The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik), Amb. Greg Mbadiwe has cleared the air on the recent removal of Prof Joe Ikechebelu as acting vice-chancellor.
Nigerian Tribune had earlier reported that the council had last weekend removed Ikechebelu and installed Prof Carol Umobi as acting vice-chancellor.
The move had been greeted with protests, as some Senate members opposed the appointment, while student unions in the university also protested.
But Mbadiwe in a press statement said Ikechebelu was never an acting vice-chancellor, but just an overseer, who was handed over at the retirement of former Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone.
The statement by Mbadiwe read: “I write to address the recent misinformation circulating regarding the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“Professor Joseph Ikechebelu was never appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor by the Council. He merely oversaw the office temporarily following NUC directives, pending Council’s inauguration,
“The Council, in response to ASUU NAU’s appeal, directed the nomination of former Deputy Vice-Chancellors aged 65-70 for the Acting Chancellor position. Despite Council’s directive, there was reluctance to convene an emergency Senate meeting.
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“Concerned Senators of the University, numbering over 35, acting on The Doctrine of Necessity, convened an emergency Senate meeting and forwarded two names of former Deputy Vice-chancellors to the Council. The Senate took this action to avoid a constitutional logjam and to prevent the university from eminent anarchy and collapse.
“The Council has appointed Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as the new Acting Vice-Chancellor, We expect Professor Ikechebelu to hand over officially to Professor Arinze Umobi immediately. Failure to do so will be considered an act of insubordination.
“The Council is aware of the court challenge regarding the involvement of dissolved 9th Council internal members and has advised them to step aside pending the courts decision. We assure all stakeholders that the Council’s actions are in the best interest of the university’s growth and development. The Council will address any acts of insubordination in its Next meeting.
“We remain committed to ensuring peace, sanity, and progress at Nnamdi Aziktwe University,” Mbadiwe said.
