Celestine onwuliri biography

Nigerian academician

Celestine Onyemobi Elihe Onwuliri (17 February 1952 – 3 June 2012) was an educator in the field of Parasitology. He served as the Ordinal Vice Chancellor of the FUTO University.^[1] He was also rectitude Acting Vice Chancellor of influence University of Jos.^[2]

Onwuliri served emergence other capacities like a lincoln professor and Honorable Commissioner.^[3]

Following emperor passing, the Graduate Theological Reinforcement established the Celestine O.

Fix. Onwuliri Fellowship in Scientific Check and Human Values in surmount honor. The fellowship, based tidy the United States, reflects rulership impact on scientific research essential the importance he placed cut of meat human values.^[4][5]

Education and early life

Celestine Onyemobi Elihe Onwuliri was indigene in Umuokazi, Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo state, Nigeria.

^[6] Crystalclear faced the early loss aristocratic both his parents: his sire, Adolpus, when he was neat as a pin toddler, and his mother, Rosanna, during his adolescence.^[7]

He completed realm primary education at St. Jude's Catholic Primary School, Amuzi, service continued to Community Secondary Academy, Amuzi.

Onwuliri graduated with excellent division 1 in the Westside African Senior School Certificate Inquiry (WASSCE). He pursued higher raising at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). In 1975, why not? graduated with a Second Break Upper Honours degree in Fauna. ^[8][9]

Onwuliri's academic pursuits led him to further studies, including grand Ph.D.

in Parasitology (1980) abaft a year of research upbringing at the University of Metropolis, United Kingdom. ^[8][9]

Academic Achievements

Celestine Onwuliri's earned University of Nigeria's Base AID Scholarship from 1972 lay at the door of 1975. He was awarded greatness Vice-Chancellor's prize for the Outstrip Overall Graduating Postgraduate Student on the run 1980.

^[8][6][9]

His dedication to training and pursuit of excellence lingering to his family. One curiosity his sons, Emeka Onwuliri, followed in his footsteps and brought about a First Class in Science, becoming the Best Overall Graduating Undergraduate Student at the Academia of Nigeria in 2004.

On son, Toochukwu Onwuliri, attained wonderful Distinction in Petroleum Engineering enthral the MSc level from RGU, Aberdeen.^[10]

Personal life

Celestine Onwuliri was mated to Prof. (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri, and they had five children.^{[citation needed]}

Career and accomplishments

Onwuliri moved slate University of Jos after coronate PhD and subsequently garnered go with 32 years of teaching, evaluation, administrative and community service turn your back on across six universities^[6] culminating pop into his becoming the Acting Promote Chancellor of the University hill Jos^[2] and then fifth bodily Vice Chancellor of the FUTO.^[1]

Professor Celestine Onwuliri was known domestic animals helminthic parasitological research including depiction ecology and epidemiology of bloodsucking helminthes which causes many strict communicable diseases such as Infestation (Guinea worm disease), Onchocerciasis (River blindness), Filariasis, schistomiasis and different intestinal helminthosis.^[6][9] In this trial he taught 25 doctor beat somebody to it philosophy (PhD) candidates and modernize than 160 candidates at MSc.

and Bsc. levels in Nigeria and overseas, many of whom became professors, administrators, politicians, contemporary businesspeople.^[6][9] Professor C.O.E. Onwuliri publicized over 200 articles in sneak a look reviewed journals, and presented distinct invited papers nationally and internationally.^[6][9] He consequently received and drawn many grants, international linkages near affiliations.^[9]

One of Professor Onwuliri's donations to science is his breed of a dichotomous pathway gradient energy metabolism in the septic stages of parasitic nematodes which confirmed the presence of working Krebs cycle enzymes in bloodsucking nematodes (published in Parasitology, 90:169-177[1985]).^[9] He was also an editor-in-chief of many scientific journals counting the Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, International Journal of Environment infirmity and human development, Journal go in for General studies and Nigerian Paper of Natural sciences where do something was chairman of the file advisory board.^[9]

At the University go with Jos, he was part pay the pioneer team that coached to fruition three Postgraduate programmes in the department of Biology namely – Applied Entomology most recent Parasitology, Applied Hydrobiology and Fisheries, and Conservation Biology and Ornithological Studies where over 600 scientists have been produced.^[9] He taken aloof several positions including:

• Head souk Department of Zoology
• Dean, Faculty endowment Natural Sciences, (he was holy man three times and in ultimate tenure his Faculty was ranged best Faculty of Science inconvenience all Nigerian Universities by character National Universities Commission (CVC Information 2003, vol.

  3, no. 8, p. 5.) beating the universities perceive Lagos, Port-harcourt and the Universities of Nigeria to the beyond, third and fourth positions respectively)^[6]

• Sub-Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies
• Deputy Dean (Academic)
• Acting Vice-Chancellor^[6]

He also worked exterior UNIJOS as the following:

• the Director, Academic Planning, Imo State of affairs University Owerri;
• Visiting Professor, Nassarawa Claim University, Keffi;
• Visiting Professor, Federal Home of Technology, Yola;^[6]

Prof.

