By Gami Tadanyigbe
The National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the Federal Government to address the lingering crisis at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and redirect the University to the path of order.
In a statement signed by the national president, ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, the union condemned the appointment of one Dr Benard Odoh, as Vice-Chancellor of the University, adding that from all available evidence, Odoh is not a Full Professor.
ASUU-NEC said that there were obvious abuses and breaches of the extant laws and procedures in the purported appointment of the registrar, Mrs Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike.
For some days now, there has been industrial action in NAU to protest the alleged irregularities in the appointment of NAU VC
According to the statement, the union noted with grave concern the reported exclusion of internal members of the Council in the appointment proceedings as well as the utter disregard for the participation of the Senate in the nomination of its representatives into the requisite.
“Arising from the discussion of the festering vice-chancellorship crisis at NAU, NEC noted the 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.
NEC expressed shock that Dr Benard Odoh, who from all available evidence is not a Full Professor, was purportedly appointed the Vice-Chancellor of NAU by the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council in total disregard for the advertised eligibility criteria for the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University,” the statement said.
It added that the National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities met on 8th – 9th November 2024 at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, and discussed burning issues affecting the country’s university system, including the imbroglio at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, over the appointment of Vice-Chancellor and Registrar for the University.
“NEC noted with grave concern the reported exclusion of internal members of Council in the appointment proceedings as well as the utter disregard for the participation of Senate in the nomination of its representatives into the requisite Committees for the selection processes as provided by the law of the University.
NEC further noted the appeals and interventions made without success by the University’s Chapter of ASUU, Senate of the University, Federal Ministry of Education and the Association of Medical and Dental Council to discourage Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council of NAU from the path of recklessness, lawlessness, and impunity in the appointment of substantive Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of NAU.”
The NEC maintained that the current crisis facing NAU stemmed from abuse of the procedures for the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor – including the advertisement, the search process, and the shortlisting and selection processes – by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University.
The statement added that ASUU viewed the dictatorial and repressive actions of the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council of NAU in the purported appointment of Dr Benard Odoh as
Vice Chancellor and Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike as Registrar is a huge joke and a mockery of the academia.
“We insist that the action of the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council has no place in the University Law and tradition; it must, Therefore, be addressed without delay.
“NEC resolved that the appointment of Dr Benard Odoh, the purported “Vice Chancellor” and Mrs Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike, the purported “Registrar” cannot stand, given its illegality and mockery of the university system.
The continued stay in office by these imposed individuals constitutes a deliberate act of provocation and invitation to anarchy at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka.”
It maintained that NEC resolved to resist any further act of impunity, lawlessness, violation of the rights of academics and acts of intimidation and witch-hunt by the pseudo authorities at NAU.
“Consequently, ASUU calls on the Visitor and President of the Federal Republic to urgently take concrete and decisive steps to restore law and order in NAU. For the avoidance of doubt, ASUU like many other stakeholders at NAU, does not have confidence in the Amb. Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council and the Visitor should urgently intervene to redirect the University on the path of order, law, and due process.”
