Ikechebelu Is Back As Acting VC Nnamdi Azikiwe University

By Ayodele Oni

Coming for the second time, Prof. Joseph Ifenayichukwu Ikechebelu is back as the Acting Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state.

This was contained in a letter signed by Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Education and made available to journalists on Thursday.

The development followed the nullification of the appointment of Prof. Benard Ifeany Odoh as the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor on November 18.

Odoh is still laying claim to the position of the VC insisting that the Federal ministry of education has no power to terminate his appointment through a mere press release.

The letter of reinstatement of Ikechebelu reads:

“REINSTATEMENT AS THE ACTING CHANCELLOR, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE

“Sequel to the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR via letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November, 2024 nullifying the appointment of Prof. Benard Ifeany Odoh as the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University who was illegally appointed by the dissolved 10th Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, I am pleased to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister to reinstate you as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University with immediate effect.

“Consequently, you are directed to take charge of the administration of the University.

“Take note that henceforth any matter that requires the approval of the Governing Council shall be forwarded to the Honourable Minister of Education for his consideration and approval pending the re-constitution of a new Governing Council for the University by Mr. President.”

Ikechebelu had held the position on acting capacities before the university got enmeshed in its current crisis following the election of Prof Bernard Odoh as the VC.

Ikechebelu’s appointment followed the sack of Prof Odoh as the seventh VC of the university by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Prof Odoh, Thursday, told the federal government to refrain from stoking unnecessary tension within the university.

Odoh also warned the education ministry to avoid overriding the powers of the courts, which are currently handling multiple lawsuits on the matter.

Odoh, through his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Charles Otu, described the letter announcing his dismissal and the dissolution of the university’s governing council as “mischievous”, “strange,” and a “grievous attempt to set the institution on fire”.

According to him, the composition of the university’s governing council and his appointment as the seventh substantive VC followed all the due processes.