NAN-H-66
Geologist
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, Jan. 30, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Mosto Onuoha, a Petroleum Geologist, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has emerged the 18th President of the Nigeria Academy of Science (NAS), an official said Monday.
Dr Oladoyin Odubanjo, the Executive Secretary, NAS in a statement said that the president was inducted during the academy’s 2017 Annual General Meeting in Lagos.
According to Odubanjo, Onuoha took over from Prof. Oyewale Tomori FAS, a Virologist, who served as President of the academy between Jan. 2013 and Jan. 2016.
“`Mosto’, as he is fondly called, was the academy’s treasurer before he became Vice-President in 2013.
“Onuoha served as the pioneer Mobil Professor of Petroleum Geology at the Mobil Producing Nigeria’s Chair of Geology at the University of Calabar (1991 to 1992).
“He also served as Technology Development Adviser, Subsurface Development Services, at the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Port Harcourt (1996 to 2002).
“He also served as a Shell/NNPC Professor of Geology at the Shell Chair, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2003 to 2012),’’ he said.
Odubanjo said that Onuoha had also served the UNN in many capacities, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), between 2005 and 2009.
Currently, he is the PTDF Chair of Petroleum Geology at the UNN.
The scribe said that Onuoha’s record of professional activities, community service, and services rendered to the nation include membership of the Editorial Board of several reputable local and international scientific journals.
Others are member of the Governing Council, Abia State University, Uturu (2000-2006), UNN (2005 to 2009), Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State (2015 to 2016), visiting professor to the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja (since 2010).
He is also a member of the Board of Assessors (Science), Nigerian National Order of Merit (2003 to 2008).
He said that for the next four years, Onuoha would be leading the NAS in achieving an improved quality of life for the Nigerian society through the promotion and application of science and technology.
Odubanjo added that he would help to strengthen the nation’s ability to deliver the fruits of science to society by the acquisition, growth, and dissemination of sound scientific knowledge.
The secretary said that he would also use the knowledge for the facilitation of its use in the solution of major national problems.
The statement quoted Onuoha as saying in his acceptance speech that he was honoured to be elected as president of Nigeria’s foremost science organisation and would work to see science given its rightful place in the nation.
The NAS was established in 1977, an independent scientific body in Nigeria dedicated to the development and advancement of science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria.
It is also dedicated to bringing scientific knowledge to positively guide policies and strategic direction of the country. (NAN)
CAN/FF/GY
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Grace Yussuf