UNIZIK: Implement Industrial Court judgement, return Odoh as VC, students tell FG

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By Madu Obi

Some students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) , Awka, have called on the Federal Government to fully implement the judgment of the National Industrial Court and reinstate Professor Bernard Odoh as the Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

The students, under the aegis of Nigerian Students and Youth Association, Unizik chapter, urged the Minister of Education to act without further delay in reinstating Professor Odoh, in strict compliance with the court’s ruling.

President of the group, Mr Chisom Nwangwu, recalled that Professor Odoh was removed from office by the Federal Ministry of Education following allegations that he was not a professor and was therefore unqualified to occupy the position.

However, the court has affirmed that Professor Odoh was duly promoted to the rank of Professor in 2015 and consequently ordered that all his rights, entitlements, and privileges be fully restored.

Nwangwu stressed that respect for court judgments is fundamental to nation-building and must not be treated as optional. He urged Nigerians to learn to obey court orders if the country is to build a society firmly rooted in the rule of law.

He further expressed concern that the continued failure to implement the court’s ruling, particularly in a situation where the office of the Vice-Chancellor was never vacant in any legal or practical sense, set a dangerous precedent.

“This persistent disregard for a valid court order undermines democratic values and sends the wrong signal to citizens. Such actions should not be allowed to define us as a people or as a democratic society", Nwangwu said.

He noted that Professor Odoh is the first alumnus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University to be appointed Vice-Chancellor, describing his removal as regrettable and driven by malicious claims intended to frustrate a young academic with a clear and progressive vision for the overall development of the University.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter, pointing out that his administration is founded on the principles of justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law.

Such an intervention, he added, would reaffirm public confidence in democratic institutions and reassure young Nigerians that justice, fairness, and equality before the law, remain attainable in Nigeria.