Cornucopia: Prof Ke, Prof Ni, As Unizik New VC Warms Up

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD

The HOD Mass Communication, Unizik, Awka, Prof. Cornelius Aghadiegwu Ukwueze was in Amanuke, Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State. He came with many members of staff of Mass Communication Department to celebrate with the Odogwus on their parents’ 47th wedding anniversary and Pa Odogwu at 80 years. I am grateful.
We had several professors in attendance including Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, Prof Allen Adum, Prof Chinwe Uzochukwu, Prof Emma Ezewaji, Prof Tony Nwokoye even our own Prof Innocent Okoye of COOUTH among others. Prof Uche Ebeze and Prof Ify Dunu came via Dr Uche Ekwugha. I shall revisit this!

Prof Kingsley Ubaoji, activist, chemist, farmer and ASSU NAU Chairperson nailed it on the head in his 2024 New Year message to academic staff of Nnamdi Azikwe University Awka when he said:What has human hatred done to us? They hated you, yet you are still surviving with not minding the hard feelings towards you….

He went further to encourage members of academic staff of Unizik to do all to please God and be happy, as according to him, ‘the rest is nothing but God’s design, not man’s. And he asked a thought provoking question: What has your being nice helped you to solve in your life and in your sphere of existence? He insisted that ASUU NAU must not be divided to beg, but united to bargain.

Remember he had formed a committee on “nkuli asili”, insisting gossip must die in the ivory tower named after the greatest man, East of the Niger with international mystery and repute- Owelle Nnamdi Azikwe…The Zik of Africa!
Yet, a professor and his cohorts have stuck a knife in the heart of the institution by bringing in a dangerous academic politics unknown to the university just to satisfy his self interest. it’s unbelievable! It’s unimaginable! As a journalist in the last 20 years, I have not seen this level of bitter academic campaign to become a VC play out in Unizik this way. And to think a Prof is involved in hatching such a dirty report is unthinkable! Some of the Professors have already destroyed the reputation of the ivory tower across board as a result of their ungodly involvement in election manipulation while the dirty ambition to become VC is dangerously dividing academics for the hawks to take over. It happened in so many institutions when the preferred candidates fight dirty, a foreigner without the knowledge of the terrain comes in and enjoys the position just like it happened at Federal Polytechnic, Oko with a Kogi man becoming the Rector for years and since then, the institution hasn’t recovered to have one of their own become the Rector. That fabricated story politicizing the Vice-Chancellor race at Unizik has done more harm than goog to the university. COOU Igbariam experienced it when Prof Fidelis Okafor was brought on board, and since then, the qualified Professors have remained unhappy.

ASUU members at Unizik are dying. The number is quite high. Why? It’s no longer about bitterness, backbiting and envy. And it’s not about threat to life by thieves and burglars at Unizik. These thieves invaded and carted away valuables from offices via alleys. Why should this be so? Are there no indigenes in security outfit from both Amansea and Awka communities? Comrade Kingsley Ubaoji, Prof of Nutritional and Environmental Biochemistry, NAU is worried. What can he do? Has ASUU any say in who becomes the next VC, Unizik? Why the hatchet job against prominent Professors in Unizik even from Unizik? Professors in Unizik should stop anyone trying to sabotage the smooth process of power change at Unizik. It should be a collective bargain or someone from outside takes it.

Now, an hatchet team, desperate to have their preferred Prof to become the VC of Nnamdi Azikwe University Awka, which is their entitlement to push with civility, threw caution to the wind and introduced conventional political language to the university community, thereby creating a dangerous trend that the university may not survive unless they retrace their steps now.

Where has it happened that a Vice-Chancellor appoints his successor? The outgoing VC can only recommend but it is the duty of the Governing Council, the Senate of the university and the Visitor to the university to determine who becomes the Vice Chancellor.

I wonder why the university dignified the carpenter with official reply by Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the new Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor on Public Relations and Special Duties. The author used gorilla means and another gorilla would have replied them because with that response from Dr Ojukwu, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone FAS, has replied the gorilla. I think another gorilla should have replied the moron. As a fifth columnist and opportunist, he shouldn’t have been dignified with any response.

Everyone, except the carpenter and rumour monger knows there is a procedure for selecting a Vice- Chancellor for universities by the Federal Ministry of Education. So, what right does Prof Chukwuma Soludo have in appointing a Vice-Chancellor even in Acting capacity as he did for COOU, Igbariam? So, how did APGA politics get involved?
Foolishness!

