Inside Chukwu Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Varsity crisis: VC fires back

The Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Prof Kate Omenugha, has explained the reason why some aggrieved lecturers left the Anambra-based varsity.

The VC explained that, contrary to insinuations in certain quarters, that one of the lecturers, Prof Chike Osegbue, was removed because he contested the Vice Chancellorship position with
the VC, it was disclosed that the lecturer was sacked over alleged abandonment of duty without authorisation or justification.

Omenugha clarified this during a mid-term media briefing at the VC’s conference room, Igbariam Campus of the university.

Osegbue was among five staff members recently sacked by the Governing Council of the University over allegations of a series of infractions.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr Harrison Madubueze, disclosed this during a press conference.

Addressing newsmen at the institution, Omenugha maintained that Osegbue was sacked over consistent reneging on his primary duty of teaching in the university.

According to the VC, when the issue of dereliction of duty was uncovered, Osegbue was issued with a query by his Head of Department, but he responded with insults at the Office of the Vice Chancellor and the Governor of the State instead of answering the query.

Her words, “Prof Osegbue had students who were preparing for their Master’s Course in Political Science, and he never appeared to teach them. When his HOD issued him a query, he wrote all kinds of insults against me and the Governor, insisting that the university does not have a VC.

“After that, the university Registrar issued him a query, and he responded in the same manner. A panel was set up to look into the allegation, and he was duly invited. Yet, he never appeared.

“The panel then sat and made its recommendation to the university’s Governing Council, and the Council approved his sack. The Council even gave him 30days to respond in an appeal on why the sack should not stand, and they are waiting for him.

“Therefore, anyone making allegations that Osegbue was sacked because he contested the Vice Chancellorship position with me is telling a lie.

“There are also other contestants in that VC election who are still working with my administration, occupying key positions. Why are they not victimised too?

“Come to think of it, I was the acting VC; I have served as a Head of Department and Director in a Federal University; I have served as Commissioner for Education in Anambra for 8 years; I have served the Presidency in various capacities.

“I also have over 800 citations in publications. Compare it with that of Prof Osegbue and know whether he stood a chance against me in that contest.”

While noting that her administration was more focused on delivering its vision of making the institution viable and visible, the VC said she could not afford to allow her image and dignity to be maligned by the antics of individuals with little or nothing to offer the university.