By Chioma Umeha
The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) at its
Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in weekend, has inducted Professor Kalu Mosto
Onuoha, as its new President.
According to a statement signed by Dr Oladoyin
Odubanjo, Executive Secretary, NAS, Prof Onuoha took over from Professor
Oyewale Tomori, a virologist, who served as President of the Academy between
January 2013 and January 2016.
Mosto, as he is fondly called, was the Academy’s
Treasurer before he became Vice president in 2013.
In his acceptance speech, the new President, Prof
Onuoha said he is honoured to be elected as president of Nigeria’s foremost
science organization.
Prof Onuoha served as the pioneer Mobil Professor
of Petroleum Geology at the Mobil Producing Nigeria’s Chair of Geology at the
University of Calabar from 1991 to 92.
He also served as Technology Development Adviser –
Subsurface Development Services at the Shell Petroleum Development Company of
Nigeria, Port Harcourt from 1996 to 2002, and Shell/NNPC Professor of Geology
at the Shell Chair, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2003-2012).
Prof. Onuoha additionally has served the UNN in
many capacities, including as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) between 2005
and 2009.
Currently, he is the PTDF Chair of Petroleum
Geology at the UNN.
Prof. Onuoha’s record of professional activities,
community service, and services rendered to the country includes: Membership of
the Editorial Board of several reputable local and international scientific journals,
Member, Governing Council of Abia State University, Uturu, from 2000 to 2006,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2005-2009) and Federal University Ndufu Alike
Ikwo, Ebonyi State (2015-2016).
Others are: Visiting Professor to the African
University of Science & Technology, Abuja, since 2010, and to the Federal
University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, and Member of the Board of Assessors (Science),
Nigerian National Order of Merit (2003-2008).
For the next four years, he will be leading the
Nigerian Academy of Science in achieving an improved quality of life for the
Nigerian society through the promotion and application of science and
technology.
Prof. Onuoha will also strengthen the nation’s
ability to deliver the fruits of science to society by the acquisition, growth,
and dissemination of sound scientific knowledge and facilitation of its use in
the solution of major national problems.
The Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) was
established in 1977. The Academy is the foremost independent scientific body in
Nigeria dedicated to the development and advancement of science, technology,
and innovation in Nigeria and brings scientific knowledge to positively guide
policies and strategic direction of the country.
