By Uzoh Mike
Clinical Professors of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, in Anambra state have protested the rationale behind what they called ‘favouring and excluding’ Stakeholders from contesting for office of the Vice Chancellor of the institution.
This is coming on the heels of the stalled meeting of the Senate Committee meeting convened by the NAU authority last weekend in its effort to select delegates who will vote in the institution’s VC.
Speaking to the Guardian in an interview, immediately after the postponed Senate meeting till reasonable corrections are made in the university set modalities, a concerned stakeholder, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Prof Berthram Obi-Nwosu, expressed worry over the exclusion of clinical professors from the Vice-Chancellor candidacy.
Obi-Nwosu who echoed the minds of his colleagues, said they condemned In all ramifications, the set criteria, described the current stipulations as very ‘obnoxious’.
He canvassed the need for the criteria that will accurately reflect the qualifications of clinical academics, adding, “We totally condemn the contentious criteria set up for office of the Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK.
“We strive for a cancellation of this advert and a new one that acknowledges ‘clinical professors’ qualification, … Segregating during the election process is unacceptable. It disregards the established standards of our institution.
“We have protested, and handed over our protest letter to the Acting VC NAU, Awka, Prof Carol C, Arine-Umobi. The first VC, of UNIZIK, Prof Nwakor Festus now dead, was a fellow. The immediate past VC of UNN, was a fellow. So what I am trying to say is that all these things are standard.
“In the University of Ibadan which is one of the highest universities in the country, they do not go into what degree you have before you become a professor”, he said, commending Prof Arine-Umobi for giving them a listening ear.
Meanwhile, othe groups in the University community also staged protests, displaying placards with slogans like “Dissolve Mbadiwe’s Council,” “Save UNIZIK,” and “Academic Excellence, Not Cash-and-Carry”, to show their solidarity, various groups within the university.
The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) vowed not to allow the status quo, and condemned what they collectively termed as a deliberate effort to exclude its members from the VC candidacy.
“Following an emergency general meeting, MDCAN issued a communiqué demanding the retraction of the advertisement, warning that failure to comply within seven days could lead to a total shutdown of medical education at the university”, spokesperson of the group who would not want her name mentioned said.
It would be recalled that the assembly of senate representatives had alleged that their attempts to engage him in constructive dialogue fell on deaf ears.
They also criticized Mbadiwe for being insensitive to the needs of the university and unsuitable for his role, echoing concerns that have grown since his council took office.
Meanwhile, controversy trailed Senate Committee meeting held at NAU Awka, Auditorium, weekend, for selection of delegetes to elect a new Vice Chancellor of University as stakeholders boiled in visible anger, arguments and protests.
The meeting ended in a stalemate, with many Don’s rising in protest against what they termed the ‘contentious criteria set for the Vice-Chancellor position.
They also condemned the Pro-Chancellor Greg Mbadiwe’s “bullying” tactics and overwhelmingly rejected the advertisement for the Vice-Chancellor position, which stipulates as follows among others:
“That candidates must have attracted a N400 million grant to the university, which they descrbed as a “cash-and-carry” approach that will undermines the institution’s academic integrity.
“The requirement stating that only candidates holding a PhD could apply, even as they suggested that equivalent qualifications including medical fellowships should also be considered essential.
They alleged that Mbadiwe is insensitive to the needs of NAU, insisting that he is not suitable for the office.
