By Jude Michael
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, has been announced to oversee the office of the Vice-Chancellor as Prof Charles Esimone’s tenure ends today.
Esimone became the Vice Chancellor of the University about this time five years ago.
Having served out his five-year tenure, it only became natural that his deputy should take over pending the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor in due course.
The announcement for Ikechebelu to take over was made at the special Senate meeting held at the University Auditorium, June 3, 2024.
Prof Ikechebelu, being the only Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the institution, was announced in accordance with the NUC’s circular to Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities recently.
The NUC circular dated May 28, 2024, titled, “Re: End of Tenure of some Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities,” directs outgoing Vice-Chancellors to nominate a Deputy Vice-Chancellor as recommended by their Senate, to temporarily oversee the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Esimone was scheduled to officially hand over to Prof Ikechebelu later on June 3 as Acting Vice-Chancellor.
Fielding questions from journalists, Ikechebelu promised that there would be a new dimension in the administration of the institution.
He said there would be a defined pathway of excellence in steering the wheels of the institution in areas such as lighting up UNIZIK, addressing insecurity, digitalizing of the institution and beautification of the institution.
He promised that efforts would be made to tackle the power challenge as a matter of necessity, adding that his administration would come up with a programme aimed at securing the institution while also promising that the digitalization of the institution would transit from the point of admission to graduation for the students of the institution, right to the point of collection of transcripts.
He also affirmed that one attribute of a good institution was in its ambiance, which, he said, would propel the beautification of the institution.
Ikechebelu has a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in the University since 2008. His research has distinguished him as a renowned fertility expert and Gynaecological endoscopic surgeon.
