By Emeka Attah
The newly appointed 7th substantive Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Benard Ifeanyichukwu Odoh has no negative baggage in his academic credentials, as he has held several positions and garnered experience to steer the affairs of the university to global reckoning.
Those who spread sordid tales and misinformation about his pedigree, qualifications and the selection process of his appointment as the Vice Chancellor, have done so either out of ignorance or pure mischief for selfish reasons.
Those were the summations of Charles Otu, Personal Assistant Media and Publicity to Prof Odoh , Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, during a World Press Conference in Awka on Friday.
Otu, in a briefing titled: “The Odoh, they may not know, that the rest of us know” said the press conference was to set the records straight on the personality, academic records and uncommon accomplishments of the 7th Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh.
He recalled that over the past few weeks, the mainstream and social media have been engulfed with reports on matters arising from the recent appointment of Odoh- a Professor of Geophysics as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University by the Governing Council of the institution.
He noted that whereas, some allege ‘irregularities’ in the process of his emergence-a claim that is patently false and without any iota of substance or clear evidence, many others, particularly those within University Community and beyond have taken to negative publicities against the person of the new Vice-Chancellor to the social media, blogs and even mainstream media platforms, attempting to drag his long-standing reputation to a smudge.
He said that though Odoh insists on focusing on accomplishing his very broad disruptive development model vision for the great UNIZIK, those who know him closely feel morally burdened that, ‘a lie told often, becomes the truth’ as Vladmir Lenin insists.
“This is why we feel that silence is no longer golden and it is now trite that we set the records straight, present the facts we know about Odoh and rebut the several false allegations in many quarters with evidences of what we know about him.
“Odoh is a pragmatically ambitious individual who dares to dream, sets his eyes with an eagle vision on the pursuit of his goals and pours himself completely in to see to the realizations of his set goals, visions and purpose and without compromising standards, bending rules or breaking the laws at any point”
“He is a man of long-standing personal convictions who would prefer to walk away when his personal interests conflicts with that which he considers to be of the general public’s interest. This, he did on the 2nd of April 2018 when he resigned from the office of the Secretary to the Government of Ebonyi State, citing the fact that the policies of the then government wherein he served for about thirty months was no longer serving the interest of the common Ebonyian”
Otu dished out facts on Odoh’s sterling academic records thus: “In 1999, Odoh obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geological Sciences from the alma-mater he now presides over its affairs as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor. He got his Master of Science Degree in Applied Geophysics, measuring in Geoelectrical Geophysics from his same alma-mater, Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
“Between 2002 to September 2009, Odoh was lecturing in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki while doing his Doctorate Programme in Applied Geophysics which he successfully completed in 2008 in his same alma-mater, NAU, Awka. In 2014, he was appointed a visiting Professor of Geophysics (with concentration on oil and gas exploration) in the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria. He rose through the ranks in his career and was assessed and promoted to the rank of a full Professor of Applied Geophysics of the Federal University, Gusau in 2015.
“Even the Registrar who was in office when he was assessed and promoted reportedly approached the Court to swear to an affidavit attesting to all the due and lawful processes upon which he was found worthy of such elevation”
“Odoh was a researcher with the Society of Exploration Geophysics, (SEG) at Oklahoma, USA between 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011 and to his credit within this period, his research in the area of Exploration Geophysics provided economic decision-making tools towards reducing failures: in groundwater exploitation; reservoir characterization and prospect mapping for World Bank Community Projects, Anambra-Imo River Basin among others.”
“He is also a member of the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, London, and Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorations, Lagos as well as a member of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, Abuja. His scientific academic research works and articles numbers well over 132 publications in reputable national and International journals.
He disclosed that Odoh has served the University in different capacities as Director, Centre for Water Resources Research for the South-East, Coordinator, UNIZIK’s Seismic Observatory Station; and Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor on Academic Matters, to mention but a few while his credentials have never been brought to doubts or questions by any of these his colleagues now trying desperately to pull him down.
“Rather and within the said periods, Professor Odoh has to his credit, some conspicuous achievements, including but not limited to; the attraction of about $1.7m donation to Nnamdi Azikiwe University from Schlumberger, the pioneering of the first ever Computer-Based Test, CBT UTME in UNIZIK as Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor on Academic matters in 2014 and the securing of a N150 million Naira World Bank grant to establish the National Water Resources capacity network building centre in UNIZIK.
“He is also credited with founding the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Earthquake Monitoring Centre, leading Nnamdi Azikiwe University to win the 1st Prize Imperial Barrel Award African Championship in 2013 among other numerous achievements. We may wish to ask; If a man who has accomplished all these and more is not qualified to be a Vice-Chancellor, then who should? “
He also gave an insight on the selection process that produced Odoh as the 7th Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK by the Governing Council.
“Without prejudice to whatever may be before the Courts of Law in Nigeria, there is no gainsaying the fact that the race for the Seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University had been won and lost since Thursday, October 29th, 2024.
