Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji, chairperson of ASUU NAU UNIZIK, speaks on matters arising from the VCShip crisis and way forward
By Onome Naomi
The UNIZIK vice chancellorship crisis had been a bone of contention in the last few months following the appointment orchestrated by the Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor Amb. Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, who allotted the vice chancellorship in collaboration with directions from some higher-ups to Dr. Ifeanyi Odoh as against the UNIZIK community preference and selection committee’s most worthy candidate; Dr. Ifeanyi was labelled ‘unqualified’ for the position, leading to the termination of his appointment by the federal government and the repositioning of the acting VC, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, initially displaced.
In this regard, the publisher of NationGuardNews, Mr. Fidel Ozugha, had an online interview with Prof. Kingsley Ikechukwu Ubaoji, Professor of Biochemistry and Chairman of ASUU NAU UNIZIK Chapter, on Monday, December 9th, 2024, over matters arising after the UNIZiK VCShip crisis and the way forward.
On the UNIZIK vice chancellor saga
Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji noted that the crisis leading up to disagreements in the Unizik community stems from the noncompliance of the new governing council appointed by the federal government in taking heed of reservations spotted to have maligned the selection process of vice chancellorship, which is contrary to the level playing ground initially agreed upon, to ensure that everyone will be granted equal opportunity to participate in the screening process, not alienation of MDCAN members as seen thereafter.
According to Prof. Kingsley, things to note in the selection process gone south were obvious starting from when the advert for the vice ship reached the public; the signature appended was that of the vice chancellor in place of the acting registrar. The council complained but was ignored; two days after, another advertorial campaign was released, and the council complained about the danger in the first advert, noting three sensitive pieces of information. The variance is imminent if compared with advertorials from other institutions.
He went on to say that;
“The first discovery is the disparity in the variation in grants: the advert carries a N400 million grant. While it’s good to seek a grant, it is also important to consider the present situation in Nigeria and all other factors.”
“Secondly, the advert describing Dr. Ifeanyi Odoh’s qualifications states that he has served 15 years having bagged a post-PhD; this means that having served in that capacity will automatically knock out all professors in the medical sector who have not gotten their PhD; meanwhile, the academic progression in UNIZIK in line with the condition of service recognizes and states that candidates must have a PhD or its equivalent.”
“Thirdly, there is no administrative experience; this is what is called cognate experience. The moment it was discovered that these three factors were not properly put in perspective, the attention of the council was drawn to the irregularities, but they were not willing to look at it.”
“Then ASUU held an internal council election, had a senate meeting, and a senate rep in the selection and search team was elected as directed. The senate then disagreed with the council and insisted on a review of the first advert that was published before the selection can go on, but was bluffed. The advert was not reviewed; instead, the council began enlisting their choice of persons and published those names as members of the Senate of the search team and selection committee.”
“The realization that the situation had gone awry resorted to a court redress. ASUU took the UNIZIK selection council to court while soliciting the support of well-meaning Nigerians. The council had in mind that court verdicts take a long period of 5 to 10 years, and within this period, the rival council can appoint yet another vice chancellor, hence the push to often refer back to the court initially approached for intervention. The intervention of President Tinubu was timely to decipher the situation and ensure a resolution.”
As regards the current situation of UNIZIK since the resumption of the acting vice chancellor, Prof. Kingsley noted that the present vice chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, is ensuring that the university community is at peace despite the different opinions raised and the dent in image the school had to face in the last few months. There is a need to recreate the image of the institution by maintaining peace and positive reviews.
More so, it should be noted that the image infraction of recent times in UNIZIK does not denote the university’s mode of operation or integrity; it is the handiwork of an external force trying to damage the image of the university. The university community is formidable and will ensure unity prevails, he added.
He urges the general public to join hands to support the rebuilding of the dented image of UNIZIK, appraised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention. Also advised the opposing sides to see the situation as a win-win for unity will conquer the intrusion of extra forces whose sole aim is to cause division. The university’s motto, ‘self-reliance,’ stands as a watchword in reminder that we need to rely on ourselves to get as far as we can.
Note to readers:
Prof. Kingsley Ikechukwu Ubaoji is a professor of biochemistry at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and currently the ASUU NAU chairperson of the union.
He is a motivational speaker, a youth builder/mentor to many young people, and a lover of equity and fair play. He is a born leader, well published, and has traveled around the world. An advocate of good governance and preaches that until the right thing is done, the things we do not take care of today will torment us tomorrow.
The current acting VC in UNIZIK is Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, who was removed from the position by the chairman of the governing council and pro-chancellor, Amb. Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe.
The Minister of Education dissolved the council and sacked Dr. Bernard Ifeanyichukwu Odoh, who claimed that he is a professor. The registrar of the university was also sacked along.
