Unizik VC Saga: Effective in 2015, I Was Appointed a Professor at Federal University of Gusau - Odoh

[@UchechukwuKalu]

Prof Odoh my geophysics lecturer back then in Ebsu,very sound and intelligent❤

[@oduozoemenapaul6282]

Prof Odo you are sound, and you are eminently qualified.

[@babajideoladayo4541]

This is a brilliant professor and I am very sorry for the difficult situation he has found himself in. I think there is some merit in his argument and the law should be followed to the letter in both his appointment and his removal from office. We should not set a dangerous precedent that will haunt our university system for a long time to come.

[@oduozoemenapaul6282]

God is with you Prof. They are just envying you, but God will fight for you and give you victory.

[@kamaldeenaolatunji7282]

Envying him for having what non of them could ever imagine to have?!

[@ucheeze6220]

I believe everything this Prof has said here. The discrimination among the Igbos in South East is real.

[@ikennabenz]

It's unacceptable to bring ethnicity into the matter. It's a particularly low move for the professor to use his ethnicity as a justification for his removal.

[@ogamini]

And what if that's the actual reason?? We have seen a lot of instances in Nigeria where ethnicity has been the cause of witchhunt and bias.. You can't rule out ethnic bias, this is the Nigeria we know..

[@kingsleynwofe1244]

If you live in the south east then you would know that ebonyians are seen as 3rd class citizens by other south easterners

[@iku5243]

No1 This Prof sounds so convincing No 2. Minister of education is a medical doctor, so you can understand why doctors want to equate fellowship to ph D and become VC

[@okoroEmekaHarrison]

This Man is innocent, I have learnt in this world that your words is you.

[@obilosaviour5742]

Don't talk about what you don't know.

[@ucheeze6220]

​@@obilosaviour5742What do you know that he doesn't know? It's people like you that blatantly ignore and suppress the truth that are the problem of this country.

[@digitalmachines]

Come on, guys, does the president have the moral and legal standing to do what he has just done. This is a shame. How is this act of in subordination. This is why Nigeria will never move forward. Even the press gets carried away and gets cut up in this idolization of the president. In UK the prime minister is challenged at every opportunity which keeps him in line.

[@christianalegu3508]

Imagine someone with an Olawole certificate from Chicago sacking a prof. Bcos he is holding a stolen mandate without any regard for the rule of law. This can't happen even in the zoo!

[@chinozioko5745]

Travesty of justice.

[@constubeable]

😂😂😂😂

[@chy788]

Dr Abatti WAWA is people of Enugu State not Ebonyi State. Also Enugu people are proud Wawa people who asked for Wawa State b4. There is nothing derogatory about Wawa. The Nigerian press often claim to know SE more than the SE people.

[@Chinweubaa]

I am a proud WAWA man anytime any day.

[@nwanchamaalu8017]

Was ebonyi not part of enugu in 1996. They're all wawa

[@nwambekeevaristus3689]

Wawa is people of Enugu and Ebonyi.

[@justinamourine5922]

Is only Enugu people that speak that language WAWA and am proud to be one. So even if Ebonyi is under Enugu before, it is not the language of Ebonyi.

[@chineduonuorah]

@@nwambekeevaristus3689 Nsukka people are not Wawa people and Ebonyi people are not either.

[@igotalkcomedian7333]

President where no get certificates the question professor

[@ekeneshedrack7601]

Mr. Abati, it appears you forgot your brain at home... Is Nigeria now under dictatorship? Why will the order be above the rule of law? Your questions are below zero

[@sylvesteragbo6055]

Please ask that nonsense layer turned journalist.

[@hillaryojei6896]

Prof, you’re intelligent…Keep it up sir

[@mmaduabuchiemmanuel5442]

Mmaduabuchi... No man is God! At the end the will of God will be done ✔

[@constubeable]

Rufai should have been on this interview to put it in proper perspective.

