The newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, UNIZIK, Professor Joseph Eberandu Ahaneku has offered olive branch to those who competed for the post of Vice Chancellor with him and lost.

Ahaneku urged all contenders to shield their swords and join him in rebuilding UNIZIK to greater height.

Ahaneku emerged winner and was announced as the new Vice Chancellor of the university after the May 26 voting exercise that brought the entire selection processes to an end.

Speaking to journalists yesterday on the controversy trailing his emergence as new UNIZIK VC, Ahaneku said that now that the battle is over the other contenders should join him in building a great university, which he claimed is the most sought-after in the country.

He promised to do the right and proper thing, as well as maintain a due-process based administration that will be driven by the ideals of excellent in character and learning.

Urging those who lost the contest to embrace his offer of partnering with them in running UNIZIK,

The new UNIZIK VC, Ahaneku added said “What I am saying is that those of you that are there and for all of you that took part in the exercise, the battle has been fought and won by the grace of God. The task now is to build a university that will be the proud of the entire African continent”.

He enjoined the entire university community, his contenders and all factions to close ranks and work with him, stressing that the earlier they close ranks and understand that the fighting is over, the better for everybody.

The new UNIZIK VC, Ahaneku assured the local chapter of Academic Staff of Universities, ASUU led by Professor Ike Odimegwu that they will always be consulted in the process of decision making and execution.