Brief History of Prof. Hilary Odo Edeoga, [VC, MOUAU].....

Hilary Odo Edeoga is the 4th Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and a Professor of Plant Taxonomy and Cytogenetics.

He was the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Enugu State (2007 - 2009) and a Senior Research Adviser, Shell Petroleum Development Company Nig. Ltd., Port Harcourt (2006 - 2007) and a Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (2001 - 2005). He has also been the Dean of Post Graduate School (2002 - 2003) and former Head, Department of Biological Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (2000 - 2001). Prior to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, he was the Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (2009 - 2011). Prof. Edeoga was a Senior Lecturer in the former Edo (Bendel) State University, Ekpoma (now Ambrose Alli University) from 1988 - 1999.

Professor Edeoga is a member of several Professional bodies among which are The American Society of Plant Taxonomists (USA), Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology, Botanical Society of Nigeria, Genetics Society of Nigeria, Nigeria Society for Plant Protection, Weed Science Society of Nigeria, International Society of Plant Morphologists (India) and Biotechnology Society of Nigeria. He has several Professional and Academic achievements to his credit. These include; serving as the Chairman, Federal Ministry of Environment, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA); Review Panel on the dredging of Igbokoda River by NDDC, Akure, Ondo State (2003); Review Panel on the GPL Aba Power Project, Abia State (2005). He served in several capacities as a resource person and consultant to several bodies including SPDC, Port Harcourt, NDDC, V-Mobile Nigeria (now Airtel), ETISALAT Nigeria, National Universities Commission (NUC) and Federal Ministry of Environment.

Professor Edeoga has over one hundred and twenty (120) publications including journals, books, technical papers and reports. He has successfully supervised several students at the undergraduate, masters and doctorate levels. He is a recipient of so many distinctions and awards including Award of Fifty Nigerians of Integrity by Guardian Newspapers, Lagos (2011), Award for Scholarly Excellence by UNIPORT Alumni (2011), Honorary Member, Rotary Club of Umudike Central (2011), Grand Patron, NAVC-ICPC, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, State Patron NAVC-ICPC. Others are - Award of Nigeria's top fifty Professionals by Thisday Newspapers, Lagos (2011), Award of Honour by Nigeria Association of Agricultural Science Students, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2008), Honorary award by Enugu State Students Association, (ESSA), MOUAU, Award as 'Most Friendly Dean' by the National Association of Biological Sciences Students (NABSS), MOUAU (2009), Students Union Government, award 2001/2002 session, MOUAU-SUG award 2002/2003 session. He got the UNIPORT Alumni Award of Honour as a "Worthy Ambassador" (2008). Award of Honour by Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji "for working to ensure the attainment of food security in the country (Nigeria)" as Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Enugu State (2007). He was an Awardee by the Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt at her 25th Anniversary Celebration in "Recognition of Meritorious Achievements and Service" as one of the most Successful and Progressive Alumni (2010).

Prof. Edeoga has been chosen for distiguished standing and has been conferred with an honourary appointment to the Board of Directors of the Governing Board of the American Biographical Institute (2002). He was also appointed in 2005, the Patron of the Zone 9, Police Community Relations Committee, Umuahia. Prof. H. O. Edeoga has been cited in the 2001 edition of Marquis "Who is Who in World." He has also been cited in the "Who is Who in Nigeria" (2003 and 2010 editions).

Professor Edeoga was born into the family of Chief and Mrs Edeoga Ogenyi Eze of Amede, Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu State and is happily married to Mrs Gina Ibizugbe Edeoga. The marriage is blessed with three lovely children, Izu, