Eastern Palm University: Uzodimma sacks VC, names replacement

The crisis rocking the Eastern Palm University, renamed Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Ogboko, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, worsened on Wednesday with the sack of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Tola Badejo.

Badejo was appointed by former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

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Uzodimma has equally named Prof Ikechukwu Nosike Dozie as the acting VC.

Okorocha is having a running battle with the Imo State Government over the ownership of the university.

The crisis had led to the closure of the institution by Okorocha, but Uzodimma had reversed the decision, saying that the university was licensed as the second university in the state.

Okorocha, on the other hand, is claiming that the university was established under a Public-Private Partnership between the state and Rochas Foundation, with the latter having 90 per cent and the former 10.

The appointment, according to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bertrand Ikegwuoha, is with immediate effect.

Dozie is a professor of Microbiology at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).

Ikegwuoha said that with the appointment of Prof Dozie, “The former Vice Chancellor, Prof Tola Badejo, has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.”

“This is sequel to the former Vice Chancellor’s unauthorised announcement, illegally suspending academic activities in the university for the 2020/2021 academic year.

“All students and staff of the University are consequently advised to disregard the unauthorised announcement of the former Vice Chancellor and return to normal academic and administrative life without delay,” Prof. Ikegwuoha added.

About Prof Dozie

Born March 3, 1966, in Umuokazi Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Dozie was one of the contenders for the office of the Vice Chancellor of FUTO which was filled recently.

Prof. Dozie holds a BSc combined honours in Microbiology/Biochemistry and an MSc Medical Microbiology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a PhD in Public Health Parasitology from the University of Jos.

Until his appointment, Dozie is a public health scientist, teacher and community health specialist currently serving at the Department of Public Health , Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.