[@ahmedaliyu4641]

The current trajectory of our university in Nigeria raises significant concerns. It is perplexing to witness an individual claim the title of professor with a purported total of 97 publications, especially when fewer than 10% of these publications meet recognized metrics such as the h-index and i10-index. These indicators suggest a lack of substantive contribution to the academic community. It is particularly alarming that this individual is seeking a vice-chancellorship at a prestigious institution like UniZik. Such aspirations are deeply concerning and warrant serious consideration.

[@ikennachris-okoro1225]

The 1st comment that is addressing the major issue not all these ethnic comments

[@sylvesteragbo6055]

This Ruben abati is not supposed to be a journalist at all, he is so sentimental and unprofessional in addressing serious matters. He is even a lawyer. Look at him trivialize such a critical issue. This Prof. Is sound an fit for the job.

[@constubeable]

Well said.

[@ugowilliams8437]

Dictator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has happened to this young professor. A matter is still in the court for determination, but the hammer of dismissal landed from the presidency in Abuja. Since the Ministry of Education is a party to the pending court case, wisdom should have restrained the party to hold on till it is proven that the embattled VC is not eligible or qualified to be appointed into that position. This young man has been robbed by discriminatory elements in Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the Nigerian political system. Too bad.

[@princesssamuel830]

Its people who are unqualified like our president that will debate on this matter

[@princesssamuel830]

Dr. Abati what is it?

[@chineduasogwa5208]

I think this prof is very sound, more sound than the medical doctor and professor who came to speak against his appointment earlier on this station. Due process needs to be followed. We need to avoid the resort to lawlessness.

[@chineduchidi4404]

Dr Abatti, I'm sorry but your journalism here was very poor. Engaging the issues raised on both sides Prof Odoh has raised pertinent queries which suggests lawlessness in this country. Whether the conspiracy is due to ethnicity or not.

[@ikennachris-okoro1225]

I only became interested in this thing because he mentioned marginalization of Ebonyi state people. Visit his google scholar page, what you notice is that his research output is not too high in all honesty. For instance his google scholar say 97 publications (87 in referenceable journals). He published 30 papers in the last 2 year with 3 citations in the same period. His h-index is 10 and Citation count overtime is 405 in 2024. If he became a full professor in 2015, I'll be asking what was the criteria Federal university, Gusau used to promote him. The numbers are not the best honestly.

[@uchechukwuokafor9184]

Thank you for this great insight but many of us do not understand how bad or good these metrics are. It would make more sense if you can cite what should qualify as great record using same metrics so we can compare and draw our own conclusion. Meanwhile, I am an anambraian and Unizik is my alma mater 2010 set of mechanical engineering. It pains my heart to see this crisis befall my great institution. I agree there may be some sort of ethic bias in this whole thing but I actually think another reason could be that people feel betrayed because they feel he bought/bribed his way through the process added to the fact that he is equally qualified to run for the office. Anyone who ran for governorship position is no small man and will definitely have the required financial backing to buy his way to a small position like the VC of a school. I think this is where the problem is emanating from. My Dad was a governing council member of a federal college of education in Nigeria and I remember vividly when they were in the process of apppointing a new Provost for their school. It was war at that time. I wasn't part of the process but I could feel the heat coming from my dad who was at the heart of the process. Every single body(the whole is who in Nigeria) had vested interest on who emerged the Provost at that time. Including some Catholic priests who had their candidate. At some point, my dad was so scared for his life and heavily regretted ever accepting that role as a governing council member. My Dad being a catholic was embarrassed and even cursed in front of the whole congregation with my dad and our whole family in attendance by the priest during the celebration of the holy mass just because the priest's candidate did not win. It was war. That was just for Provost position. Then imagine when it comes to VC. It is even more competitive now that VCs now have a big role to play in our Nigerian election process. I can understand how very intense the battle for this position can be.

[@nnamdieusebiuseze2352]

Zoo! Tinubu without WAEC certificate interfering and destroying our universities and appointment of professor. Very very sad indeed.

