By CHIMEZIE ANASO

Members of staff of the Anambra-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) have called on Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to announce a substantive Vice-Chancellor (V-C) for the institution.

The staff members said In a statement in Awka on Wednesday that announcing a substantive V-C would end the lingering V-C selection process.

The COOU has not had a substantive V-C since the expiration of tenure of Prof. Greg Nwakoby in December 2023.

They commended Soludo for insisting on due process in the appointment of a V-C and also the Governing Council for its painstaking efforts to ensure that the right things were done.

The statement was signed on behalf of the workers by Prof. Peter Okonkwo, Prof. Stephen Unachukwu and Prof. Mbanefo Odum.

They said the search and selection committees had concluded their processes and submitted the result to Soludo.

Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman of the Governing Council confirmed to the News of Nigeria (NAN) that the recommendation of the joint selection committee was submitted to the governor on earlier in August.

They urged Soludo to act on the recommendations before him, adding that this was first time the university witnessed a transparent and credible selection process.

“Credit must be given to the Visitor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who, with an in-depth understanding of the university system, declined to predetermine a preferred outcome.

“Equal commendation is due to the seven-member Joint Council/Senate Selection and Appointment Committee, which conducted a seamless process that was unanimously endorsed by all members without dispute.

“The Joint Council /Senate Selection Committee, having completed its assignment and submitted to the visitor, it is expected that the visitor should, in line with Ordinance 11 (4d) appoint the candidate who placed first,” they said.

The staff members said the vacant position of the V-C was advertised in Vanguard Newspaper of January 2.

They said the statutory conditions for VC candidates as contained in COOU Law, 2014 were spelt out for internal and external applicants.

They said the Governing Council adhered to due process and urged Soludo to fulfil the promise he made during the last convocation to announce the V-C as soon as he received the recommendation. (NAN)