The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra State, have reinstated Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu as the institution’s acting vice chancellor, effective immediately.
On Thursday, Njelita Louis, the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations/Protocol Officer, issued a press statement confirming this.
Louis noted that the decision followed the invalidation of Prof. Bernard Odoh’s appointment as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was considered unconstitutional.
He stated that Prof. Ikechebelu has been asked to take over full administrative responsibilities for the university immediately.
Mr. Victor Modebelu has also been named Acting Registrar, following the nullification of Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike’s nomination as substantive registrar.
The statement read: “This is to inform the Nnamdi Azikiwe University community and the general public that, in accordance with the directives of the Honourable Minister of Education and the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Prof. Joseph I. Ikechebelu has been reinstated as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with immediate effect.
“This decision follows the nullification of the appointment of Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, which was deemed illegally executed by the now-dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university.
“The reinstatement of Prof. Ikechebelu is outlined in the Federal Ministry of Education correspondence, Ref: FME/HE/CU/82°/1/308, dated 20th November 2024, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.”
According to the statement, Ikechebelu has been directed to assume full administrative duties, with any problems requiring governing council approval sent to the Minister of Education until President Tinubu reconstitutes a new council.
In a similar line, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the reinstatement of Mr. Victor Ikechukwu Modebelu as Acting Registrar, following the cancellation of Barr. Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike’s appointment as substantive registrar.
The dissolved 10th Governing Council ruled that Nwokike’s appointment, like that of the Vice-Chancellor, was unlawful.
The university community has been requested to provide full support and cooperation to the restored acting vice chancellor and acting registrar as they oversee the institution’s academic and administrative responsibilities.