[@okechukwuegonu627]

The Visitor can only remove a sitting VC via the Governing Council of the university...not via a press release. That's the major takeaway from this interview. POSTSCRIPT: Dr. Abati was unprofessional and unenlightened in this interview.

[@peuplades]

Abati shut up, who is the president, ?

[@jacintachisom1950]

Like what is he saying

[@El-vilde545]

The last worthy VC of UNiZik is Prof. Egboka

[@CatholicClip]

I miss Rufai in this interview

[@rocity584]

This man said the truth. This whole conspiracies is because this man is from ebonyi state. Anambra people are terrible.

[@olaoniboji]

Sir, what has been your leadership role in the university before your appointment. the only position you have held since you became professor was Secretary to Ebonyi Government?

[@CorneliusChika]

Did the law say that one must have been a leader in a particular institution before he will be appointed a VC?

[@kissingerorumwensodia2907]

Did you take the time to go through the advert for the position he contested?

[@kingnnaemeka2231]

You are asking why he want to impose himself. Someone contested for an office and you call it imposition.

[@AffectionateBaseballStad-in9re]

The Visitor was not well briefed

[@FrankUde-z8m]

The same due process mr peter obi is talking about.. we are now into dictatorship system

[@kingnnaemeka2231]

A journalist asking personal questions and showing jealousy that someone is seeking to become a VC. I hope you can see that the man answered your questions satisfactorily. What do you mean if he wants to become a VC bcos he failed to become a state governor. The man is absolutely intelligent

[@ugwuemmanuelobioma3165]

Enough imof this shenanigans. When will Nigeria become a country 😢?

[@ethelanarado6459]

Greed for power, And delusion of omnipotence!

[@ChimaobiNwagbara]

The last time I checked, Dr Abatti tongue lashed actors in the UI VC saga, positing that ethnicity or cronyism should not play any role in the appointment of VCs; besides, I thought Arise stood for the rule of law, what has changed in this instance??? Rotus seems to be the only one with the right appeal on the matter. Can you lot remain consistent at Arise please.

[@Ohanwedike]

Abati, is a constituted authority above the law? As journalists you people are supporting impunity as against upholding the rule of law and ensuring the sanctity of the rule of law.

[@festusajayi8917]

Follow due process for the removal of the VC based on the recommendation of the governing council to the visitor. Mr President is simply an agbero

[@ogamini]

I think Arise News should fire this Rotus guy.. Each time i watch any program he is involved in, he just clearly shows his incompetence. Aren't there better persons to handle the role he is being given?

[@kamaldeenaolatunji7282]

Bcs hes not an obidiot

[@okechukwuegonu627]

Rotus is a competent media personality please.

[@MauriceUzowuruVictoria]

Tout ​@@kamaldeenaolatunji7282

[@ogamini]

I'm sure you don't watch Arise as much as I do.. you're just one of those anti-igbo people. Maybe one of you is his brother or relative, that's why you're speaking with bias. It's funny how you label everyone a supporter of Peter Obi, which shows how unreasonable and unintelligent you are. What makes you think I live in Nigeria, or I'm igbo, or I'm eligible to vote? Nigeria will never grow with people who think like you lots..

[@chideraojiugo9296]

Prof is absolutely correct, not only Ebonyi state people are discriminated in the academic environment by Anambra people. The word Wawa was introduced by Anambra people to describe the people of Enugu state. Go to UNN and see what they did during the tenure of Prof Nebo in university of Nigeria Nsukka! What Prof odo is saying is very correct.

[@ucheeze6220]

That's how we will live happily ever after in our Biafra. Mtcheew. ☹️☹️

[@archi3094]

What really happened in the early days that made Anambra people to hate Ebonyi this bad?

[@ayodejispecialties6018]

An acting VC has been appointed. Your appointment in the first place is faulty and cannot stand. So leave first and continue with the court cases. If you win the university will accept you for who you are. The hurried nature of your appointment is unfortunate

[@olaoniboji]

Sir, why would you write to Pro-Chancellor for verification of Document instead of to the VC or registrar?

