By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU or UNIZIK), Awka, led by Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe, on Tuesday appointed Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Announcing the appointment in the Council Chambers, Amb. Mbadiwe explained that Odoh emerged tops among the 18 applicants based on his significant experience in university teaching, research, and administration.

According to him, the appointment aligns with the provisions of Section 4 of the First Schedule of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Act CAP 139, LFN 2004, as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2007.

While handing over the appointment letter to the new VC, he read the content, saying: ?Your appointment is for a period of five years, effective Tuesday, 29th October 2024. The terms and conditions of your appointment are as approved by the Federal Government for all Federal Universities.?

Prof Odoh in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the Governing Council and the Vice Chancellor?s Selection Team for entrusting him with the significant role.

He promised to work diligently to enhance the university in various areas.

The new VC said: ?I am the first alumnus of this university to be appointed to this position. I hold all my degrees from here, so I understand our challenges. Let me assure everyone, I know there are prejudices and concerns, but you will judge me by my performance, not hearsay. I will serve you well, and our university will progress.?

Meanwhile, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCAN) of the university has maintained that the appointment was in violation of a subsisting court order.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the secretary of MDCAN, Dr Sunday Oriji, said they have approached the court to challenge the appointment process, and the court had ordered the suspension of the election pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He said: ?They appointed their candidate in a hotel in Awka, specifically at a venue called MAXBE HOTEL, this afternoon. We commenced legal action on Friday, and the appointment was in violation of a court order because the court had instructed them to stop. They went ahead and made the appointment in total disrespect of a valid court order.?

Prof Odoh, an indigene of Ezza in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was born on August 5, 1975.

He was a member of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Senate from 2010 to 2014 and served as Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor (Academic Matters I) and Coordinator of the UTME Exercise from June to October 2014.

Odoh was appointed as a professor at the Federal University Gusau in 2015.

He also once served as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Ebonyi State and has over 120 research publications in reputable international journals, e-books, and monographs.

Odoh has been a Board Member of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Confucius Institute and a member of the Admission and Examination Monitoring Committee.

He served as Director of the Center for Water Resources Capacity Building Network for the Southeast Zone from August 2010 to October 2014 and as Coordinator of the UNIZIK Seismic Observatory Station during the same period.

Odoh was also a delegate at a Higher Education Administration seminar for Anglophone African countries in China, sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Education.

Prof Odoh mentored and led the UNIZIK team to first place among 26 African universities in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Imperial Barrel Award Finals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May 2013, where they ranked fifth globally.

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