KEY POINTS
- Prof. Odoh confirms his 2015 professorship with Federal University Gusau.
- UNIZIK vindicates appointment process for its Vice Chancellor.
- Social media rumors refuted with documented evidence, ASUU alleged.
We can confirm that the academic credentials of Prof. Benard Odoh, the newly appointed Vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, have been verified by the management of the Federal University Gusuwa, Zamfara state.
The confirmation has further dashed claims by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that Odoh is not a professor.
A certified true copy of his appointment letter according to which the Odoh was promoted to Professor of Geological Sciences at Federal University Gusau to the rank of Professor on October 1, 2015.
Also, the university, in a letter dated November 12, 2015, and signed by the university’s Registrar Ibrahim B. Kaura, said in part that the promotion followed commendable evaluations from three external assessors.
UNIZIK refutes claims
The information directorate UNIZIK responded to their allegations saying Odoh’s appointment as Vice Chancellor followed the statutory due processes.
But the directorate said that Odoh’s promotion was in line with rigorous evaluations of his academic qualifications, scholarly contributions, research and administrative experience.
External assessors, who validated Odoh’s promotion to full Professor, include Prof. P.O. Okeke of Enugu State University of Science and Technology and Prof. Aigbedion Isaac of Ambrose Alli University.
Discussing social media misinformation
UNIZIK also dismissed rumors circulating on social media that Odoh was not a staff of Federal University Gusau. The university said Odoh was added to its academic staff register in 2015 with his staff number and position duly captured.
Appointment Process Defended
Moreover, UNIZIK’s Vice Chancellor and Registrar had been appointed with procedural irregularities, ASUU had also alleged.
But the university insisted that its Governing Council had acted in line with the provision of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap 139, (as amended). As a refined selection process including oral interviews and evaluations took place, only the most eligible candidates could be assigned.
Unity and progress call
The directorate of UNIZIK had however urged staff and students of the University to support Prof. Odoh’s leadership. Noting the achievements made to date in the areas of research, learning and productivity.
The University had been encouraging unity and collaboration in order to realize the vision of the Vice Chancellor for institutional growth.
