ASUU Rejects Appointment of Odo as New VC of UNIZIK

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

As controversy over the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka festers, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the appointment of a Vice Chancellor and Registrar for the University by the Governing Council.

Besides alleging that the new Vice Chancellor, Dr Bernard Odoh did not meet the criteria for the job, ASUU accused the Governing Council of not adhering strictly to the laws and laid down procedures for the appointments.
The union warned that it will resist any form of violation of due process in the appointment of the new man at the helm of affairs at the university.

It urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene as the Visitor to the university to restore sanity and pull the institution out of looming crisis.

A statement signed by ASUU president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke said that the union has observed obvious abuses and breaches of the extant laws and procedures in the purported appointment of Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the University by the Governing Council in total disregard for the advertised eligibility criteria for the position of a Vice Chancellor of NAU.
ASUU said that it viewed the dictatorial and repressive actions of the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council as an act of lawlessness and impunity which the President must do something to checkmate.

It described the appointment of Dr. Odoh as Vice Chancellor and Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike as Registrar as a huge joke and a mockery of the academia.

According to ASUU, “NEC resolved that the appointment of Dr. Benard Odoh, the purported “Vice Chancellor and Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike, the purported “Registrar” cannot stand.

“Consequently, ASUU calls on the Visitor and President of the Federal Republic to urgently intervene to redirect the University on the path of law and order.

“For the avoidance of doubt, ASUU like many other stakeholders at NAU, does not have confidence in the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council of NAU.”

ASUU further vowed to resist any further act of impunity, lawlessness, violation of in office by these imposed individuals, adding that they constitute a deliberate act of provocation.

The union said that it’s National Executive Council (NEC) met on 8th -9th November, 2024 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 the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, over the appointment of Vice Chancellor and Registrar for the University.

ASUU expressed shock that Dr. Benard Odoh, who from all available evidence is not a full professor, was purportedly appointed the Vice Chancellor in disregard of the advertised eligibility criteria for the position of a Vice-Chancellor of Chancellor of NAU.