…ASUU-NAU Kicks
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Professor Ifeanyi Benard 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 disclosed that Odoh scored the 1st position from the pool of the applicants for the plum job of the University Chief Executive based on his evidence- based significant experience in University Teaching, Research and Administration.
Amb. Mbadiwe while handing over the appointment letter to Prof. Odoh said the appointment is 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 Ozumba 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 Oct. 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 Nnamdi Azikiwe University Confucius Institute and also Member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Admission and Examination Monitoring Committee.
The Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka , led by the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe has appointed Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University.
Odoh, a Professor of Geophysics is of the Department of Applied Geophysics, Faculty of Physical Sciences of the University.
Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNIZIK Branch (ASUU-NAU) led by Professor Kingsley Ubaoji, earlier today 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 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 the University Education in Nigeria. These people are not bothered at all. They using the taxpayers 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 for to and fro Abuja. You can imagine what we are suffering. I was schooled in Netherlands, Bangkok and other places I know how 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 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 motorparks 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 to watch our Universities being desecrated by these people who care less about the survival and existence of the Ivory tower,’ Professor Ubaoji concluded.