[@nwambekeevaristus3689]

Tinubu will destroy everything left in this country.

[@spyMan-m1b]

He was teaching since no problem. Once he wants to aspire, then he is no longer qualified.

[@princesssamuel830]

Please which Certificate does the President have? Does he know what it means and takes to be PhD holder talk more of Professor?

[@mcugochukwumcugochukw]

I like this prof. The president was ill advised. If yu want to remove him, remove him legally. Follow a due process.

[@tobsmabs1921]

Oga Sir...No matter how genuine your case may be, you can't kick against the government unfortunately....If they don't want you, you have to go...It's the way it is Sir. Don't embarrass yourself by going to the office or anything of the sort. It's a massive mistake.

[@samuelakinyemi8866]

I t seems to me that Rufai is muted on this matter.

[@geraldndubisi5458]

APC government will explode Nigeria

[@ladiosh-ow3qc]

All your comments here blaming Tinubu is so pathetic to say the least. For your info, what the President did is within his powers to avoid problem, and he is equally academically sound to do so, regardless of whether you agree with is certificate or not. He is a qualified chartered accountant ok! Very soon, some of you will blame BAT for not being able to impregnate your wives. You all should be ashamed of yourselves that such level of discrimination still happens in your region, but yet fighting marginalisation at other regions in the country. What a shame!!

[@Josephudoh-z1k]

Can you imagine Tinubu dat forged his school certificate sacking a full professor.

[@felixofoedu1478]

From what this Professor is saying, i think he has been unjustly treated. From the Professor's speech on this interview, I don't see him as a threat to anybody. Please, let the presidency reconsider its decisions on this issue.

[@Evans-w8u]

Tinubu who sacked this professor what certificate has he? In the first place, Tinubu is not qualified to be president of Nigeria, but unfortunately Nigerian courts decided to messed up themselves by allowing Tinubu to be president of Nigeria. A man who has no primary and secondary schools certificate. Why didn’t they allow court to determine the case first before removing him from office.

[@PrinceSamuel-pp7qx]

Please use your brain, outside age,a primary school or first school leaving certificate holder is qualified to be president in Nigeria That's different from what certificate Tinubu presented

[@Evans-w8u]

@ This man has PhD degree at least that qualifies him to be vice chancellor of a university. If your president is okay to be in the office with secondary school certificate.

[@lateefoyebanji282]

The prof may a victim of political struggles in the region. He has been having serial problems Kai it's Good to invest in politics o. A whole professor is being questioned like an undergraduate.

[@ikennachris-okoro1225]

A Tinubu without a known Secondary school certificate, let's leave out the university saga. But interesting times ahead. Let's see what the education Minister thinks

[@augustineonyeaghala9560]

Chief Abati arr you against this Prof? The professor is emphasising the need to adhere to the established process, which is true . I think the MoE is a medic, and he seems to be protecting his constituency SIMPLE who have written all kinds of petitions against him .. Niga na wa indeed

[@sunnicentertainment7809]

Dr Ruben sounds so amateur in most of the questions he threw at the Prof. Asking him while is this fight so important to him is too childish. We should defend our rights anytime we feel cheated.

[@olaoniboji]

Sir, the most senior DVC automatically takes over; there is no vacuum

[@envoysofzion6163]

Takes over as what exactly? Acting VC? Make it make sense!

[@jumpammampam2540]

There appears to be a politival umdertone to his ordeal.

[@oduozoemenapaul6282]

Abarti, most of your questions do not follow.

[@clementolowokere6662]

Reuben should stick to being a journalist. He’s not an adviser. Obviously you guys are not listening. Must you talk, if there’s nothing to say. Where’s the Presidency to be interrogated as you’re gruelling this guy. It’s even sounding political, if he’s vied for Governorship.

[@OmodesolaOgunruku]

How was he pronounced a professor before his papers were sent out to the external examiners? That story needs further probing.