Whether Prof Esimone has interest in who succeeds him or not is immaterial in this piece because the fifth columnist threw caution to the wind but targeted the soul of the university in order to destroy the efforts of the past five years by Prof Esimone who is finishing strong by first week of June this year, 2024. Shameless power hungry academics should bury their heads in shame for bringing disaffection into the university for whatever reasons.

His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR is not former President Buhari. So, don’t remind him that none of the Professors at Unizik is qualified to be the Vice- Chancellor with useless collaboration with unprofessional jobbers called writers or journalists.

Even, I am shocked to find out that some who are pretending to be lovers of the Vice-Chancellor are digging graves to diminish the worth of the VC before his own eyes. Shameless people everywhere, eye-service people yet they are vipers.

It is only natural that people have ambition including Professors but their ambitions must not be bitter in spite of the intrigues involved. The momentum on who succeeds Esimone is high.Esimone’s successor will be the 7th substansive Vice-Chancellor of Unizik. Previous holders of the coveted office included Professors Festus Nwako (1993-1998), Pita Ejiofor (1998-2003), Ilochi Okafor, SAN (2003-2008), Boniface Egboka (2008-2014) and Joseph Ahaneku (2014-2019), who handed over to the incumbent, Prof Esimone.

I am not denying the rancour, arm twisting, and all sorts of intrigues employed to emerge the VC of Unizik but we haven’t seen articles rubbishing the university as a tout-like contest in previous selection processes. We saw it playing out bitterly during the process of selecting the successor of Prof Pita Ejiofor in 2003. Late Prof. Nonso Nnabuife
was said to have been the choice of the outgoing VC while the then Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. S.O Igwe, was rumoured to have favoured the then Dean of Faculty of Law, Prof Ilochi Okafor, SAN. Let me not go into the religious politics they brought to Unizik against Prof Ilochi but at the end, he stood head high because all the religious favoritism brought against him fell flat when Late Dr A. C. Eyiuche, Professor in the department of Economics released a pamphlet containing all appointees and it indicated that a larger proportion were Catholics. Case closed. Shame on rumour mongers, gossips. According to Ilochi, forces of old dealt with him but standing firm on the side of the public good for greater majority, he triumphed.

At the selection process thar led to the emergence of Prof. Joseph Ahaneku as the Vice -Chacellor in 2014, it was same bitterness when Prof. Greg Nwakoby, who succeeded Prof. Ilochi as the Dean of Faculty of Law and immediate past Vice Chancellor of COOU, Igbariam was on the same pitch. The speculation in the public space was that while the outgoing Professor Egboka favoured Nwakoby, some other interests including the university’s branch of ASUU rooted for Ahaneku

By the time to the Governing Council was to pronounce the selected person, the battle line had been clearly drawn. An announcement was sponsored in the media proclaiming Nwakoby as the new VC but it was soon countered by another one signed by the then University Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu. An advertorial also appeared in Daily Sun Newspaper “Setting the Records Straight” as to the fact that no one had been announced as the Vice-Chancellor. This advertorial was signed by well-known allies of Ahaneku, Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi of Faculty of Law who later became Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Administration) under Ahaneku and Prof Godson Okafor of the Department of Mass Communication who was also to be in the inner circle of Ahaneku’s administration as the Director of Infrastructure. He is a pioneer member of staff of Mass Communication. Ultimately, Ahaneku’s camp prevailed. I could remember Ahaneku broke the news of his appointment to me as a journalist on the go.

On the contrary, Five years later, the process that led to the emergence of Prof. Esimone turned out to be quiet and seamless. Not much noise was made in the public space up till the day Late Azeez Oladotun Bello-led Governing council pronounced the new Vice-Chancellor. it was Prof Esimone who also broke the news to me personally. Let me not say certain things here about some Professors and some top officials of the institution or….?

Who becomes Esimone’s successor is in the major news in Unizik now. Some are going overboard for personal reasons forgetting that the university’s image is more important than their ego. Baring any unforseen circumstances, Nnamdi Azikwe University will in June, 2024 once more welcome a new Vice-Chancellor. The process of selecting a Vice- Chancellor for a federal university is clearly spelt out in the Universities(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 as amended. Section 3 of the Act provides that where a vacancy occurs in the post of a Vice-Chancellor, the Governing Council shall advertise the vacancy in a reputable journal or a widely read newspaper in Nigeria calling for applications and specifying the qualities of persons who may apply. A shortlist shall thereafter be drawn from the list of applicants. The council shall constitute a Search Team whose duty is to seek out for consideration other qualified persons who may not apply for the job. A joint Council and Senate selection board shall then be constituted to examine the curriculum vitae of the shortlisted applicants, interact with them and thereafter recommend to the Council three suitable candidates for further consideration. The council shall then select a Vice-Chancellor from among the three candidates recommended to it and inform the President who is the Visitor to the university.

