Prof BEB Nwoke Extols Late Prof COE Onwuliri On The Elimination of some Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nigeria During the 9th ANNUAL Prof Celestine Onwuliri Memorial Lecture & Scholarship Awards.
Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, November 6, 2021: The former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Late Professor Celestine Onwuliri, was recently credited with the pioneering work that eliminated some neglected tropical diseases in Nigeria. This was affirmed during the 9th Annual Professor Celestine Onwuliri Memorial Lecture and Scholarship Awards, by the Keynote Speaker, a renowned Parasitologist and Fellow of the Academy of Science, Professor B.E.B. Nwoke, FAS who was the former Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University, Owerri and first PhD supervisee of Professor Celestine Onwuliri.
The program which was organized by the Professor Celestine Onwuliri Foundation (PROFOUND) in partnership with The Mbaise Policy Roundtable (MPR) and International Liaison of Mbaise Indigenes (ILMI) was held virtually with participants from across the world. It was gaveled to order by the moderator Dr Chinemerem Onwuliri, and then followed with an opening remark from Her Excellency Professor Viola Onwuliri, the widow of the late Professor Celestine Onwuliri.
The keynote speaker Professor Nwoke then masterfully detailed the role of Professor Celestine Onwuliri in the history of the control of guinea worm disease (known as Dracunculiasis), River Blindness (Onchocerciasis), Bilharziasis (Schistosomiasis), as well as Soil transmitted helminths (worms) that included the round worms, ascariasis, pinworms and threadworms. He poignantly discussed the legacies of Professor Celestine Onwuliri in the Science, Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nigeria. He detailed Professor Celestine Onwuliri’s key contribution to science, which was in demystifying the biochemistry of nematodes (worms) and specifically describing the presence of an active Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle in these parasites that cause human disease, decease and disability. This referenced knowledge has helped with the control and development of drugs to tackle these diseases in Nigeria and globally.
It was an extensive review of the impact of field epidemiological and operational research in parasitology done by Prof Celestine Onwuliri and his team to stem the tide of these debilitating diseases of poverty that affect mainly the rural, underserved and vulnerable populations in Nigeria and around the developing world.
In her remarks, the program Chair Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide, FAS, and President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, who also mentored Professor Onwuliri, recalled key elements of their work as researchers in parasitology, their contributions to science and the impact it has had on reversing the ugly tide of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the rice bowl states of Bauchi, Benue, Ebonyi. Cross River as well as related States like Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Kano, Jigawa and beyond, who had heavy burdens of NTDs. She also spoke eloquently about his deep religious life. Professor Braide is a renowned Professor of Parasitology/Epidemiology and first ever female President of the Academy; who taught Professor Celestine Onwuliri at the University of Nigeria Nsukka in the early 1970s.
The program was not all about Professor Celestine Onwuliri’s past contributions but incorporated a segment on his commitment to the present and future- education. During this segment, the representatives of ILMI the custodians of a scholarship program in honor of Professor Celestine Onwuliri, namely Dr. Victor Chilaka (ILMI President) and Engineer Prof Dike, (Director of Education, ILMI) coordinated the scholarship awards session. They presented 12 scholarships to students of various tertiary institutions from across Nigeria. The beneficiaries, their places of origin and tertiary institutions of attendance are as follows. Okafor, Lillian Ugochi (Eziudo, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA -FUTO); Opara, Cynthia Chizoba (Okwuato, Aboh Mbaise LGA- IMSU); Nwachukwu, Tobechi Justice (Enyiogugu, Aboh Mbaise LGA- UNN); Anyanwu Maurice Chile (Enyiogugu, Aboh Mbaise LGA- UNN); Gerald-Akuegbu, Esther Ezinwa (Nguru, Aboh Mbaise LGA- UNIPORT); Nwokeibem MacAnthony (Amumara, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, UNIZIK ); Anyanwu, Michael Ifeanyichukwu (Eziudo, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA- FUTO); Ekechukwu David (Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA- FUTO); Nwogu Sandra Ngozi (Amumara, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA- UNICAL); Ezekwe Cornelia Obumneke (Okpofe, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA -FUTO); Igbo Francis Chisom (Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA- Holy Rosary School of Nursing, Emekuku Owerri); Ejiogu, Nnaemeka David (Nguru, Aboh Mbaise LGA- Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Umuahia, Abia State).
The Valedictorian and best student of the Class of Scholars for 2021- Miss Esther Gerald-Akuegbu thanked the PROFOUND, ILMI, Professor Viola Onwuliri and family and God Almighty for their commitment to the education of the next generation, their sustenance of the legacies of Professor Celestine Onwuliri and the unflinching pursuit of Excellence for the Mbaise Nation. She promised on behalf of the Class of 2021 to enshrine excellence in all her (their) endeavours and make an impact on humanity like Professor Onwuliri, while he lived. It must be recalled that Professor Celestine Onwuliri lost his life during the avoidable Dana air crash of June 3, 2012.
The Council of ILMI, disclosed that a minimum of 6 scholarships have been given out yearly since 2014 and a total of 48 scholarships have been given to students who are put through a rigorous, merit-based, selection process- including a written screening examination and subsequently, a series of interviews. The scholarship is funded collaboratively by ILMI and the family who have jointly sustained the scholarship since inception.
The program was attended by notable dignitaries including Professor Eddie Oparaoji (US based Pharmaceutical Executive and PROFOUND Scholar/Faculty), Professor Viola A. Onwuliri (Host and Former minister of Education and Foreign Affairs), Professor I.N.S Dozie (Vice Chancellor of the K. O. Mbadiwe University), Dr. Jude Iheoma (MPR Chief Program Officer), Dr. Victor Chilaka (President of the International Liaison of Mbaise Indigenes -ILMI), Professor Michael Faborde,a former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife & onetime Secretary General Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof Remy Uche (Faculty of Engineering at Federal University of Technology, Owerri and also Grand President of the Knights of St John International Owerri Grand Commandery.), Dr. Ijeoma Dozie, Engr. Kennamdi Onwuliri, members of the family, academics, medical doctors, students and the general public.
Other personalities in attendance were Prof Mike Ikon, Dr Mrs Ndidi Oparaoji, Engr George Nwigwe, Prince Ndy and Lady Dr Nwamaka Oparaoji, Chidi Orazulike, Dr Ahmed Rabiu, Joseph Ugwulali, Funmilayo Oyedeji, Chief Felix Chukwu, Mr. Frank Ihekwaba, Engr Emeka Onwuliri, Barr Mrs Chisom Onwuliri, Prof & Dr Mrs Festus Onwuliri, Dr Edmund Onwuliri, among so many others.
MPR 