By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu has said that academic activities in the institution is back in full force in the aftermath of the eight months industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Prof. Ikechebelu made this disclosure in a chat with newsmen on Wednesday at his office.
He stated that the revised 2021/2022 academic session is currently ongoing as Lecturers are back to class and delivering lectures for the students at all levels.
Prof. Ikechebelu stated that as a demonstration of the fact that the normal University academic process is back on track, the institution last Wednesday and Thursday held a two-day Freshers Orientation programme for the new intakes followed by the Matriculation Ceremony for the current session which in its usual form is faculty based.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor disclosed that the first semester of the revised academic session will wind off in December 2022 with the first semester examination expected to hold before the Christmas and New Year breaks.
He said that the second semester will commence in the new year. The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology said that with the momentum in place and if the University pull through, then it will be safe to say that the institution did not lose any academic session.
He also said that the gesture exhibited by the teaching and non-teaching staff of the institution will compel the Federal Government to do the needful by payment of salaries of University Staff to enhance their commitment to duties and service delivery.
Prof Ikechebelu appreciated parents, staff, students and the leadership of the management, particularly the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS, a visionary leader with his vision for ‘Project 200’ and of recent the palliatives to members of staff of the institution.
He also disclosed that UNIZIK is one of the 12 Universities rated in this year’s Times Higher Education World University Rankings which shows that the University is making good strides academically and otherwise and she is poised to do more in raising its visibility.