From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, has disclosed that the prompt intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the crisis that engulfed the university over the appointment and eventual sack of a new Vice Chancellor and the dissolution of the governing council, brought renewed hope to the university.
Ikechebelu, speaking at the Council Chambers of the University on Monday during a maiden press conference with the university management team after his reinstatement as the Acting VC, described the events of the past few months in the university as “traumatic and challenging” but assured the global community that with his reinstatement in office, UNIZIK has returned to the path of peace and academic excellence.
He praised President Tinubu for his timely intervention, following due diligence and giving a listening ear to the voices of reason and also praised various arms of the government especially the education sector, particularly, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunde Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, the entire Ministry apparatus, the Permanent Secretary , the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission , Mr. Chris Maiyaki among others who played key roles and took prompt and decisive actions that actually restored sanity and ensured the university systems is sustained in UNIZIK .
Prof. Ikechebelu also praised the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for not relenting while the struggle lasted in informing the general public and the path they played in ensuring that the proper things are done and in sustaining the university culture in Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
He said his immediate task right now is to douse the tension, bring everybody together so as to operate as one family.
He noted that the university’s management has met and took far reaching resolutions to ensure that peace reigns and progress continues in the university.
He said the management is bringing back the university mantra of “Happy Productive Staff, Happy Progressive Students” while he is also bringing back his administrative mantra of “Blessed UNIZIK” mantra to energise the University through “Beautify UNIZIK”, “Light up UNIZIK”, “Excellent UNIZIK” “Safe and Secure UNIZIK” and finally “Digitize UNIZIK” and this will be followed with all zeal and commitment to ensure that it all comes on stream to ensure that the communication coming out from the university portrays actually what the university is known for.
The Acting Vice Chancellor said the university ranking will not only be sustained but shall be improved on tremendously.
He also gave hope to the number of unpaid staff that has lingered for some years assuring that immediate steps have been taken to absolve, and integrate them into the payment platforms which will come in batches.
Prof. Ikechebelu also also assured that the crisis now past will not in any way affect the reputation of the university and its webometric rankings and assured that nobody in the university will be victimized over what transpired during the crisis period.
“Now we are together again and everybody is rejoicing in the university, there is no victor nor vanquished, no victor nor looser. Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the Nigerian university system are the winner in all these. We shall follow up this system to ensure that no one is excluded. There will be no form of witch-hunting, vendetta or victimization of any individual.
“In all these, there will be fairness, justice and inclusivity in everything we are doing. When we do that, we shall have a happy and progressive staff and students. We shall try to recreate the atmosphere where innovation and research will thrive and from this day forward, the university stands with the federal government of Nigeria led by President Tinubu and we must pursue the missions and visions of the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that every Nigeria is protected and given the due benefit for your effort,” he stated.
Members of the University Management Team present during the briefing were the Acting Registrar, Mr. Victor Modebelu, Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Gerald Udigwe, Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Angela Ufele-Obiesie, University Librarian, Prof Stella Anasi , Bursar, Mr Gozie Egwuatu, Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor on Academic Matters, Prof. F.J. C. Odibo, Provost, College of Post Graduate Studies, Prof. Philomina Igbokwe. Others included Dean of Students Affairs, Prof Makodi-Bierenu Nnabugwu, Chief Legal officer, Prof. Meshack Umenweke, Head of Procurement, Arc. Damian Oduche, Directors of Medical Services Prof. Lasbery Asomugha, Internal Audit, Works, Physical Planning, among others.