Unizik denies scheduling institution’s senate meeting to elect vice chancellor

Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, has explained that the Wednesday 8 scheduled Senate meeting of the university is not for the election of the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university.

There has been controversy and power tussle in the university over the position of the Vice Chancellor as the incumbent, Prof Charles Esimone will be retiring in June.

There have also been several petitions to the federal government over attempts by some people to foist themselves into the position.

Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor (Public Relations & Special Duties), Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, who clarified the position in a press release, said insinuations in some quarters, especially among those aspiring to the office of Vice Chancellor of the university, that the outgoing VC, Prof Charles Esimone, is convening the Senate for the sole purpose of electing his successor was untrue.

Ojukwu’s statement read in part, “This is to inform the university community and indeed the general public that the information being circulated on social media about the scheduled Senate meeting of the university is false and baseless.

Advertisement

“This is definitely the work of hirelings who are engaged by desperate aspirants for the position of the Vice Chancellor which will be vacant on June 4, 2024.

“The allegation that the forthcoming Senate is convened solely to elect the Acting Vice Chancellor is false.

“The Senate meeting scheduled for Wednesday May 8, 2024, does not have any election of an Acting Vice Chancellor on the agenda.

“Since the Governing Council of the University is not yet in place, the appointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor will be made by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education.

“The agenda for all senate meetings are usually sent to the email of senators. The accusation that no agenda was available for the senate meeting is wrong, unbelievable and outrightly dumb.

“The Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, in the course of his duties, holds periodic meetings with several segments of the university. To insinuate that these dutiful meetings are called for the purposes of a so-called imaginary ‘election’ in the Senate is pedestal and unimaginable.

“Surprisingly, the level of desperation by these ambitious aspirants disregarding simple decorum and respect for others which is the cornerstone of the ivory tower is troubling and detestable.

“It is on this note that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone reiterates his plea to all aspirants to calm down and maintain the prevailing peace in the university in the overall interest of the university.

“Prof Esimone further assures that there will be a level playing field for all aspirants.”