UNIZIK new VC, Ahaneku receives appointment letter, Pledges to move institution to greater heights

The newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Joseph Ahaneku has been issued a letter of appointment by the governing council of the institution, amidst protest by one of his closest rival, Prof Greg Nwakoby. The spokesperson of the institution, and Director of Information, Mr Emma Ojukwu disclosed this yesterday at a press briefing in Awka. Ojukwu who spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the governing council of the university, Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan said the issuance of the letter followed the successful emergence of Ahaneku as the new Vice Chancellor after a rigorous selection process that ended in election. Ojukwu dismissed allegations that the chairman of the council demanded gratification from him after he was adjudged to have scored the highest mark in the interview segment of the process. He said that Nwakoby only scored highest in the interview segment out of five other segments that constitute the process of selecting a vice chancellor. “He intentionally leaked the result of that segment to the press and started shouting of bias when it dawned on him that he may not win the race. There are several other segments, suppose the candidates that scored highest in teach segment went to the press to say they won, there would have been anarchy. I want to state categorically clear that the allegations of bias, demand of bribe and others are very baseless, malicious and false. The chairman of the university governing council board is a man of integrity who can not be influenced in anyway.” Ojukwu said. Meanwhile, the leadership of the academic staff Union of Universities, Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter, led by Prof Ike Odimegwu has paid a courtesy call to the new vice chancellor, pledging to work with him to move the institution forward. Odimegwu who spoke for the union during the call commended Ahaneku for his sterling performance and popularity among the voters, which won him the position of the Vice Chancellor above 34 other candidates that indicated interest. “We are here to show solidarity to the incoming Vice Chancellor for the safe conclusion of the process that led to his appointment as the VC. We want to assure you that our union is the only trade union that does not fight for the betterment of its members but for the enthronement of quality university education in Nigeria. “You have the challenge to correct the ills of our university system and to move this university to become the number one university in Nigeria, or at best to number two where we used to be. You must ensure that UNIZIK is an institution to be counted in African and even in the world. We will help you in this dream, but we will also fight you where you derail.” Odimegwu said. On his part, the new Vice Chancellor assured that he has come restore the glory of the university. He reminded that Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe whom the university is named after is known for excellence. He vowed to strive to keep the excellent spirit that is burning in the university. “Rt Hon Dr Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first president of Nigeria, so everything that is associated with him should be first. I will ensure that the university becomes the first in the country by restoring excellence in it,” he said. Ahaneku will officially resume work in office as the new Vice Chancellor on 4th June, as the current Vice Chancellor, Prof Boniface Egboka will leave on the 3rd. END.