By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, during its inaugural meeting on Friday, approved the immediate dismissal of at least five academic staff members of the university. The meeting, which was chaired by the University’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Peter Onwualu, approved the dismissal of the staff following the report of a disciplinary committee set up to look into the various cases of misconduct against the staff members, which was brought before the Council for consideration.
Those whose sack was approved by the university council include Professor Chike Osegbue, of the Department of Political Science, who was found to have abandoned his duties as an academic staff member of the university, without any excuse or justification, our source said. In the Faculty of Law, Professors C. C. Nwabachili and Ifeoma Kakulu were sacked over cases of gross misconduct. Meanwhile, Dr. I. H. Iheukwumere and Mr. Emeka Nwabunnia, of the Department of Microbiology, Uli Campus, were dismissed over cases of sexual harassment and intimidation.
With this action, the University Council has set a new mark of conduct and redirected focus to commitment to value for staff, especially academic staff members of the university, who the Council said are expected to uphold the highest level of professional and ethical conduct as role models.
During the meeting, which was attended by all members of the University Council who were inaugurated yesterday by the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and charged to deliver nothing but excellence, they jointly submitted that Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University must set the pace in learning, teaching, and training quality graduates with the requisite skill set that meets the challenges of the present time. The Council further committed to upholding the virtues of integrity, discipline, and honest commitment to academic values.
Meanwhile, the Council also approved the promotion of at least 13 Readers to full professorship. Those promoted include Dr. Uju Susan Muogbo of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Dr. Nonso Mbah of the Department of Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Basil Agoha of the Department of Architecture, Dr. Ikechukwu Gbasouzor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Agary Nwokoye of the Department of Political Science, Dr. Ikechukwu Asika of the Department of English, Dr. Nkiru Chude, Dr. Kennedy Onwuama, Dr. Chinyerem Nwachukwu, Dr. Susan Oguejiofor, Dr. Anthonia Okoye, Dr. Choice Okaforcha, and Rev. Fr. Dr. Emmanuel Dim.
The Chairman of Council, Professor Peter Onwualu, while extending the Council’s congratulations to the new professors, also charged them to continue to hold the academic banner to the highest standards.
