PROTOCOLS

Today, I stand before this august body – the Senate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University – with a great sense of responsibility, duty and honour. This is the second time that I will be addressing you. The first was during my maiden visit on the 26th of February, 2025.

2. On that occasion, I came with the then Acting Vice-Chancellor and the internal members of the Governing Council. Today, I am here with a brand new Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi. It is also my pleasure to announce, as you probably may have been aware, that I am here with the full complement of members of the Governing Council of this great university pursuant to the inauguration of the External Members by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (CON).
3. Having interacted with the Council members over time, I can confirm to you that Nnamdi Azikiwe University is blessed to have on its Governing Council an array of distinguished Nigerians who are passionate about education, and particularly, the development of this great university.
4. You would recall that during my maiden address to this Senate, I promised that the Governing Council under my leadership will continue to work with the Senate and your representatives on the Council as well as other stakeholders with a view to getting the input of all critical stakeholders in all we do.
5. For good measure, I did say that, in doing the above, we shall not sacrifice fairness, equity, justice, merit, competence, and above all, the Rule of Law, on the altar of some primordial considerations and sentiments.
6. We have tried to keep faith with these ethos and principles even in the face of some discontent and opposition.
7. Let us not forget that at any given time, it is only one person that can occupy a position. It is the Almighty God that gives power to whoever he wishes. He removes kings and sets up kings.
8. This is an academic environment and the primary reason for being here as an academic is to contribute your quota to research and body of knowledge. Any other thing is secondary.
9. Therefore, the attempts at turning every exercise or aspiration into a do-or-die affair and mudslinging should be discouraged. It is an ill-wind that does no one any good.
10. The Governing Council that I chair knows its powers and boundaries; and we have tried to stay within them. It is the dog that wags the tail and not the other way round.
11. On this note, let me mention without any equivocation that henceforth the Governing Council, working closely with the management of the University, shall not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary measures against those who are in the habit of attacking constituted authorities and bringing the name of the university into disrepute and/or contempt when things do not go their way – for a moment!
12. I seek the support and solidarity of every member of the Senate and the Senate itself as well as other stakeholders in the onerous task of making UNIZIK not just the “University of the Moment” but the “University for all time”.
13. This is possible and realizable knowing full well that it is the sum total of our individual and collective efforts that make a complete whole.
14. Let us join hands to make UNIZIK truly a centre of “discipline, self-reliance and excellence”.

Thank you and God bless.