NewStats: 3,261,743 , 8,174,990 topics. Date: Friday, 30 May 2025 at 11:21 AM 4l5v1n

Appointment Of Odoh As UNIZIK VC Lawful, Not Voided By FG - Media Aide Clarifies

By Wisdom Nwedene, Awka

The Social and Mainstream media platforms have been inundated with a letter purportedly emanating from the Federal Ministry of Education dated November 1st, 2024 and addressed to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe which claimed that the Ministry has voided the appointment of Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th Vice-Chancellor of the premier institution.

In a statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday night by Prof. Odoh's Media Aide, Charles Otu said the attention of the general public must be drawn first and foremost to the fact that Nigeria's extant laws clearly specified the roles of the Governing Council of a tertiary institution vis-a-vis those of the Visitor and the parent's Ministry of Education and in Nigeria, the university governing council plays a unique and critical role in istration and governance of universities.

He further said that it's the Governing Council of a tertiary institutionthat has been legally granted the authority to oversee the university's operations, including making key decisions about policies, finances, and appointments—such as choosing a vice-chancellor (VC).

He said this council is designed to function independently, separate from direct control by outside bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Education.

The statement reads ;

"Whereas, the University's Management whose duty it is to officially clarify the Ministry of Education on it's enquiries regarding the processes leading to the appointment of Odoh from among Fifteen out of Eighteen other candidates who applied for the same position has through the Registrar, R. I. Nwokike made thorough clarifications attached with facts of the processes and proceedings of the University's Senate and the Governing Council, including letters of invitation and actual representatives of appropriate authorities present during the October 29th 2024 interview and selection."

"Whereas also, the institution has rightly stated that all it's actions were informed and conforms with the statutory requirements set forth in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap 139 (as amended), LFN 2004. The Registrar who doubles as the Secretary to the Council had replied that the actions of the Council were in total conformity with the provisions of Section 6 (a) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Standing Orders of the Governing Council which stipulates that the quorum requirementse which mandates the presence of five , including at least one of the following: The Vice-Chancellor or his Deputy, one appointee of the Visitor and one appointee of the Senate."

"The Registrar had also in response to allegations of violations of due process clarified that due process was meticulously observed throughout the appointment for both the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar."

"For further clarification, the attention of the general public must be drawn first and foremost to the fact that our extant laws clearly specified the roles of the Governing Council of a tertiary institution vis-a-vis those of the Visitor and the parent's Ministry of Education. In Nigeria, the university governing council plays a unique and critical role in istration and governance of universities."

"It’s a special body that has been legally granted the authority to oversee the university's operations, including making key decisions about policies, finances, and appointments—such as choosing a vice-chancellor (VC). This council is designed to function independently, separate from direct control by outside bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Education."

"We must understand that under our existing law, the University Council is established to make decisions in the best interest of the University without external interference. Therefore, the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, also known as the Universities Autonomy Act No. 1, 2007, asserts this autonomy by stating that the council's powers shall be exercised as provided in the law and statutes of each university, and that establishment circulars inconsistent with these laws shall not apply to the universities."

"While the Ministry of Education oversees general educational standards across the nation, it does not have the legal power to direct or control the daily decisions of a university council, including who should be appointed as Vice-Chancellor. "

"Rather, the council works within a structure of university laws and rules that guide its decisions. It is therefore safe to conclude that the relationship between the University's Governing Council and the Ministry of Education is structured by law to be respectful, yet separate. Therefore, when the Council reaches a decision, such as appointing a new Vice-Chancellor (VC), (as it has done in the instant case of UNIZIK), it communicates this decision to the Ministry as a form of official notice. This is a requirement for transparency and coordination, not for approval or control."

"In this way, the council is maintaining its role as an autonomous governing body—a body that can make its own decisions free from outside orders.
This legal separation is important for a number of reasons. First, it allows the university to make choices based on what’s best for its students, staff, and academic goals."

"Second, it prevents political or outside influences from swaying important decisions about university governance. Autonomy in governance protects academic freedom, allowing universities to promote an environment where ideas can grow, research can advance, and students can learn without outside pressure."

"In short, Nigerian law recognizes university councils as autonomous bodies with the right to govern their institutions independently. While the Federal Ministry of Education has a general role in ing and guiding the education sector, it does not have authority over specific university decisions or appointments. This structure is designed to protect universities and ensure they are managed by those closest to their academic mission."

