Tension as Unizik governing council meet over plans to remove acting vice chancellor, Ikechebelu
Education
By Ifeizu Joe
There is currently tension in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka as the governing council of the university meets to remove the acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Joe Ikechebelu.
Ikechebelu had two months ago been named the acting Vice Chancellor of the university, after the expiration of the tenure of the former VC, Prof Charles Esimone.
THE RAZOR gathered that the new chairman of the governing Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe had convened an emergency meeting of the council, intimating of the plan to remove Ikechebelu as Vice Chancellor.
A memo from the university which was made available to this reporter stated that two professors of the university have been scheduled to replace Ikechebelu.
The professors are: Professor Carol Arinze-Umeobi and Professor F. J. C. Odibo.
It was learnt that the Mbadiwe led council had empowered a few professors in the university to hold the Senate meeting, and had penciled down the two professors, with the aim of removing Ikechebelu.
The memo read: “RESOLUTION OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF SENATE HELD ON 19™ JULY, 2024 AT THE UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM
“In response to the memo by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Goveming Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, titled “RE: APPOINTMENT OF ACTING VICE-CHANCELLOR” dated July 11, 2024, requesting the Secretary to Council to convey to the Senate the directive of the Governing Council to nominate and furnish the Council with the names of two (2) former Deputy Vice-Chancellors who are above 66 years but below 70 years for consideration for appointment to the position of Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the Senate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, in the Emergency Meeting of this day, Friday, July 19, 2024 nominated the following as the only two qualified candidates for Council consideration:
“(1) Professor Carol Arinze-Umeobi Date of birth: 7″ July, 1957 Retirement Date: 7” July, 2027
“(2) Professor F. J. C. Odibo Date of birth: 13 April, 1955 Retirement Date 13″ April, 2025,”
As at the time of filing this report, the entire administration building of the university has been militarized, as soldiers have overrun the space.
Meanwhile, members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have also mobilized in their numbers, in solidarity of the acting Vice Chancellor, Ikechebelu, who they adjudged as having integrity performing creditably since his appointment.
