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By Madu Obi
AS the tenure of Professor Charles Esimone, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State draws to an end, tension is still mounting over who would succeed him, with the spokesman of the university, Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu explaining that Wednesday's scheduled Senate meeting of the university is not for the election of the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university as being insinuated.
Esimone will vacate office on June 4 and high wired politicking has been going on among individuals and groups interested in the exalted office, with petitions flying from Awka to Abuja alleging that the outgoing VC has an annointed candidate to succeed him.
Dr Ojukwu, who is the Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor (Public Relations & Special Duties), in a statement, urged the agitated individuals to calm down, adding that the responsibility of appointing the acting VC rests with the federal government.
Ojukwu's statement read in part: "This is to inform the university community and indeed the general public, that the information being circulated in the social media about scheduled Senate meeting of the university is false and baseless.
"This is definitely the work of hirelings who are engaged by desperate aspirants for the position of the Vice Chancellor which will be vacant on June 4, 2024."
"The following facts are to be noted and reflects the true position in the university: The previously scheduled meeting of university Senate was supposed to hold on Wednesday which fell on May 1, 2024 (Workers day)."
"In deference to the sacrifices of the university workers and the Nigerian workers and also for the fact that the day was a public holiday declared by the federal government, the Senate meeting was rescheduled to Wednesday May 8, 2024.
"The notice of the meeting was given one week ago. Therefore, the insinuation that a properly scheduled university Senate is mischievously referred to as 'illegal’ by these detractors is infantile and shows lack of knowledge of how the university works."
"The allegation that the forthcoming Senate is convened solely to elect the Acting Vice Chancellor is false."
"The Senate meeting scheduled for Wednesday May 8, 2024 does not have any election of an Acting Vice Chancellor on the agenda. Since the Governing Council of the University is not yet in place, the appointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor will be made by the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Education."
"The agenda for all Senate meetings are usually sent to the email of senators. The accusation that no agenda was available for the Senate meeting is wrong, unbelievable and outrightly dumb."
"The Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, in the course of his duties, holds periodic meetings with several segments of the university. To insinuate that these dutiful meetings are called for the purposes of a so-called imaginary ‘election’ in the Senate is pedestal and unimaginable."
"Surprisingly, the level of desperation by these ambitious aspirants disregarding simple decorum and respect for others which is the cornerstone of the ivory tower is troubling and detestable."
"It is on this note that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone reiterates his plea to all aspirants to calm down and maintain the prevailing peace in the university in the over all interest of the university".
Ojukwu said the outgoing Vice Chancellor has further assured that there will be a level playing field for all aspirants to the office of Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK.
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