"By respecting these boundaries, Nigerian universities can operate effectively, making choices that best serve their communities while also upholding national educational standards. This balance of autonomy and oversight is crucial to a healthy and forward-looking educational system in Nigeria and that is exactly the broader goal and objectives pursued by the Council in the case of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka."

"It is therefore wisdom to urge of the discerning public to disregard in its entirety the news purporting the declaration of the actions of the UNIZIK Governing Council as null and void. Rather, in compliance with the recent circular of the Management of the institution which informed on it's website that a high Mass service shall be held on Tuesday as part of activities for the resumption of office of the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, of the public are cordially invited to witness the events marking the first day in office of the new Vice-Chancellor."



E-Signed:


*Charles O. Otu* ,
_Personal Assistant, Media and Publicity to Professor Benard Odoh_

Source : https://9newsng.com/appointment-of-odoh-as-unizik-vc-lawful-not-voided-by-fg-media-aide-clarifies/

Actuay a cross section of UNIZIK lecturers protest against Professor Ben Odoh from Ezza in Ebonyi state becoming Vice Chancellor of the university which is located at Anambra

Is like na court go decide

COMRADES are speechless

Great school

Government of confusion

All the comments on this thread are from the same person.

seguntijan:
Actuay a cross section of UNIZIK lecturers protest against Professor Ben Odoh from Ezza in Ebonyi state becoming Vice Chancellor of the university which is located at Anambra

He is not even a Professor, he is impersonating!! He will soon be arrested! Fraud is the past time of Ibos!!

Ojukwudfugutive:

He is not even a Professor, he is impersonating!! He will soon be arrested! Fraud is the past time of Ibos!!

That he is not a Professor? Kindly elaborate

Ojukwudfugutive:

He is not even a Professor, he is impersonating!! He will soon be arrested! Fraud is the past time of Ibos!!

Mumu man.

Ojukwudfugutive:

He is not even a Professor, he is impersonating!! He will soon be arrested! Fraud is the past time of Ibos!!

And you are very sure about that?

Wahala

Another fake prof with a spurious professorship awarded by a fly-by-night university

Just like that terrorist/cum former minster/cum Islamic cleric, "Patami"

mikkyangel3:
Another fake prof with a spurious professorship awarded by a fly-by-night university

Like that terrorist/cum former minster/cum Islamic clearic, Patami

Just like you are fake with empty brain

A man that was paid by IPPIS as a READER as at August 2024 is parading himself as a Professor.
A man that has been on Leave of Absence since 2014 fraudulently Promoted himself to the Rank of a Professor.

I challenge you the media aide to Dr Bernard Odoh to post his promotion letter as a Professor.
Summary: Dr Bernard Ifeanyichukwu Odoh is not qualified to become VC of a federal University.

The students of the the higher institution must be very elated by now.

Are there no set out guidelines for the appointment of VC? If he meets the requirements let him wear the cap- his state of origin is irrelevant, state of the head matters most.

Seun see what your forum has become.

See what you enable
SMH

CorrectionFLuid:
Seun see what your forum has become.

See what you enable
SMH

Around this time 10years ago, I started following nairaland as a guest and fast forward to 3yrs ago I ed. As the years went by, the forum kept losing its value. Now tribalism has taken over here.

It's a shame.

djon78:


I am from Anambra state and I don't this looking down on a fellow Igbo

We are one

It shouldn't be like that

Let our people sit this one out

Don't mind those trolls above. They are just claiming what doesn't exist. How can anybody be rejected as a VC of federal institution because of the person origin? Those trolls above are enemies of Igbo people and are seeking opportunity to type lies to create confusion. They're just propagandists. They even go yo Facebook, tiktok and other Social media and impersonate Igbo people using Igbo names to create tribal fights and extremism.

djon78:


I am from Anambra state and I don't this looking down on a fellow Igbo

We are one

It shouldn't be like that

Let our people sit this one out

Thank you so much djon78, this dick measuring is not necessary.

Chigreyce:
A man that was paid by IPPIS as a READER as at August 2024 is parading himself as a Professor.
A man that has been on Leave of Absence since 2014 fraudulently Promoted himself to the Rank of a Professor.

I challenge you the media aide to Dr Bernard Odoh to post his promotion letter as a Professor.
Summary: Dr Bernard Ifeanyichukwu Odoh is not qualified to become VC of a federal University.

In your delusional mind? Because he is from Ebonyi? Yet you stupidly accuse Yorubas of tribalism for voting TPain