However as it stands now, Nnamdi Azikwe University, like other federal universities in Nigeria runs without a Governing Council following the dissolution of the Council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu upon assumption of office. Obviously, no substantive Vice-Chancellor can be selected without a Govening Council, meaning that if nothing changes between now and June 2024, Unizik will have to settle for an Acting VC.

Many senior Professor’s are rumoured to be warming up for the race. While no one has, as it is usually the cass, openly made his intension clear at this time, grapevine has thrown up some names as being interested in the position.

We have some names considered as the super five contenders in the race, even when they haven’t applied. They are Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, the DVC Administration, Prof Emeka Ezeonu, immediate past REC Imo State and immediate past President, Unizik Alumni Association; Professor Au Nnonyelu, Director, Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy and former Director, Unizik Business School as well as Prof Alex Asigbo, Director School of General Studies, former TETFUND helmsman in Unizik. Then the shocker, Prof Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor, SAN, who is currently the Acting Vice- Chancellor of Baze University Abuja. She may emerge as Acting Vice Chancellor if no Governing Council is constituted before June. And may I add the sixth person as Prof Emma Okoye, former Dean, Management Science, former Governing Council member and currently Director, Unizik Business School. He may throw up a surprise if care is not taken, having traversed the country and beyond in rendering solutions to financial problems through his connections to important people in the corridors of power. And his prayer warriors haven’t failed to achieve whatever they set out to do. Are they targeting VC position this time?

Others are Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, former Provost, Federal College of Education(Technical), Umunze; Prof Godwin Onu, former Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko; Prof Nwakoby, former Vice Chancellor COOU, Igbariam; Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha before her appointment as Acting VC COOU; Prof Aribodor, Director SIWES and former ASUU Chairperson, Prof Clifford Ezekwe Nwanna , Rector Renaissance Polytechnic ,
Prof Nkechi Ikediugwu of PPSSC Anambra, Prof IK Odimegwu Harris former ASUU Leader, PG school Director and Director Academic Planning and HRH Prof Harry-Obi-Nwosu with towering credentials too in all ramifications even as former councilmember. There are so many others.

Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, widely believed to be the frontrunner in the race, the professor of Obstetrics and Gynecolology as well as an assisted reproduction expert of repute has been a visible figure in the university, especially since the advent of Esimone administration, where he had once served as the Director of Academic Planning(DAP) and currently as the Deputy VC(Administration). He is known to be one of the most dependable brains in the cabinet of Prof Esimone and he has played a leading role in whatever achievements so far made by the Esimone administration.

Ikechebelu was recently in the news for successfully defending his PhD in Medicine at University of Nigeria Nsukka. This move to acquire a PhD was interpreted by some as aimed at removing possible hurdle to his becoming the next VC. However, that speculation flies flat in the face of reality in the sense that as a medical academic, his Fellowship in Gynecology is equivalent to a doctorate degree Reacting to this, Prof Esimone noted that based on Unizik staff condition of service, Ikechevelu does not require a PhD to qualify to be the VC.

If history is anything to go by, Ikechebelu is the most favoured given the previous two Vice-Chancellors of the institution, Egboka and Ahaneku, as well as the incumbent Esimone, had moved from being Deputy VC’s to succeeding their respective bosses.

Another thing going for Ikechebelu is the possible backing of his candidacy by Esimone. However, Esimone had debunked that rumour which has been in public space . Speaking to the media some weeks ago, he insisted that rules as against favouritism will determine who succeeds him. “We have to religiously follow that guideline ; there is no anointed candidate. Annointng any person is not one of the processes for the selection of the Vice-Chancellor of the university. People must pass through the due process of interview; if one emerges victorious and is found qualified, he is appointed as the Vice Chancellor”, he said.

But then even if Ikechebulu is being backed by the incumbent, history has shown that such a favoured candidate has not always emerged as the VC as seen with the selection of Ejiofor’s successor in 2003 and that of Egboka in 2014.

Prof. Emeka Ezeonu
The Professor of Environmental Biochemistry and Toxicology is the immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo State. Ezeonu is a household name in Unizik, the first product of the university to become a professor in the institution. He graduated with a first class. He has been a visible figure in the university over the years, holding important offices including as Dean of Students’ Affairs and Director, Research, Innovation and Development. He was the immediate past President of Unizik Alumni Association worldwide He was also the former Vice Chancellor, Hezekiah University and other positions too numerous ro mention. He loved by many sequel to his no nonsense stance.

