served as a visiting Professor of Geophysics at Federal University Gusau in 2014 and became a full Professor of Applied Geophysics in 2015,” Otu said

He urged the media to cross-check facts before publishing, describing  Prof. Odoh as a pragmatically ambitious individual who prioritises the public’s best interest.

Otu said what was most important was that Odoh has a blueprint to develop the university, just as he has marshaled out his plan for the university in the next five years.