The Governing Council of the Benson Idahosa University (BIU) has rectified the appointment of a Professor of Animal Nutrition, Johnson O. Oyedeji, as the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the institution.
The University’s Acting Head, Communications and Brand Strategy Unit (CBSU), Mr. Temi Esonamunjor, who made this known in a press statement, said Prof. Oyedeji’s appointment was made at the council’s 96th Regular Meeting.
Until his recent appointment, Prof. Oyedeji was a former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and also Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Benson Idahosa University. He has also held several administrative positions in the University.
He is a registered animal scientist and a member of the Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), as well as a member of Nigeria Society for animal production and also a member of World Poultry Science.s
The Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Archbishop Margaret E. Benson-Idahosa JP, OON, has inaugurated the 3rd Governing Council of the university which is to be led by Prof. Patrick Okedinachi Utomi.
Speaking at the inauguration, Archbishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa, charged the new council members to work with members of the university’s management team to achieve the mandate and goals of the founder, the late Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa.
She said: “As a developing university, there will be the need of efficient and intentional mobilization of the much needed resources to grow infrastructures and programmes. More than any other group of officers, you have the unique responsibility like the founding father of this great university, Archbishop Benson Idahosa to lead this effort.”
Archbishop Margaret Idahosa who expressed her joy urged the new council members to work together to take the university to the next level.
“I do not think there is a better team to get the job done for us at this time. We trust you, we have confidence in you and we believe that your coming in at this time is divinely arranged by God that you will be able to work together and take this university to the next level,” she added.
Responding, the new Pro- Chancellor, Pat Utomi pledged to reach out and work with all stakeholders of the institution to achieve the vision of its founder. He thanked the Chancellor for the confidence she has placed on him, promising that the challenge of the new council will be to truly make the university world class.
The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Professor Sam Guobadia, appreciated Margaret Benson-Idahosa for her support for the set goals and efforts at realising the founder’s vision.
The Pro – Chancellor and Chairman of the 3rd Governing Council of the University, Pat Utomi is a Nigerian professor of Social and Political Economy Environment of Business. He is the founder of Centre for Value in Leadership and has served in senior positions in government including Special Assistant to Former President, Shehu Shagari.
He is widely traveled through all the continents of the world and has received several awards of excellence, certificates of honour and Plaques in recognition of his outstanding contributions to knowledge.
Members of the new Governing Council are; Rt. Rev. Dr. Matthew Okpebholo (Vice Chairman), Rt. Rev. John Bienose, Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo, Honourable Matt. Aikhionbare, Rev. Peter Obadan, Ms. Ruth Idahosa Howard, Mrs Ukinebo Omorowa Dare, Rev. Prof. John Okhuoya and Mrs. Imor Okundaye.
Within a few months of his return to Nigeria from Bloomington, Indiana, United States, Pat got enlisted by then former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme to provide consultancy services on some public policy papers. Dr. Utomi has also previously occupied the position of Chief Operating Officer for Volkswagen of Nigeria Limited (1983 – 1993) and Director-Applied Economics Centre at Lagos Business School.
The new Benson Idahosa University Governing Council Chairman is active on the International speaking circuit, especially on the subjects of Growth economics, comparative development, Leadership, the Curse of Oil and China’s Economic surge and growing influence in Africa. He has collaborated fairly frequently with the center for strategic and international studies (CSIS) in Washington, and Chatham House, in the UK. He has also written commissioned papers for the UKs DFID including the latest collaboration with Colleagues from Oxford on the Political Economy of growth in Nigeria.
Utomi was a presidential candidate in 2007 and 2011 on the platform of African Democratic Congress.