PRESS RELEASE |  *UNIZIK: Is Education Ministry desperately working for some fifth columnists to set institution on fire* ?

– ( _Being a reaction of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University on the letter purporting dissolution of Governing Council and sacking of it’s Seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor_ )

The attention of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has again been drawn to yet another mischievous letter emanating from the Ministry of Education and signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade titled: _Dissolution of Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka_ and shared virally in both mainstream and Social media platforms in the late hours of today, 20th day of November, 2024.

In a strange tone that is characteristically similar to it’s earlier letter on 1st November 2024 during which it tried to arrogate to itself, the hiring and firing power for a Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University duly appointed by the University’s Governing Council, the author purported that, ” _The Federal Government has announced the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, following grave breaches of the law governing the university and disregard for lawful directives from the Federal Ministry of Education._

The letter bizarrely stated that, ” _the decision comes after it was found that the Chairman of the Governing Council unilaterally appointed a Vice-Chancellor who did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the position. This led to a breakdown of law and order within the university community, causing tension and disharmony_ “.

Further in it’s usurpation of powers dissolving the validly-appointed Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe-led Governing Council and four of it’s other members, the Ministry claimed that, ” _The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that urgent measures were needed to prevent further deterioration of the situation at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, as the illegal decisions taken by the Governing Council posed a significant risk of further destabilizing the institution_ .

The Ministry consequently did not betray it’s ulterior intents when the letter purported that, ” _The Honourable Minister of Education has also announced the removal of Professor Benard Odoh, the Vice-Chancellor who was illegally appointed by the dissolved Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. In accordance with the university’s founding act, an Acting Vice-Chancellor will be appointed, and a new Governing Council for the university will be constituted as soon as possible to ensure proper governance and adherence to the law_ …”

Again, as we had pointed out in the first kite flown by the Ministry on the 2nd of November, we and the every reasonable member of the public is constrained to make these posers:

1. Who is the omnibus ‘Federal Government’, referred to in the said letter by the Ministry? Is it the visitor, Mr. President, who (may also act based on the recommendation of the Minister) as the only person with the powers to appoint and dissolve a duly constituted Governing Council as provided for in CAP. N139 Sub. 3 (1 and 2) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, LFN 2004?

2. What grave breaches and lawful directive(s) as claimed by the Ministry has the Governing Council disobeyed when the members have never been formally or officially invited for any questioning on issues regarding the appointment of the Seventh Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University?

3. Why is the Education Ministry desperately working from an answer to a question by making it’s hasty insistence that the Council unilaterally appointed a Vice-Chancellor for the university? This is despite mountain of evidences before it clearly stating how the October 29th, 2024 race for the VCship of the University was won and lost with losers embracing and congratulating the winner.

4. Why is the Ministry now desperately trying to also usurp the powers of the Courts of competent jurisdictions in our land before whom are multiple lawsuits on this matter by running into a conclusion without evidence? Even when the Vice-Chancellor has made his academic credentials public, why is the Ministry still referring to him as ‘unqualified’? Further, all correspondences from this university’s Registrar have already made copious clarifications on the processes leading to the emergence of Professor Benard Odoh as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

5. Has there been any crises needless to allude ‘breakdown of law and order’ in the institution since the subsequent inauguration into office of the Seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University? The simple answer is that the Awka temple of knowledge just like it’s sister campuses have been very calm and peaceful and the Vice-Chancellor has been discharging his duties effectively without rancour. It can even be safe to conclude that the Ministry, ostensibly working for some fifth columnists may want to ignite or spark crises with it’s highly dictatorial treatise.

6. Again, for the second time in less than three weeks, the Ministry of Education violated the extant provisions of the University’s Act by announcing for the second time, a purported removal from office of the Seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university which we still insist it has no powers to do, not especially when parties are already in the various Courts of Law.

7. Top among the many other flaws in the purported ‘sack letter’ is the fact that even the Council’s Chairman who was duly appointed with a letter has not been officially or formally communicated about this purported dissolution.

8. Already, the greatest question mark on the integrity of the purported letter is the fact that it never emanated from the President or Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who issued the council members with appointment letters. It was rather strangely endorsed, not by a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry perhaps on behalf of the Honourable Minister but by a Public Relations Director. This obviously casts strong doubts on the genuineness and intents of the said letter.

9. We would wish to maintain that hence parties have remained in Court, let the issues be expeditiously tested and established by the relevant provisions of our laws.

10. That the said letter is contemptuous having regard that the subject matter of the said letter is subjudice. Incidentally, MInistry of Education is a party in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/383/2024 and also in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/372/2024 where legality or otherwise of the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University by the Council was submitted to the National Industial Court to determine and the Court is yet to make pronouncement. This notwithstanding Ministry of Education without iota of repect to the Honourable Court proceeded and passed its judgment. Meanwhile Ministry of Education is a Defendant in the above suits with no counter claim. This is unprecedented .

11. The general public and particularly members of the university community are advised to go about their lawful and legitimate businesses as they have always maintained. Let peace continue to reign supreme in our revered citadel of learning!

E-Signed:

Charles Otu

*Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice-Chancellor*