…ASUU-NAU Kicks
By Jude Michael
Professor Ifeanyi Bernard Odoh, a Professor of Geophysics, on Tuesday, 29th October 2024, emerged as the seventh Substantive Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK.
Announcing the appointment in Awka after a rigorous selection process and interview of the 18 applicants for the position, the Pro-Chancellor, Amb Greg Mbadiwe, disclosed that Odoh secured the first position from the pool of the applicants for the plum job of the University Chief Executive, based on what he described as Odoh’s evidence-based significant experience in University Teaching, Research and Administration.
Amb. Mbadiwe, while handing over the appointment letter to Prof. Odoh, said the appointment was in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of First Schedule, Nnamdi Azikiwe Act CAP 139, LFN 2004 as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions, Amended) Act 2007.
‘Your Appointment is for a period of five years, effective, Tuesday, 29th October 2024. The terms and conditions of your appointment are as approved by the Federal Government for all Federal Universities,’ the letter stated.
Receiving his appointment from the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe, supported by the newly appointed Registrar, Barr. Rosemary Nwokike, Professor Odoh asked the Council to judge him by his performance, stating that he would not disappoint the University Community.
Prof. Odoh thanked members of the Governing Council and the Vice Chancellor’s Selection Team for finding him worthy for the important assignment. He promised not to let them down and to also work day and night to improve the University in all facets.
‘I’m the first alumni of this university to be appointed to this position. I have my first, second and third degrees here so I understand our challenges. Let me assure every one of us, I know there are prejudices and concerns but you are going to judge me by performances, not on hearsay. I will serve you well and our university will make progress,’ he said.
Born on 5th August 1975, Odoh hails from Ezza North LGA, Ebonyi State.
‘He was a member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Senate from 2010 to 2014 and also served as Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor (Academic Matters I)/Coordinator UTME Exercise, 10th June 2014 to October 2014. He was assessed and appointed as a Professor at Federal University Gusau, 2015.
‘Odoh, an Emeritus Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Ebonyi State, has over 120 research publications published in reputable International Journals, E-Books and Monographs to his credit.
He returned to Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2019 after resigning from his position as Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government.
He was a Board Member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Confucius Institute and also a member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Admission and Examination Monitoring Committee.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNIZIK Branch (ASUU-NAU), led by Professor Kingsley Ubaoji, earlier protested what they described as imposition of VC, saying that the process was hugely marred by irregularities and inexplicable actions, questioning the rationale behind going to a hotel to appoint a Vice Chancellor.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the protest, Professor Ubaoji faulted the whole process, describing it as a mere selection and undue interference from the external forces
The protestants who were seen carrying placards of various inscriptions like, “We will not accept a Vice Chancellor who emerged from a hotel’’, “This is pure selection not election”, jointly echoed their displeasure with the way and manner the exercise was conducted.
‘We are fighting for the survival of University Education in Nigeria. These people are not bothered at all. They are using the tax payers’ money to fly their children abroad. They don’t feel anything. Their children are not here, that is why they are bastardizing the system.
‘We are not even talking about our salaries; a Professor’s salary cannot even board a flight to and fro Abuja. You can imagine what we are suffering. I was schooled in the Netherlands, Bangkok and other places. I know how a University environment looks. No infrastructure, nothing from the government. What you see today in various universities are from TETFUND and NEEDS. Our Universities are truly in a shambles.
‘What we are fighting for is for our youths and children to have a conducive learning environment. We care so much about those we will hand over to tomorrow. University should be a breeding ground for well-mannered individuals who will contribute greatly to the development of the country and not when motor parks touts and urchins are churned out.
‘We are calling on the President of Nigeria, Alh. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene in this matter. We cannot continue watch our Universities being desecrated by these people who care less about the survival and existence of the Ivory tower,’ Professor Ubaoji concluded.
