By Paul Obaji
The 2023 Ebonyi gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof Bernard Ifeanyichukwu Odoh, has been appointed the 7th Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka.
Odoh's appointment was a result of his excellent performance in the selection interview held on Tuesday.
The university’s Governing Council, chaired by Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, announced Odoh’s selection.
Mbadiwe highlighted the former governorship candidate's achievements over 18 other candidates who vied for the position.
Handing over the appointment letter, Mbadiwe explained that the appointment aligned with section four of the First Schedule, Nnamdi Azikiwe Act CAP 139, LFN 2004, and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2007.
According to him, the appointment would be effective for a five-year term, commencing on October 29, 2024, with terms set by the Federal Government.
In his acceptance speech, Odoh expressed gratitude to the Governing Council and the selection team for their confidence in him.
Odoh said: "I am the first alumni of the university to hold this position, and I earned my first, second, and third degrees in the university, so I fully understand the university's challenges.
"Judge me by my performance, not hearsay. I am here to serve the university.
"I am here to serve, and our university will advance.”
Recall that Professor Odoh is a renowned scholar in Applied Geophysics and was born on 5th August 1975 in Ezza North, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
He became a professor at the Federal University, Gusau, in 2015 and previously served as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Ebonyi State.
He returned to UNIZIK in 2019 after resigning from being the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government.
Odoh is a member of several professional organizations, including the Society of Exploration Geophysics (USA), American Association of Petroleum Geologists, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists, and the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society.
In his tenure at UNIZIK, he has held various leadership positions, including Senate membership from 2010-2014, Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor on Academic Matters, and Coordinator of the UTME Exercise.
With over 120 research publications, he has contributed extensively to international journals, e-books, and monographs. Additionally, Odoh served on the board of the UNIZIK Confucius Institute, was part of the university’s Admission and Examination Monitoring Committee, and directed the Center for Water Resources Capacity Building Network for the Southeast Zone.
Odoh's appointment is anticipated to bring considerable expertise and commitment to the university’s mission of excellence.
