Breaking: Federal Ministry of Education declares the appointment of Dr. Ifeanyi Odoh as UNIZIK VC is ‘Null and Void’
By Onome Naomi
Amid the ensuing battle of the vice chancellor ship crisis in UNIZIK, the Federal Ministry of Education has declared the appointment of Dr. Ifeanyi Bernard Odoh null and void following certain policies violated and the unrest created before and after Odoh’s knavish installation.
The letter sent to the leadership of UNIZIK on November 1, 2024, states that:
“Sequel to the meeting with the Honourable Minister of State for Education (HMSE) held on Friday, 25th October, 2024, it was formally agreed that no appointments should be carried out by your Council without reconciling with the aggrieved parties in the University Community.”
“It has come to the attention of the Ministry that your Council has gone ahead to appoint a Vice Chancellor for the University without the Representative of the Ministry, the internal council members, and other stakeholders on Tuesday, 29th October, 2024. This is a gross disregard for constituted authority and is not in line with existing provisions.”
“Against this backdrop, I am directed to inform you that all appointments made so far are null and void. You are therefore requested to put on hold all other appointments in the university pending the assumption on duty of the new Honourable Minister of Education.”
“Please accept the assurances of the esteemed regards and considerations of the Permanent Secretary of Education.”
To this regard, the aggrieved parties of the university community are expecting that Amb. Greg Ozuomba Mbadiwe, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, who appointed Dr. Ifeanyi Bernard Odoh as the official Vice Chancellor of the citadel of education on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, will fix his errors and comply with the demands of the Federal Ministry of Education.
It should also be noted that Dr. Ifeanyi Odoh’s appointment was carried out amid legal actions brought by roughly three professional associations in the country’s competent courts: the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIZIK Chapter; and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Nnewi Branch.