The situation regarding the disowning of the sacked Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Dr. Bernard Odoh, by the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara has garnered significant attention. The Federal University Gusau has publicly stated that it never awarded a professorship to Dr. Odoh and asserted that he has never been employed by their institution.
Background
The controversy arose due to claims made by Dr. Odoh regarding his academic credentials and appointment as a professor. The university officials have clarified that the letters indicating his professorship, dated back to April and November of 2015, were confirmed as administrative fraud. They stated that Dr. Odoh had no formal ties with the university, and the purported documentation was invalid.
Key Points from the University’s Statements
No Employment: The university affirmed that Dr. Odoh was never employed by the Federal University Gusau, which undermines his claims to have held a professorship there.
Administrative Fraud: University officials characterized the documents provided by Dr. Odoh as fraudulent, stating they were not legitimate offers of appointment. The assertions include claims that the documents lacked proper certification and were incorrectly endorsed by the former registrar of the university.
Public Clarification: To mitigate misunderstandings and rumors circulating in the media about Dr. Odoh’s professorship, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muazu Abubakar, held a press briefing to present the institution’s side of the story.
Impact of Misinformation: The misleading narratives about Dr. Odoh’s academic status have raised concerns regarding the reputation and credibility of the Federal University Gusau. This prompted the management to take proactive measures in clarifying their position and maintaining institutional integrity.