AS the curtains are gradually drawn on the tenure of the 6-months acting Vice Chancellorship of Prof Polycarp Chigbu on the 16th of February 2025 at one of the nations foremost Ivory Towers, University of Nigeria Nsukka, expectedly all the contending candidates have intensified and consequently raised the tempo of their efforts towards clinching the exalted position.
This have been ongoing in forms of wide consultations, schemings, high-wire politicking, horse-trading,as well as all manners of inherent conspiracies.
In the same vein, all the necessary machineries required for the process of appointment and replacement, are being activated and put in place by the General Ike Nwachukwu-led University Governing Council and the University Senate who are charged with the seemingly arduous task of sieving through the many credentials and appraising the track records all the pre-qualified contenders, which have the below listed contestants as some of the frontrunners;:
(1) Prof Romanus Ezeokonkwo
He is the current Deputy Vice Chancellor(, Administration),and have had in the past acted as Vice Chancellor for two months.
He is from Anambra state.
(2) Prof Obinna Onwujekwe
He had in past also taken three-time shot at UNN Vice Chancellorship without success.
He is from Anambra state.
(3) Prof Daniel Nwachukwu
He is the current Deputy Vice Chancellor at the Enugu campus of UNN.
He has 8 years of Professorship in the academia to his credit, which seem to have put him on a disadvantage on the qualification threshold.
He is from Ebonyi state.
(4) Prof Paulinus Ugwuoke
He is from Enugu state, and also the chairman of ‘Nsukka Professors Association’.
Though, he is reported not to have gone through undergraduate education, but luckily progressed to Professorship after his postgraduate studies at the University.
(5) Prof Malachy Ugwueze
He is a former Deputy Vice Chancellor at UNN,who have also acted as a Vice Chancellor to one of the privately owned universities,were his stint was cut short.
(6) Prof Jerry Ugwuanyi
He is a fine gentleman and a former council member.
He is also understood to be the preferred amongst contestants of Nsukka extraction.
(7) Prof Val Ekechukwu
He is said to have previously contested without success, for the Vice Chancellor position of many universities in the South East.
Though, rumored to be a preferred candidate of the present acting Vice Chancellor who incidentally are both of the same Mbaise extraction in Imo state.
(8) Prof Obioma Njoku
He is the current Dean of Post graduate studies at UNN, and also in the past taken many unsuccessful shots at the position of Vice Chancellorship of same university.
(9) Prof Bond Anyaehie
He is about the youngest by age, but not by years of Professorship.
He is the past Provost of several colleges of Medicine, including the University of Nigeria.
He believed to possess very bright chances due to successful pubic service, especially in his state, Imo with the current dispensation.
There is no doubt whatsoever that a prime citadel of learning in the caliber of University of Nigeria Nsukka with its associated preponderance of highly qualified administrative and academic candidature, can be found wanting in attracting the quality of contestants to fill the vacant position, but definitely one out of the lot with the requisite credentials, experience, track records, exposure, apposite dispositions and morals, will meet with the set qualification indices of the selection/ appointing body for eventual emergence.
Interestingly, factoring into consideration the Spartan pedigree and professional antecedents of the man who have been charged with the responsibility of conducting the selection exercise Gen Ike Nwachukwu (rtd),as the University Pro Chancellor/Chairman of Governing Council, alongside other council members and the University Senate are adequately primed without any prejudices, emotions and sentiments to spot the primus inter peres amongst this array of eminently qualified candidates in their respective rights.
As all the contestants are wished good luck through the selection exercise, most importantly the Governing Council, ditto, the Selection Committee are hereby enjoined to avail all candidates the desired level playing ground to prove their respective mettles through an expected seamless process.
It is therefore the expectation of the general public that the board which is undoubtedly made up of men/women with impeccable characters will discharge their onerous assignment with the much desired diligence, devoid of any fear or favor by picking the best of the pack.
- Chief Isilebo, a public relations consultant,analyst writes from Abuja.