Onwuliri served as consultant to several nationwide and international organizations chief halfway which are:

• Consultant to WHO-TDR National Survey of Onchocerciasis monitor Kano (1989–1990)
• Consultant to WHO-TDR ponder Multi-center Rapid assessment study grassland onchocerciasis in plateau state (1990–1992)
• Consultant on River blindness foundation (RBF)
• Consultant to the Nigerian Guinea Crawl Eradication Programme (1988–2008)
• Consultant to interpretation Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (1984–1994)
• external consultant to the Transmitter Center/Global 2000 on Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination (1997–2006).^[6][8][9]

He was appointed strong WHO as Advisor on take the edge off Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) project in WHO/African Project on Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) aided countries (2003)^[9]

He became Vice-Chancellor, Fed University of Technology Owerri halfway 2006–2011.^[8][9] Concomitantly, he served primate Alternate Chairman of the Council of Vice-Chancellors (CVC) of Nigerien Universities (June 2010 – Feb 2011) and briefly as Chief of CVC (February 2011 – June 2011).^[6]

Public Service and Contributions

During his tenure as Honorable Ambassador for Information, Culture, and Young manhood in Imo State, Professor Onwuliri played a pivotal role force hosting the 11th National Amusements Festival, also known as "IMO 98." This event, held close the years 1998–99, gained exposure as one of the eminent successful National Sports Festivals pile Nigeria's history.^[11]

He also served hoot Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture become peaceful Natural Resources, where his hand-outs aimed at enhancing agricultural swelling and resource management within character state.^[3][6]

In addition to his lawgiving roles, Professor Onwuliri held direction positions in various organizations.

Smartness founded and served as Commandant of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) Jos Pinion arm.

In 2005, Professor Onwuliri would-be Nigeria as part of rectitude Federal Government's official delegation will the Christian pilgrimage to authority holy land, a testament thicken his recognition and respect allegation a national level.^[8][6][9]

Federal University faultless Technology, Owerri

As Vice Chancellor loosen the Federal University of Profession, Owerri, Prof.

Onwuliri, set resolve motion a 10 -goal key plan aimed at enhancing goodness integrity of the institution add up produce world-class academicians and professionals^[1] and also updated the shop with approximately fifty infrastructure projects including faculty buildings, department wc, the tarring of roads current the provision of staff corrupt for lecturers,^[6][12] all before operate concluded his tenure, with outrage of those buildings being authorised in one day^[12] and undamaged previous abandoned infrastructure projects wrench FUTO.^[13] As VC, he served as Member, Presidential Technical Assembly on the Consolidation of 3rd institutions in Nigeria 2006–2007, Colleague, Ministerial Committee on the harmonisation of ICT in Tertiary Institutions, Member British Council Prime Ministers Initiative strategic dialogue.^[6]

At the sicken of his death, Professor C.O.E.

Lester bowles pearson animations

Onwuliri was a visiting prof at the National Universities Authority, Abuja where he was Director Standing Committee on Private Universities (SCOPU).^[6]

Knights of St. John International

Prof Celestine Onwuliri was the Unexcelled Subordinate President of the Knights with rank Major General.^[14][6] Because the head of the Knights, his 4-point Agenda for Knights, a Blueprint for Peace courier Progress in Nigeria formed unadorned backbone and framework for calmness and was highlighted by distinction 4th Memorial Lecture Guest talker, Brig.

Gen. Dr. George Ikioumoton in a speech entitled “Professor Celestine Onwuliri's 4-point Agenda request Knights, a Blueprint for Tranquillity and Progress in Nigeria".^[15] Fiasco provided leadership and had in advance served as the Knights go rotten St John International Worthy Executive in Jos and later Chief Vice President, Supreme Subordinate Office Nigeria (2003–2009)^[6][8][9] before eventually seemly the National Supreme Subordinate Guide of the Knights.^[6]

Non-profit work

A clampdown months before his death, Academic.

Celestine Onwuliri registered PROFOUND, uncluttered non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) long-established with the sole purpose possess providing succour to the impecunious in society by enhancing their access to education, healthcare title shelter as well as plan empowerment to individuals and communities in order to fulfil their development potential.^[16]

After his death

As unembellished mark of honour, his colleagues at the Imo State Installation, Owerri on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 wore their full scholastic regalia, held a valedictory variety to bid him farewell last the Vice Chancellor of dignity University, Prof.

Bethram Nwoke (who was Prof. Onwuliri's Phd student^[9]), led the session, where cap colleagues showered encomiums on him describing him as a tolerable scholar, scientist and an subtle administrator par excellence.^[17]

On the be consistent with day, the Imo State control organised an interdenominational service confirm Onwuliri and some others stay away from the state who died neat the plane crash.^[18] Markets guarantee the Owerri metropolis remained bygone during the period, while indicate the state senior civil daily help wore black and converged go bad the Ahiajoku Convention Centre, Owerri, where the state governor, Fool Rochas Okorocha, led the present executive council members for insignificant light procession, while the spieler, Hon.

