Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe Clarifies Misinformation Surrounding Acting Vice-Chancellor Appointment at UNIZIK
The Pro-Chancellor emphasized that Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu was never formally appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor by the Council. Instead, Prof. Ikechebelu had temporarily overseen the office based on directives from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
![Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe Clarifies Misinformation Surrounding Acting Vice-Chancellor Appointment at UNIZIK](https://myschoolnews.ng/uploads/images/202405/image_750x_6655affec9b40.jpg)
Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), has issued a statement to address recent misinformation regarding the removal of Prof. Joe Ikechebelu as Acting Vice-Chancellor. In his statement, Ambassador Mbadiwe aimed to clarify the circumstances surrounding the appointment and subsequent actions taken by the university's governing bodies.
RECOMMENDED: UNIZIK Governing Council Removes Prof. Joe Ikechebelu as Acting Vice Chancellor
"I write to address the recent misinformation circulating regarding the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka," Ambassador Mbadiwe's statement began, seeking to dispel confusion over the leadership transition.
The Pro-Chancellor emphasized that Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu was never formally appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor by the Council. Instead, Prof. Ikechebelu had temporarily overseen the office based on directives from the National Universities Commission (NUC), pending the formal inauguration of the Council.
SUGGESTED: Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi Appointed Acting Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Ambassador Mbadiwe further elaborated on the Council's response to appeals from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at UNIZIK. He disclosed that the Council had directed the nomination of former Deputy Vice-Chancellors aged between 65 and 70 years for the Acting Vice-Chancellor position. However, there was purported reluctance to convene an emergency Senate meeting to formalize these nominations.
SEE ALSO: UNIZIK Appointment of Acting Vice-Chancellor Brings Tension and Controversy
"In response to this situation, concerned Senators of the University, numbering over 35, invoked The Doctrine of Necessity to convene an emergency Senate meeting," Ambassador Mbadiwe explained. This emergency meeting led to the Senate forwarding the names of two former Deputy Vice-Chancellors to the Council, aiming to prevent potential constitutional challenges and uphold university governance.
ALSO READ: UNIZIK Students Association Celebrates Induction of 100 Level Students
"The Senate took this action to avoid a constitutional logjam and to prevent the university from facing imminent anarchy and collapse," Ambassador Mbadiwe emphasized, highlighting the critical nature of the Senate's intervention in maintaining institutional stability.