UNIBEN professor appointed Vice President, Academy of Science

The Nigerian Academy of Science has appointed Prof. Friday Okonofua of the University of Benin, as its Vice President.

The Public Relations Officer of the University of Benin, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, announced the appointment on Wednesday in a statement made available to our correspondent in Benin.

Prof. Okonofua is the Centre Leader of the University’s Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI), as well as the Director, World Bank Projects in the University.

The appointment, Ehanire said, was through a process of nominations by a Committee of past Presidents of the Academy and senior Professors across various science disciplines.

According to her, out of the 14 eggheads considered in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, Okonofua was appointed to the exalted position at the recent General Assembly of the Academy.

She stated the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Lilian Salami, said she was not surprised at the choice, describing the professor as a rare breed and valued asset not only to the University of Benin, but to humanity.

She also said that the Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has always demonstrated his unalloyed commitment to the advancement of people and their wellbeing as well as the promotion of high standards for society,” she said.

The new appointee, who also oversees the University’s Research and Grants Directorate, is the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Nigeria’s first University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State.