Canary Song For New VC: ASUU NAU Makes U-Turn, Support Ahaneku

Prof Ike Odimegwu

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),   Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter, has made a u-turn and singing a new song on the emergence of the  new Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Less than 48 hours after the union threatened fire and brimstone to express its dismay over the alleged irregularities that characterize the procedures adopted by the Governing Council of the university for  election of the new Vice Chancellor, the chairman of ASUU, NAU chapter, Professor Ike Odimegwu  hailee the process that threw up Ahaneku as the new VC, saying they conformed with the laid down procedures and law.

Speaking when he led the ASUU  NAU Executive on a courtesy call, the Chairman of the  union, Professor Harris Odimegwu  recalled that ASUU strongly deplored the process, characterized by irregularities which nearly marred its stands for quality university education for Nigerians, warning that his union would not hesitate to fight if the new administration derailed.

He said the visit was to thank God and congratulate Prof. Ahaneku on his successful emergence as the new Vice Chancellor, adding that  the Council headed by  Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (Rtd), fulfilled its statutory role.

Odimegwu who recalled that the turbulence that greeted the journey was significant for all, noting that the destroyed core values which the new Vice Chancellor inherit should be turned around for good  at the end of his tenure in five years time.

He charged the new Vice Chancellor to rise to the occasion and put the name of the university on the map of global ranking through resuscitating  and making the institution flower “so that  we will have a society of strong institution.”

According to him, ASUU NAU  would support  and cooperate with the new leadership of the institution as long as it works with the ideals of the union which iis committed to improving quality education in the institution.

Odimegwu disclosed that ASUU NAU would keep on with the struggle and even fight the new  university administration if it works against the union’s goal which he said was for the oppressed and down trodden people.

Responding , the Vice Chancellor-elect, Professor Aheneku thanked the leadership of ASUU NAU for the timely visit, describing the union as a group that drives academic excellence  and self reliance in the institution.

Prof. Ahaneku  said the university followed all due procedures to conclude its assignment which culminated in his election as the  new Vice Chancellor, urging for prayer for the time being.

  Thanking the university senate, governing council, ASUU NAU and the entire university community for conducting  themselves peacefully and orderly during trying  journey, he sued for calm,

He said: “I want to congratulate the governing council for finding me worthy. When this journey began, we prayed for due process to be followed and I am happy that due process was followed.

“I want to ask those who competed with me to join me in moving the university to the next level  because as stakeholders in the ivory tower, our duty is to improve humanity through imparting of knowledge.

“If we do not do the right thing,  society would be doomed and we have to be conscious that God selected us to lay the role of imparting knowledge without fear or favour.

“Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was number one in Nigeria and since this university bears his name, it should also be number one in the country and our administration will be determined to achieve it.

“We thank God that the university is highly endowed to achieve its objectives and the earlier we close ranks, the better for all of us. Our concern should be where the university would be in the five years and this is what will guide our actions, . Ahaneku said.

  

He said that the university was committed to training the critical mass for production of the manpower for nation building, and social change, calling on his rivals to close ranks in the new team’s  bid to move the university to the next level.

     Professor Ahaneku,  a Professor of Chemical Pathology and a Fellow of Academy of Science  from Imo State, emerged new Vice-Chancellor following an exhaustive meeting held by the Council, which gave him eight votes while  three members voted for his rival, Professor Greg Nwakoby and nil vote for Prof. Ben Osisioma.

 He takes over June 4, 2014 from the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Boniface Egboka from Anambra State.

In another development,  the Director of Information and Public Relations (NAU) Emma Ojukwu debunked the allegations credited to one of the defeated candidates in the contest that money exchange hands during the exercise, saying the team led by Koinyan comprised people of integrity.

Ojukwu said, “The allegations are baseless, unfounded and lack merit whoever is challenging the selection process is not sincere.  .Full council voted including the seating vice chancellor, offer which Prof. Joseph Ahaneku emerged the new Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

From UCHE OSIBE