Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, has threatened to sanction the former Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, if he fails to hand over to the new Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Carol Umobi immediately.
The warning was issued by the Pro-Chancellor, Amb. Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe, in a statement on Monday.
Recall that the council had last weekend removed Ikechebelu and installed Prof Carol Umobi as acting vice chancellor.
The move had been greeted with protests as some Senate members opposed the appointment, while the students union in the university also protested.
But Mbadiwe in the 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, Prof Charles Esimone, following NUC directives and pending Council’s inauguration.
Mbadiwe said despite Council’s directive to nominate former Deputy Vice-Chancellors aged 65-70 for the position, there was reluctance to convene an emergency Senate meeting.
According to him, concerned Senators of the university then took action and appointed Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi as the new Acting Vice-Chancellor.
He said the Council expects Ikechebelu to officially hand over to Prof Arinze-Umobi immediately, and that failure to do so will be considered insubordination.
He reassured stakeholders that their actions are in the best interest of the university’s growth and development, adding that they remain committed to ensuring peace, sanity, and progress at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
The Statement reads in full: “CLARIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF ACTING VICE-CHANCELLOR AT NAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
“Dear Esteemed Stakeholders,
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 NUC directives, pending Council’s inauguration.
The Council, in response to ASUU NAU’s appeal, directed the nomination of former Deputy Vice-Chancellors aged 65-70 for the Acting Vice-Chancellor position.
Despite Council’s directive, there was reluctance to convene an emergency Senate meeting.
Concerned Senators of the University, numbering over 35, acting on The Doctrine of Necessity” convened an emergency Senate meeting and forwarded two names of former Deputy Vice-Chancellors to the Council.
The Senate took this action to avoid a constitutional logjam and to prevent the university from eminent anarchy and collapse.
The Council has 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 9th 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.”
HE Amb. Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe, MFR (Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council).”
