The media had reported that President Bola Tinubu approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the University and the removal of Odoh and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, as the VC and registrar respectively.
The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have reinstated Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution with immediate effect.
This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations/Protocol Officer of the university, Njelita Louis, on Thursday.
The media had reported that President Bola Tinubu approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the University and the removal of Odoh and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, as the VC and registrar respectively.
The council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, had included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, and Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the university PRO, Louis explained that the decision followed the nullification of Prof. Bernard Odoh’s appointment as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was deemed illegal.
He added that Prof. Ikechebelu has been directed to assume full administrative responsibilities for the university immediately.
Additionally, Mr. Victor Modebelu has been appointed Acting Registrar, following the nullification of Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike’s appointment as the substantive Registrar.
The statement read: “This is to inform the Nnamdi Azikiwe University community and the general public that, in accordance with the directives of the Honourable Minister of Education and the approval of President Bola Tinubu, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu has been reinstated as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with immediate effect.
“This decision follows the nullification of the appointment of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was deemed illegally executed by the now-dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university.
“The reinstatement of Prof. Ikechebelu is outlined in the Federal Ministry of Education correspondence, Ref: FME/HE/CU/82°/1/308, dated 20th November 2024, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.”
The statement further noted that Ikechebelu has been instructed to assume full administrative duties, with any matters requiring the approval of the governing council to be referred to the Minister of Education until a new council is reconstituted by President Tinubu.
In a similar vein, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the reinstatement of Mr. Victor Ikechukwu Modebelu as Acting Registrar, following the nullification of Barr. Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike’s appointment as substantive registrar. Like the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment, Nwokike’s appointment was deemed illegal by the dissolved 10th Governing Council.
The university community has been urged to offer full support and cooperation to the reinstated Acting Vice-Chancellor and Acting Registrar as they lead the institution in fulfilling its academic and administrative mandate.
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