By Ayo Kehinde
Sacked vice-chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, Professor Bernard Odoh, says he was not appointed vice-chancellor through a press release, and cannot be removed through one.
Prof. Odoh spoke on Thursday when he featured on Arise TV.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had Wednesday, approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of UNIZIK, and the removal of Prof. Odoh, the new Vice Chancellor, and Mrs Rosemary Nwokike, the Registrar.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the decision followed reports that the governing council and officials illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.
“After the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the 33-year-old institution. The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process”, the statement explained.
Earlier, authorities at Federal University, Gusau, clarified that Odoh was actually appointed as a professor in Geological Sciences at the university on October 1, 2015.
A certified true copy of the appointment letter dated November 8, 2024, signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council of Federal University Gusau, Ibrahim B. Kaura (who was the pioneer Registrar of the University from 2013-2018), confirming the professorship, was made available to newsmen on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the university management, having received favourable assessment reports from three assessors, approved that Odoh should be promoted to the post of Professor in Geological Sciences on CONUAS Step 1, effective from October 1, 2015.
Speaking Thursday on his removal by the president, Odoh said President Tinubu was ill-advised and, therefore, was wrong to have sacked him as
He said: “I’m qualified for this position. Three assessors assessed me. I became a professor on October 1, 2015. I applied for the position. I applied and was appointed.
“I’m not imposing myself on the institution. But the issue of not being a professor is all lies. People paid to remove my records from a university.
“I’m not disobeying Mr. President, but it is the governing council that will recommend my sack. The minister (Tunji Alausa) jumped the gun. The court has not ruled on this matter. I cannot be removed through a press release.
“There was no panel of inquiry. I was not appointed through a press release. The visitor (Tinubu) has not invited me to hear my side of the story. I’m from Ebonyi state. We are regarded as third class people. People feel I’m not qualified because I come from Ebonyi state.
“I am going to the university to ensure that activities and accreditation go on. No vice-chancellor, no registrar, no governing council?
“Mr. President must have been ill-advised. He can remove me but only through the council.”
