Unizik crisis gets messier as two VCs emerge

The leadership crisis rocking Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Anambra state is becoming messier as two Vice Chancellors have emerged.

Prof Joseph Ikechebelu has been acting VC until Saturday when the Amb Greg Mbadiwe-led council sacked him and installed Prof Carol Umobi as the Acting Vice Chancellor.

However, the management of the University rejected Umobi, saying there was no decision taken during the “failed council meeting”.

The university in a statement by its Registrar Samuel N. Ujoh said the status quo remains as the council meeting ended inconclusively.

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But the governing council insisted that Ikechebelu had been replaced with Umobi.

The council meeting held amid tight security at the administrative block of the University.

Security operatives who accompanied the Pro-Chancellor of the university and council members made attempt to enter the Senate chamber, but they were resisted.

Ikechebelu has been acting vice chancellor for about two months after taking over from Prof Charles Esimone.

While the crisis over VC raged, Mbadiwe wrote a letter congratulating Umobi on the appointment.

Mbadiwe said the appointment, which is for a period of six months, is in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of First Schedule, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act CAP 139, LFN 2004 as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amended) Act 2007.

According to him, the appointment is effective Monday, July 22, 2024, noting that “the terms and conditions of your appointment are approved by the Federal Government for all Federal Universities.”

He also informed that a copy of the letter of appointment had been forwarded to the Honourable Minister of Education for the information of the Visitor to the University.

When he inaugurated governing councils of tertiary institutions in Abuja two weeks ago, Prof Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, warned members of councils against undue interference in the human, financial and resource management of the institutions.