Matters Arising From the UNIZIK Vice Chancellorship Crisis
By Onome Naomi
Dr. Ifeanyi Bernard Odoh was named the official Vice Chancellor of the citadel of education on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, by Amb. Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka.
This was carried out amid legal actions brought by roughly three professional associations in the country’s competent courts: the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIZIK Chapter; and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Nnewi Branch.
This indicates that the blessings required for Dr. Odoh’s rapid climb were not bestowed at his “election” or “selection” into the esteemed position. For example, MDCAN is set up for conflict because its eligible members were denied the right to vote and subjected to discrimination. The case is still pending. Dr. Odoh was created in a poisonous, hostile, and discordant setting as UNIZIK VC.
The past events leading to the current situation at the institution will be recalled. Upon the conclusion of Professor Charles Esimone’s term as the immediate past VC, he appointed Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, DVC (Administration), after a fair election and approval process by UNIZIK Senators. This complied with the guidelines set forth by the Federal Ministry of Education and the University Act.
The then Federal Minister of Education, however, did not issue a letter of appointment to Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu in the absence of a UNIZIK Governing Council, either by act of commission or omission.
Knowing full well that the acting position would end in six months and a full-fledged VC would be elected, Amb. Mbadiwe, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, dismissed the current Acting VC instead of providing him with a confirmatory letter when the Governing Council was established. This act of impunity is quickly becoming the norm in the nation.
Therefore, Amb. Mbadiwe replaced Prof. Ikechebelu with Prof. Carol Arinze-Umeobi in a humorous, shameful, disparaging, and contentious way, enforcing his authority as the Pro-Chancellor and upsetting the calm and harmony that prevailed in the academic community.
The letter of her appointment was reported to have been handed over to her at the parking lot in front of the University’s Administrative Block. This provoked and spurred the Students Union Government (SUG) to hold a demonstration.
Although it was done correctly, the procedure was incorrect. From then on, intrigues, manipulation, discrimination, and maneuverings became the norm in the process of choosing or appointing a VC for UNIZIK until Dr. Odoh was announced as the organization’s substantive VC.
Dr. Odoh works as a university employee and is a reader. In addition to never having been a department head, faculty dean, director, provost, or DVC, he has never achieved the status of professor.
This desperation provided justification for the discrimination against some candidates for the same position, which was reported in an editorial on page 33 of the Vanguard newspaper on Thursday, September 12, 2024, to discourage prospective candidates from running for office. The unpopular Vanguard publication’s content sparked outcries, abuses, condemnations, and other harsh comments.
Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), one of the group of professionals who’s members were discriminated against, went to court seeking redress to claim her right. Association of Senior Staff of Universities, ASSU, protested to express their grievances. The university environment in recent times appears unfriendly, engulfed with toxicity.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Odoh proudly stated that he is the first UNIZIK alumnus to reach that great height, having earned his Ph.D., first and second degrees, and other degrees from the university. Similarly, Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, the previous director of UNIZIK Business School, congratulated the controversially elected VC and took satisfaction in becoming “the first alumnus (of UNIZIK) to hold this prestigious position.”
Contrary to this assertion, and as if in response to Prof. Onyeizugbe’s stand point, Prof. P. I. Okafor asked, “Is being an alumnus of UNIZIK one of the conditions/qualifications? Are we extrapolating the spirit of ’emilokan’ into the university?, he further inquired.”Are we telling the non-alumni professors to go to hell? Shouldn’t we be bothered about the flouted due processes and obvious impunity in disregarding all protestations against this selection process?
Any research undertaking that begins with preconceived notions is tantamount to academic irresponsibility. Every condition included in the advertisement was modeled to fit a specific outcome, and the outcome of this VC selection was known and predetermined. Plagiarism is evident in this. The anticipated response to the protests will be “Go to court.”