[@ijeomaezeome7446]

The whole saga of appointment was flawed abinitio. The Governing Council came in with one goal--appointing this removed VC. The Council disrespectfully removed the then substantive Acting VC, and appointed one who will dance to their tune, in a Car park.. Then published a criteria for the VC they had in mind, without listening to the cries of the marginalised. They never thought The Visitor Mr President will listen. As usual in Nigeria, they called the bluff of the whole university academia and wanted to destroy the very fabric of what the University stands for. The removed VC should have told us why he thinks he is qualified to lead his fellow academics where he submitted his papers and has just been made a Reader? 1. How did he become a Prof in the so-called Gusau while he was in Politics in Ebonyi State, which the Gusau institution say they don't know have any such records. Does that mean he was breaking the law because he cannot do both? 2. Why will anyone go and remove all records of your being made a professor-- very unlikely 3. If by 2015, this removed VC had enough papers to be made a Prof in Gusau, then in 2024 his papers which should have increased could only make him a Reader in NAU, what does that say---the Professorial standard in Gusau must be too low for what NAU stands for. 4. Using ethnicity as a card is unfortunate--its like wicked democrats pretending to be victims because Trump won-- when they made their bed.

[@ikennachris-okoro1225]

I'm happy reading your reply. There are still good people in Nigeria

[@digitalmachines]

Okay let the President follow the procedure and law. He is not a dictator. This is a shame

[@smart7278]

You are commenting on this because Nigeria hasn't happened to you, pray it doesn't happen to you... You see an injustice being done to this man but you choose to side with his oppressors. It's well!

[@bolasalak7360]

Why this fuss? Are there no official appointment letter for his professorship? That's the document to be scrutinized.

[@emmanueladeyosoye3607]

It’s Nigeria what part of the country is not in cisis

[@clementolowokere6662]

Ajayi is so ignorant in this matter. The man is a lecturer in the same University.

[@olaoniboji]

SIr, I just read that your interview was done in an hotel, is that correct?

[@Evans-w8u]

What qualifications does your Tinubu have to be president of Nigeria. You don’t engage in a war you don’t have the weapons to prosecute. Tinubu doesn’t even have primary and secondary schools certificate.

[@princesssamuel830]

@Evans-w8u you dey there

[@ezinwaemenike5260]

The main reason I don't helping anambra people.

[@amobiokafor4048]

help yourself first.

[@ezinwaemenike5260]

@amobiokafor4048 I'm doing well, Ewu

[@amobiokafor4048]

that's lovely ,put in more effort that the only way anambra people answer haters like you.

[@hillaryojei6896]

This Abati of a guy plays too much.

[@geraldnweya5564]

This is sound a academics. It's just useless Unizik politics. They have no case.

[@Evans-w8u]

Tinubu who sacked this professor what certificate has he? In the first place, Tinubu is not qualified to be president of Nigeria, but unfortunately Nigerian courts decided to messed up themselves by allowing Tinubu to be president of Nigeria. A man who has no primary and secondary schools certificate.

[@AruaKingsley]

Prof. You're not supposed to have involve ethnicity in this matter.

[@princesssamuel830]

But it is true. My husband works there

[@topetee_baba4359]

Abati is just been a clown and not even funny in way

[@akindeleolushola9039]

Reuben, I am disappointed in you. You are biased. Are you now Tinubu boy?

[@EmenikeOliver-h9g]

Imagine Aturu, mumu,Caword, fool like Drug pusher, Money lunderer like Tinubu to sack a qualified Prof. Can Tinubu speak without paper like Prof. Odoh? Even the ones they wrote for him to pronounce words are big problem for that idiot called Tinubu. My Prof. God is with you, my EL-ROI, THE GOD THAT SEES ME, WE SEE YOU THROUGH❤❤❤ All of them ganging up against you will be put to shame...

[@ugwuemmanuelobioma3165]

Enough imof this shenanigans. When will Nigeria become a country 😢?

[@justinamourine5922]

There is nothing like one Nigeria and that can never be. Not now, not tomorrow or in the future . The Igbo are marginalized since the existence of Nigeria till date.