By Kelvin Emeka Okeke
Amb. Mbadiwe led Governing Council is engendering positive changes in the overall best interest of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
A wind of positive change anchored on the right vision for growth, development, unprecedented advancement and excellence is on course at Nnamdi Azikiwe University under the Chairman and Pro-Chancellorship of Amb. Greg Mbadiwe.
Contrary to the narratives some obscurants are pushing, the reality on ground is that the Governing Council Members and the current University Management Team are working in tandem to push the frontiers of knowledge, research, teaching, learning and administration, to greater heights as enunciated by the founding fathers of the university named after the Great Zik of Africa.
And let it be stated the way it is, that it is only those who are averse to the wheels of the positive change in motion at the university that are complaining and fighting the system. But this is not unexpected because in the words of Woodrow Wilson “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.”
Those who prospered in the old order are no more comfortable. They refuse to see the bigger picture opening up in the University and they are fighting back.
Harold Wilson stated that “He who rejects change is the architect of decay while the only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.”
Separating true facts from fiction and embellishments, it must be stated for record purposes that there is no contention or controversy over the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
For the records, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu was never officially appointed as Acting VC by the Governing Council, which holds the exclusive power to make such appointments.
He merely oversaw the office in temporal capacity following the directives of the National Universities Commission (NUC) pending inauguration of the Governing Council.
After the Council inauguration, Prof. Ikechebelu was directed by the Council to convene a Senate meeting to nominate two neutral professors for the Ag. VC position, but he disregarded this directive.
Consequently, the Senate held an emergency meeting and forwarded two names, leading to the Council appointing a new Acting VC.
As for the uninformed insinuating that the selection process for a substantive Vice Chancellor has been marred by exclusion clauses, discriminatory requirements, and a lack of transparency, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had long settled the issue and clarified that Medical Fellowship is not equivalent to a PhD.
This declaration by NUC has long resolved all debates within academic circles about the qualifications required for university leadership roles, such as a Vice-Chancellor.
The NUC emphasized that a PhD is essential and distinct from any fellowship, including those from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, (NPMCN) West African College of Physicians, (WACP) or West African College of Surgeons (WACS). This decision underscores the importance of a PhD in academic administration and research.
To be specific, in a circular to Vice chancellors and the Registrar, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, dated March 3rd, 2020 and signed by the Director of Academic Planning of NUC, Dr. N.H.Saliu, the commission said it conferred with officials of the NPMCN and other critical stakeholders on the way forward in the delivery of quality medical education in Nigeria.
He said after exhaustive deliberation at series of meetings held between the commission and the management of NPMCN, stakeholders unanimously agreed to introduce Ph.D. programmes in the clinical sciences in the Nigerian University System, for the postgraduate training of interested medical practitioners and for their career progression, especially for those in the academia.
“The certification to practice however, is not the same as acquiring basic expertise as a teacher and researcher. For all academics, irrespective of their disciplines, the certification to teach, research, train and mentor other researchers is what a Ph.D confers”
The stipulated years mapped out as criteria for eligibility to vie for the position of Vice Chancellor for the Ph.D holder is in line with extant laws and requirements in Nigeria and was never invented to exclude anyone.
It was Barbara Kingsolver who said that “The changes we dread most may contain our salvation.” The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Amb. Greg Mbadiwe recently reaffirmed the Council and its members’ dedication and commitment towards contributing significantly to the institution’s growth and development in line with the ideals of the Great Zik of Africa.
The Council has also assured of promoting peace, sanity and progress in the university as well as its highest exhibition of professionalism and transparency in the VC selection process.
It is therefore imperative that the naysayers open their minds to be receptive to the innovations the Council is bringing to the university as George Bernard Shaw said that “Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
Barack Obama stated that “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Charles Darwin on his part noted that “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” While Nathaniel Branden summed it up that “The first step toward change is awareness while the second step is acceptance.”
This is therefore a passionate appeal to all stakeholders, interest groups and interested parties and all others to embrace the wind of change heralding a new dawn at Nnamdi AzIkiwe University.
This is in line with the vision of the Founding Fathers of the University towards having an institution that would serve as a springboard for “socio-economic, scientific and technological revival in Nigeria whose motto would always rotate on the wheels of “Discipline, Self-Reliance and Excellence”.
Members of the Governing Council are men of proven sterling pedigree and impeccable character. The Council should be allowed to translate its lofty visions for the university into reality because they mean well for all. Let those fanning the embers of discord and unnecessary tension desist forthwith.
