PROFESSOR CELESTINE ONYEMOBI ELIHE ONWULIRI FAS, KSJ, JP, B.Sc, PhD(Nigeria), C Biol, M.I. Biol (London), FBSN, FNSP, FCIDA, FNSBMB, Hon. FNIBE, FAAS, ALOHA, VICE-CHANCELLOR, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI

Professor Celestine Onyemobi Elihe Onwuliri, a distinguished Professor of Zoology (with specialization in Parasitology) hails from Umuokazi Amuzi, Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State Nigeria

Professor Onwuliri is a homegrown international scientist, erudite scholar and most distinguished University administrator who was groomed from the Community Grammar School Amuzi where he was both Deputy Senior Prefect (1967) and Senior Prefect (1970/1971)

He was admitted into St. Augustine's Grammar School, Nkwerre in January 1971 for his higher school but left for the University of Nigeria in September 1971 following his admission to read Zoology at the university. He graduated in 1975 with a Bsc degree in Zoology (Second Class Honours, Upper Division). During his undergraduate studies he was awarded the University of Nigeria Foundation Aid Scholarship for academic excellence (1972-1975). After his NYSC programme at the Odeda Fish Farm, Abeokuta, Ogun State (1975-1976) he was appointed Junior Fellow in Zoology at the University of Nigeria. After a mandatory one year of apprenticeship, he enrolled for his PhD Zoology (Parasitology) which he bagged in 1980 winning in the process the coveted Vice Chancellor's prize as the Best Overall Graduating Postgraduate Student and the first person ever to receive this Honour from the University of Nigeria

Professor Onwuliri has over 30 years of teaching, research and administrative experience in six Universities in Nigeria and many others abroad. He was twice Head, Department of Zoology, thrice Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Sub-Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Acdemic), Acting Vice Chancellor, all at the University of Jos; Director, Academic Planning, Imo State University Owerri and currently Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology since June 2006. He was recently appointed the Alternate Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universitiess since June 2010, etc

He is very active in experimental parasitology, physiology and biochemistry of parasites, environmental parasitology, ecology and epidemology of parasitic helminths with emphasis on communicable diseases such as Dracunuliasis (Guinea worm disease), Onchocerciasis (River blindness disease), Filariasis, Schistosomiasis and other intestinal helminthosis

Professor Onwuliri has made outstanding contributions in the physiology and biochemistry of parasites, a formidable area that is not actively worked on in this country and in which he has a commanding reputation for excellence and assiduity. His description of a dichotomous pathway of energy metabolism in the infective stages of parasitic nematodes helped to confirm the functional Krebs cycle enzymes in parasitic nematodes

Professor Onwuliri's work on the ecology and epidemiology of parasitic nematodes in the 1980's called attention to endemic dracunculiasis in the Guinea Savannah region of Central Nigeria. His pioneering research on onchocerciasis in Plateau State, supported by landmark publications with his collabarators led to the formation of the River Blindness Foundation, now the Carter Center/Global 2000, with headquarters in Jos, Nigeria. This remarkable achievement has provided much needed impetus for the effort to eradicate river blindness in Nigeria

Professor Onwuliri is a committed apostle of the development of the human capital. He has successfully supervised twenty three (23) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates and 150 other candidates at M.Sc and B.Sc levels for the advancement of Science and Technology Education in Nigeria and overseas many of whom today are distinguished professors and administrators in the university system and in other areas of human endeavour. He has also published over 150 well researched articles in peer reviewed journals and several invited papers nationally and internationally

He has served the larger society in various capacities such as National President, Nigerian Society for Parasitology(now Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria) (1993-1997), Honourable Commissioner for Information, Culture, Youths and Sports, Imo State (1997-1999), Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources(1998), Member, Board of Governors, University of Jos Demonstration Secondary School (1983-1997), Member, University Press (1993-2001), Chairman, Board of Directors, NYSC, Imo State(1997-1999), Chairman Imo State Broadcasting Corporation (1997-1999), Chairman Imo Sports Council (1997-1999), Hosted the 11th National Sports Festival tagged "Imo 98" (1998-1999), Member of Council, University of Jos (1996-2001), First Vice President, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, Knights of Saint John International (2003-2009), Member, Committee of Assessors, Nigeria National Merit Award (2002-2008), Member Federal Government Official Delegation for the 2005 Christian Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo), Member, Council Federal University of Technology Owerri (2006-date) etc. He is currently Major General and President, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Knights of St. John International (KSJI) Nigeria (2009-date)

He is a proud recipient of several fellowships, honours and awards including Fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Science (FAS), Fellow, Nigeria Society for Parasitology (now Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria) FNSP, Fellow, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (FBSN), Fellow, Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration (FCIDA), Fellow, Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (FNSBMB), Fellow, The Association for Aquatic Sciences (FAAS), Honorary Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Biomedical Engineering(HonFNIBE), Fellow, Society for Environmental Health (fseh), Fellow, African Scientific Institute (ASI.F), Fellow Solar Energy Society of Nigeria(FSESN) etc. He has also served as Consultant to several national and international agencies including the World health Organization, Japanese International Cooperation Agency(JICA), Cater Center/Global 2000 ect

As Vice-Chancellor, Professor Onwuliri has continued to promote Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovations for sustainable national development. He has also travelled widely for articulation of several linkages with institutions in UK, US, China, Canada, Germany, Jordan, South Africa etc

Furthermore amongst other achievements as Vice-Chancellor, he has served as Member, Presidential Technical Committee on the Consolidation of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria (2006-2007), Member, Ministerial Committee on the Harmonization of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria (2006-2007), Member, British Council Prime Ministers' Initiative Strategic Dialogue (2008) etc. In addition, Professor Onwuliri was conferred with the award of excellence by the Nigerian Institute of Physics (2008), received the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) Maiden Nigerian Heroes Award in 2009 (and the only Vice-Chancellor in the Nigeria University System to receive this award), honoured with Best Vice-Chancellor Award by the Niger Delta Students' Association (2009), conferred with the Most Dynamic Vice-Chancellor in Southeastern Nigeria (2010) as well as the 2010 Most Outstanding Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria by SIFE Nigeria etc

A consummate and noble family man, Professor C.O.E. Onwuliri is happily married to Ezinne Noble Lady Prof Viola Adaku Onwuliri. Together, they have built a model family of five children, two grandchildren and many adopted children. He enjoys reading, writing, analytical discussions, table tennis, soccer and boxing