The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra State, seems to be heading to chaos following the sacking of its Vice Chancellor, Joseph Ikechebelu.
This is even as the university later made another announcement of not sacking the VC.
IVNTV NEWS gathered UNIZIK’s Governing Council, on Saturday, announced the sack of Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the sack was announced through a letter signed by the pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Council, Gregory Mbadiwe.
“Mbadiwe, in the letter, also announced the appointment of Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi, as a new acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution.
“No reason was given for the sack of Prof. Ikechebelu, who was reportedly appointed into the position in early June. He was appointed to replace Professor Charles Esimone, whose tenure expired on June 3.
However, things took a turn as the university management dismissed the sack Prof Ikechebelu, as its acting Vice-Chancellor.
This was contained in a statement issued later on Saturday, by the University’s Acting Registrar, Samuel Ufor.
The statement according to Ufor, stated that contrary to reports, the meeting of the Governing Council members ended in a stalemate.
“Although Mbadiwe claimed the letter emanated from the University Senate and was signed by 24 of its members, internal members of the Council objected to the letter,” Ufor said.
The Acting Registrar explained that the internal Council members objected to the letter because the Senate was yet to hold its meeting as of Saturday. And therefore, could not have authored the letter.
Ufor pointed out that the Senate meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, 24 July.
“The controversy that emanated from the purported letter resulted in the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of the Council and external members of the council walking out of the meeting.”
“The meeting, thus, ended without a decision and status quo ante retained,” Ufor stated.
However, PREMIUM TIMES reports that the sacking of university’s management said the sacking of Ikechebelu stands.
When contacted on Sunday afternoon, the university spokesperson, Emmanuel Ojukwu, refuted claims by the institution’s registrar, PREMIUM TIMES reported.
According to Ojukwu, Prof Ikechebelu was never appointed acting Vice-Chancellor of the university.
The spokesperson recalled that the Nigerian Government asked Vice-Chancellors of all Federal Universities to hand over to the most senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor upon expiration of their tenures. This is pending election of substantive Vice-Chancellors in their institutions.
According to Ojukwu, like other universities, the then Vice-Chancellor handed over to Prof Ikechebelu to “be overseeing the university”. That was pending ratification by the institution’s Governing Council. Given that he (Ikechebelu) was the only Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the institution.
The spokesman said the Federal Government subsequently, appointed some individuals as members of the University’s Governing Council. Which was not in existence before in the institution.
“The Council met last Saturday and appointed Prof Arinze-Umobi as the acting Vice-Chancellor. This is rather than “ratifying” Prof Ikechebelu as the acting Vice Chancellor,” Ojukwu said.
He explained that Ikechebelu was not ratified as acting Vice-Chancellor because he had indicated interest in contesting the Vice-Chancellorship position.
The spokesman added that the Council agreed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. The union had written to them stating that it would be unfair to confirm Ikechebelu as acting Vice-Chancellor even as an aspirant for the same position.
“This is because he (Ikechebelu) will have an advantage over other contestants,” Ojukwu stressed.
“The Council explained that they did not appoint him in order to allow a level playing ground for Vice-Chancellorship election.”
Ojukwu also refuted claims that internal members objected to the Council’s letter. He explained that some members of the Council who had served in the 9th Senate only contended to be part of the 10th Senate. This is despite ongoing litigation against it.
The spokesman further added it was unfortunate that some persons had decided to blackmail the Governing Council. This is because of an unfavourable decision.
He, therefore argued that statements issued by the Registrar cannot represent the position of the University.
“The reason is that the Registrar is the Secretary of the Senate and Secretary to the Council. So, on whose authority has he written? This is partisanship,” Ojukwu stated.
source: Premium Times
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