This is not the first time Ezeonu’s name is being thrown up as a potential Vice Chancellor; this had happened a number of times previously, a testimony to his clout in the university. As a long-term academic in the university, he has built an impressive following, having mentored a number of equally influential persons including the current Unizik ASUU Chairman, Prof Kingsley Ubaoji However, it remains to be seen how all these factors will work in his favour towards becoming the next VC. Though, his type of stubborn stance is what the university needs now to stabilize in all fronts but will others understand him?

Professor. Au. Nonyelu has been a very prominent figure in Unizik for over two decades. The Professor of Industrial Sociology and Labour Relations has held many high-profile portfolios in the university. He was once Dean of Student Affairs, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Director, Unizik Business School and currently Director Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy. The Awka-born scholar would leave a sterling legacy UNIZIK having attracted Sen.Ben Ndi Obi to endow the Zik’s Annual Lecture, a flagship event of UNIZIK which has in the last decade, attracted prominent local and international figures to the university. He is a super Rotarian.

Critical to Nonyelu’s emergence as UNIZIK’s next Vice-Chancellor is the long-standing sentiment that no indigene Awka, the university’s host community has ever emerged as the institution’s Chief Executive. This sentiment is only bound to deepen considering that at least three more VCs have emerged since that first sentiment first appeared some years ago. But it remains to be seen how this can benefit him if he eventually throws his hat into the ring. However, sources in the university say that Nonyelu does not like to be associated with clannish sentiments as far as his professional life is concerned.

Prof. Alex Asigbo
Asigbo is a Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies. The emergence of his name among potential successors of Esimone is not surprising given his rapidly rising profile in the institution over the last couple of years. Within the last decade, he has held positions such as the Director, Centre for Arts, Culture and Humanities, Chairman, TETFUND Implementation Committee, and Dean, Faculty of Arts. Currently, he holds sway as the Director, School of General Studies.

The graduate of University of Port Harcourt will fancy his chances of securing the plum job should he apply when the time comes. Those who are close to the internal working of the institution believe he has the personality clout as well as the connections that may be helpful in this regard.

Prof. Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor, SAN

Prof Kathleen Ebelechukwu Okafor, is the master stroke to shock Nnamdi University Awka if the nonsensical dirty war by Professors against Professors persists. Already, she is the Acting Vice- Chancellor, Baze University Abuja. She is from Nnewi and the daughter of Dr George Akabogu. She is a Lioness and had her LL. B degree in 1974. She is a grandmother who attended Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1979.She was at University College London in 1981 to complete her LL M program. She got her PHD from the University of Lagos in 2000.

She has been to Oxford, Harvard Business School, Regent College London, Kellogg’s Management Institute to mention but a few.

She was at the Chambers of Lattef Adegbite and Co before joining Shell Petroleum; and much later as the Legal Adviser and Company Secretary of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc for over 29 years. She was once the regional Secretary, African Printers Association, 1992-1999. She was a Consultant to NDIC and NNPC on Legal and Economic Matters. She was Dean, Faculty of Law Baze University for years and she was also the Chairperson, Faculty of Law Welfare Committee, Deputy Editor, Miyetti Research and Publications. She has written over 7 law text books and over 80 articles in local and international journals and newspapers.

The new Unizik VC is still an unfolding scenario.

As countdown to the end of Prof. Esimone’s Vice Chancellorship gradually climaxes, there is a belief that the full scenario around the approaching contest is still unfolding. Many things are yet to be known. For instance, apart from the above profiled individuals, chances are high that several more candidates, including those from outside UNIZIK will enter the race. For now, we may not known exactly who these individual will be just as no one may be certain as to whether all the above profiled persons will end up applying for the job when the call is made.

Above all, who will emerge as Vice-Chancellor after Prof. Charles Esimone? Whatever the answer may be, one thing that is certain is that it will be an exciting episode to watch. The world is waiting but let the Professors at Unizik mot throw their rights on ego trip. My point is simple, let it be someone from Unizik.
Or don’t you think it’s better someone known to all of you than an outside , who brings in more outsiders to razzmatazz the system?

Cornucopia is a weekly column of Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD.
Odogwu is a known Journalist, Editor, Media & Public Relations Consultant, Media Entrepreneur, Teacher, Lecturer, Motivator, Unionist, Community leader, social analyst and Famous Blogger, as well as Social Media Entrepreneur, Publisher and Conversationalist @ www.odogwublog.com among others.
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