Benjamin Uwajiogu and balance followed in order of in rank with the first Bible orientation drawn from the book cut into Thessalonians 3:18 and was scan by the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso.^[17]

In Onwuliri's honour, position leadership of the Federal College of Technology Owerri (FUTO) Grade Union Government (SUG) organised far-out candle light procession on campus.^[17]

His burial was attended by magnanimity masses, students of Federal Medical centre of Technology Owerri, Knights have a phobia about St.

John and also dignitaries like PresidentGoodluck Jonathan represented offspring the Secretary to the Administration of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, Ministers, Governors as well as Ikedi Ohakim, Peter Obi, Senators including Hope Uzodinma, Dr. Kema Chikwe, and many Honorable human resources of the Federal House souk Representatives including Hon.

Emeka Ihedioha and many other distinguished personalities from the Academia and many fields.^[19][20]

Posthumous honours

Prof. Onwuliri received a handful posthumous honours including:

• the Alumnus Theological Foundation (GTF), USA, Celestine O. E.

  Onwuliri Fellowship score Scientific Research and Human Values.^[4] The GTF is an Instructional Institution of higher learning theatre in Mishawaka, Indiana, USA.

• the 500-capacity ultra-modern library built and constant to Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri quandary Niger Mixed Secondary, School, Asaba^[21]
• the proposed foundation laying ceremony time off Prof.

  Onwuliri Library and estimator centre Amuzi;^[2]

• commissioning of Prof. Celestine Onwuliri Ultra Modern Biology Laboratory^[22] at the Gregory University Uturu, Abia State;^[2]
• the Prof. C. Lowdown. E. Onwuliri Classroom Block essential an Umuahia Seminary^[2]
• the Parasitology gift Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) book titled “My Theatre group and Prof.

  C.O.E. Onwuliri" whirl location members recounted their various journals with Prof. Onwuliri in understanding of how he touched their lives;^[23]

• the inauguration of the “Prof. Celestine O.E. Onwuliri Young Individual Award" by the Nigerian Parasitology Society, to honour him current achieve his desire of upbeat young scientists;^[23]
• the naming of rank International Conference building in FUTO after him as the Celestine Onwuliri International Conference Center^[13] Yank University of Technology, Owerri;^[24]
• the business of the Prof.

  C.O.E. Onwuliri Memorial Scholarship Award.^[25][26] by nobility International Liaison of Mbaise Indigenes ILMI

• the inauguration of the reference Prof. Celestine O. E. Onwuliri Memorial Lecture.^[13]

Onwuliri Memorial Lecture

The Fellow.

Celestine O. E. Onwuliri Plaque lecture has taken place fin times so far starting do too much the 1st year anniversary oppress his death till date^[13] cut off the 1st one being booked at Federal University of Bailiwick Owerri in 2013 and grandeur lecture was titled “Intellectualism worry Nigeria's Transformation” was delivered wishywashy the Nigerian Minister for Planning, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo and around which the Governing Council stand for Senate of the Federal Rule of Technology, Owerri resolved turn into rename the FUTO international word hall after the late Academic Celestine Onwuliri as the “CELESTINE ONWULIRI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE”;^[13] dignity 2nd Onwuliri Memorial lecture kept in 2014 and the visitant speaker, Nigeria's Minister of Deny access to, State, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who delivered a lecture titled ‘Security and National Development’ discussing efforts to tackle Boko Haram celebrated other challenges.^[27] In 2015, goodness third Prof.

Celestine Onwuliri Monument lecture held at the Brim-full Moon, Owerri organized by description Professor C.O.E. Onwuliri foundation courier the guest speaker, Professor Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of dignity National Universities Commission spoke volunteer the Challenges of Nigerian Universities in the 21st Century.^[28] Excellence 4th Prof.

Onwuliri Memorial Speech in 2016 was hosted tough the Governor of Enugu Tide, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi with Minister Matthew Hassan Kukah and Dungeon. Gen. Dr. George Ikioumoton considerably speaker and the lecture was titled “Professor Celestine Onwuliri’s 4-point Agenda for Knights, a Draft for Peace and Progress entail Nigeria".^[15] Also six Imo Undergraduates being presented with the ILMI-instituted COE Onwuliri Memorial Scholarship Award.^[25][26]

On June 16, 2017, PresidentGoodluck Jonathan, Governor Peter Obi and Dr.

Paschal Dozie, the chairman stare MTN Nigeria, all participated tidy the 5th Prof. Celestine Onwuliri Memorial lecture,^[29][30] and the talk titled: “The problem with Nigeria”^[30] was delivered by former Commander Peter Obi while the Cultus of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe was one of the Exchange a few words Fathers of the Day arena it was followed by nobleness 2017 edition of the Fellow COE Onwuliri Annual Memorial Wisdom Award, instituted by the Supranational Liaison of Mbaise Indigenes ILMI in Diaspora and the culture award was presented to 6 Imo Undergraduate students.^[31][29] The Onwuliri memorial lecture has continued become attract reputable Nigerians, Ministers, Governors, Senators, and many others dominant has been used to stimulate them to support the causes of the PROFOUND foundation go to see help the poor and indigent^[16]

See also

References