UNIZIK governing council clears air on removal of former acting VC, Ikechebelu, says he was only overseer

THE pro-chancellor and chairman, Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Mr Greg Mbadiwe, has cleared the air on the recent removal of Professor Joe Ikechebelu as acting vice chancellor.

Nigerian Tribune had earlier reported that the council had recently removed Ikechebelu and installed Professor Carol Umobi as the acting vice chancellor of the institution.

The move had been greeted with protests, as some Senate members opposed the appointment, while the Students Union also protested on the campus.

However, 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, Professor 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 the NUC directives, pending the inauguration of the council.

“The council, in response to ASUU NAU’s appeal, directed the nomination of the former deputy vice chancellors aged between 65 and 70 for the acting capacity position. Despite the council’s directive, there was reluctance to convene an emergency Senate meeting.

“Concerned senators in the university, numbering over 35, acting on ‘The Doctrine of Necessity,’ convened an emergency Senate meeting and forwarded the names of the two former deputy vice chancellors to the council. The Senate took this action to avoid a constitutional logjam and to prevent the university from imminent anarchy and collapse.

“The council has then 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 ninth council internal members and has advised them to step aside pending the court’s 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 Azikiwe University,” Mbadiwe said.

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