Odoh, has accused the Federal Ministry of Education of “mischievously” and “deliberately” setting the institution on fire.
Like the popular adage says “Yanga de sleep trouble go wake am up” the sacked Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka in Anambra state, Bernard Odoh has threatened the minister of education, saying he has no power to sack him.
Odoh, has accused the Federal Ministry of Education of “mischievously” and “deliberately” setting the institution on fire.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the University and the removal of Odoh and Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, as the VC and registrar respectively.
Odoh made the allegation in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Charles Otu, while reacting to the announcement of his sacking by the ministry on Wednesday following his controversial appointment.
Recaall that the Federal University Gusau had disputed Bernard Odoh’s Professorship claims, Denies Academic Affiliation With Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s New VC.
Also, the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria had previously raised concerns about irregularities in the appointment process.
But Otu in the statement said, “The attention of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has again been drawn to yet another mischievous letter emanating from the Ministry of Education and signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade titled: Dissolution of Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and shared virally in both mainstream and Social media platforms in the late hours of today, 20th day of November, 2024.”
Otu said, “Again, as we had pointed out in the first kite flown by the Ministry on the 2nd of November, we and every reasonable member of the public is constrained to make these posers:
“Who is the omnibus ‘Federal Government’, referred to in the said letter by the Ministry? Is it the visitor, Mr. President, who (may also act based on the recommendation of the Minister) as the only person with the powers to appoint and dissolve a duly constituted Governing Council as provided for in CAP. N139 Sub. 3 (1 and 2) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, LFN 2004?
“What grave breaches and lawful directive(s) as claimed by the Ministry has the Governing Council disobeyed when the members have never been formally or officially invited for any questioning on issues regarding the appointment of the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University?
This is despite mountain of evidence before it clearly stating how the October 29th, 2024 race for the VCship of the University was won and lost with losers embracing and congratulating the winner.
“Why is the Ministry now desperately trying to also usurp the powers of the Courts of competent jurisdictions in our land before whom are multiple lawsuits on this matter by running into a conclusion without evidence?
“Even when the Vice-Chancellor has made his academic credentials public, why is the Ministry still referring to him as ‘unqualified’?
“Further, all correspondences from this university’s Registrar have already made copious clarifications on the processes leading to the emergence of Professor Benard Odoh as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
“Has there been any crises needless to allude ‘breakdown of law and order’ in the institution since the subsequent inauguration into office of the Seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University?”
“It can even be safe to conclude that the Ministry, ostensibly working for some fifth columnists may want to ignite or spark crises with its highly dictatorial treatise,” Out added.
“Again, for the second time in less than three weeks, the Ministry of Education violated the extant provisions of the University’s Act by announcing for the second time, a purported removal from office of the Seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university which we still insist it has no powers to do, not especially when parties are already in the various Courts of Law.”
