Prof. Bernard Odoh, the dismissed vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, bemoaned the process of his dismissal on Thursday, claiming that it was not a legal procedure.
Odoh is worried about his alleged “illegal” appointment, which led to both his and the institution’s governing council’s dismissal.
Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said in a statement released on Wednesday that the Federal Government has to step in to resolve simmering tensions.
Following allegations that the governing council had unlawfully nominated an unfit vice-chancellor without following the proper procedures, the council and its staff were fired.
Following the contentious nomination, the Federal Government intervened to resolve conflicts between the 33-year-old university’s Senate and Governing Council.
In its selection process, the council appeared to have disregarded the university’s governing statutes, which the government found concerning, according to the statement.
In an interview with Arise TV, Odoh insisted that he would like to be removed based on the findings of an investigative committee rather than a public statement.
“I’m not defying Mr. President, but the governing council will suggest my dismissal following an investigation,” he stated, adding that “Mr. President may have made a mistake.”
“You cannot terminate an employee you did not hire. The council was constituted by the visitor (Tinubu), and it engaged with me and sent me a letter in accordance with the proper procedure. He can’t use a press release to get rid of me.
Following the contentious nomination, the Federal Government intervened to resolve conflicts between the 33-year-old university’s Senate and Governing Council.
In its selection process, the council appeared to have disregarded the university’s governing statutes, which the government found concerning, according to the statement.
In an interview with Arise TV, Odoh insisted that he would like to be removed based on the findings of an investigative committee rather than a public statement.
“I’m not defying Mr. President, but the governing council will suggest my dismissal following an investigation,” he stated, adding that “Mr. President may have made a mistake.”
“You cannot terminate an employee you did not hire. The council was constituted by the visitor (Tinubu), and it engaged with me and sent me a letter in accordance with the proper procedure. He can’t use a press release to get rid of me.
A panel of inquiry did not exist. I was appointed by a constituted authority that followed a simple process, not by a news announcement,” he continued.
Regarding his confirmation as a professor, which had been the subject of another dispute, Odoh claimed that the accusation was untrue and that the then-registrar at the time he was confirmed as a professor took his records to the Sokoto State High Court for verification after the “lies and fake news” about his professorship surfaced.
Some individuals paid someone to have my records deleted from the university. My reference letter was written by the VC who appointed me, who is currently a professor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka,” he continued.
He went on to say that Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, “jumped the gun” when he dismissed Odoh because he is still facing four lawsuits in various courts.
“Those issues have not yet been resolved, and the minister has now acted prematurely on a topic in which the Federal Ministry of Education is a defendant. On this issue, the court has not rendered a decision. He said, “I don’t see a basis for all of this noise.”
Odoh asserted that his experience is also related to coming from a “third class” state, and he said he will visit the university to make sure that activities and accreditations are completed correctly.
“My home state is Ebonyi State. We are treated like second-class citizens. People believe that because I’m from Ebonyi State, I’m not qualified. People have banded together to get rid of me no matter what.
“I am visiting the university to make sure that accreditation and operations continue. A crisis is being introduced on campus by the Federal Ministry of Education. I graduated from this university. “The destruction of the university hurts me,” he remarked.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities had urged that the ministry disband the institution’s governing council due to illegal conduct and accused the council of not following due process in Odoh’s appointment.
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