“This followed the successful interview of 15 out of 18 applicants by the Selection Committee after which Professor Odoh emerged top with an outstanding 90 points. Before the successful conclusion of the free, fair and square exercise, there were contentions as expected, by some of the applicants over the advertisement notice published by the Governing Council of the institution and a National Industrial Court, here in Awka, presided over by Hon. Justice John Targema gave a consent judgment validating the position of the Governing Council on its scoring templates among other orders it had deemed necessary under the circumstance in a suit brought by Professor Anthony Okoye.
“Already, the said consent judgment paved the way for the council to proceed with its template as well as other well-laid-out plans to ensure a smooth conduct of the exercise.
He said the Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe led Governing Council also ensured fair-hearing, contrary to some Media reports by replying the letter of the Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, UNIZIK Chapter and urged them to take their case to the National Universities Commission, NUC.
“The academic regulatory body had on several occasions maintained that the West African Post Graduate College of Medicine certificate obtained by Doctors which the various Medical associations cannot be considered as an equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy Degree, urging them to rather introduce Ph.D programmes in Clinical studies.
“We recall that the ASUU National Chairman, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke had in an interview insisted in the case of UNILAG VC that it does not consider members who possess the said fellowship as having or being an equivalent of a Ph.D.
“On the claims that a quorum was not formed during the Senate’s interview session, the University authorities through the Registrar who is herself a cerebral legal practitioner with a clear understanding of the law and all its implications had replied that a quorum was duly constituted in compliance with the statutory requirements set forth in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, Cap 139 (as amended), LFN 2024.
She had added that; “In accordance with Section 6(a) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Standing Orders of the Governing Council, the quorum requirement mandates the presence of five members, including at least one of the following: the Vice-Chancellor or his Deputy, one appointee of the Visitor, and one appointee of the Senate”
“Further to straighten the records as have already been sufficiently clarified by the Registrar in response to the spurious claims of the Federal Ministry of Education that due process was not followed in appointment of the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University, it is germane to elucidate first and foremost; that notices were duly issued by the Registrar of the University/Secretary to the Council, Barr. Mrs Rosemary Nwokike dated 27th October, 2024 inviting all Senate and Council members, relevant representatives of the Federal Government, including the Federal Character Commission which was represented by the Honourable Commissioner representing Anambra State and the State Coordinator, Mrs. Patricia N. Nwankwo to monitor the exercise.”
“A reply from the Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Hauwa Sani Muhammed for the Executive Chairman so expressly directed the aforesaid Staff of the commission to represent it and it was complied with.
He disclosed that available records showing the grading of the Selection Committee for the 15 interviewed candidates under 10 key thematic areas earlier listed by the Selection Committee as the scoring template showed that Professor Alex Asigbo emerged the first runner-up with a total of 65 points while Professor Chinedu Eze became the second runner-up with a total of 57 points whereas, Professor Oluka S.I polled 53 points to emerge the third runner-up.
On Prof. Odoh’s broad vision for a greater UNIZIK and why he deserves the support of all, Otu said it was heartwarming that Odoh, in his pragmatic capacity, made clear his bold vision for a disruptive development model in teaching and learning in the great Nnamdi Azikiwe University during his massively-attended Town Hall Meeting with the University Community at the Auditorium Complex of the Awka campus which he envisions will shape NAU for the future it deserves.
“The Odoh we know believes what he says and says only what he believes in. He had made it clear that, “Our vision for NAU is both ambitious and imperative. We stand at the threshold of a rapidly evolving global landscape where the convergence of technology, innovation, and human ingenuity reshapes every facet of society. In this context, our mission transcends traditional academic boundaries; we must become a beacon of forward-thinking education, a crucible innovation, and a catalyst for societal progress. Central to our vision is the commitment to nurturing graduates who are not just jobseekers, job-creators and problem-solvers but global entrepreneurs”, he had disclosed amidst cheers.
“Together, we will build an institution that not only adapts to the future but shapes it- an NAU that stands as a testament to the power of education to transform lives and societies”. He quoted Odoh as saying.
“It is already in the news that Odoh, in outlining his key projects and strategic initiatives upon assumption of office made a bold and visionary promise of attracting and investing an estimated N70 Billion Naira to the institution in the next five years and raising another N10 Billion by co-funding critical infrastructure and Corporate Social Responsibility.
“This is in addition to setting his eagle vision on investing in and accomplishing eleven other strategic initiatives including the building of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, Staff and Student Hostel Complex and a 150-Room Hotel with Events and Meeting Rooms to provide comfort and security to visitors to the university and its environs through accommodation and conference services. He also plans a Greenhouse Farming Project at the Ifite Ogwari Faculty of Agriculture Campus to implement and advance precision agriculture practices.
“To accomplish his lofty ideas for the University, Odoh plans for the formation of five strategic Implementation Committees that will meet periodically and provide quarterly progress reports to ensure accountability and transparency.”
Otu said that as an achiever, Prof. Odoh wants to succeed in the execution of his disruptive development model as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the great Nnamdi Azikiwe University and therefore needs the support, encouragement and prayers of all and sundry to sail through.
