Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University has granted dismissed lecturers a one-month window to appeal their termination, insisting that due process was followed before the university council approved the dismissals.
ANAMBRA – The management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, has given dismissed members of staff a one-month window to appeal the decision of the university council that terminated their appointments.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kate Omenugha, disclosed this while interacting with journalists in Igbariam on Thursday.
Last month, the university council approved the dismissal of Prof. Chike Osegbue, Prof. C. C. Nwabachili, Prof. Ifeoma Kakulu, Dr. I. H. Iheukwumere, and Mr. Emeka Nwabunnia, all from the Department of Microbiology, over various allegations.
According to Omenugha, the affected lecturers were dismissed for offences ranging from sexual exploitation of students to ethical misconduct and other disciplinary breaches.
She maintained that the university strictly adhered to due process before the council reached its decision.
Addressing the dismissal of Prof. Osegbue, the vice-chancellor dismissed claims that the action was connected to his participation in the university’s vice-chancellor selection process.
She explained that his dismissal was based on allegations that he failed to teach an assigned postgraduate course and refused to appear before a panel constituted to investigate the matter.
Omenugha said she was not concerned about the legal action instituted by Osegbue, adding that difficult decisions were sometimes necessary in the interest of the institution.
The vice-chancellor also denied allegations of a coordinated media campaign against her before and after her appointment, insisting that such attacks would not distract her from repositioning the university.
She said her administration is focused on improving the institution through what she described as a programme of viability, positive visibility and value re-engineering.
Highlighting her credentials, Omenugha noted that she was Nigeria’s second Professor of Mass Communication and had previously served for eight years as Commissioner for Education, six years as Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, as well as an international consultant.
She also outlined ongoing development initiatives, including the construction of a leisure park, the establishment of an economic tree orchard and a target to plant one million trees within five years to create a more environmentally friendly campus.
The vice-chancellor expressed concern over security challenges around the university’s host communities and appealed to stakeholders to support the construction of additional hostel accommodation to encourage more students to reside on campus.
She further commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his continued investment in the university, particularly the ongoing infrastructure development at the institution’s Uli campus.
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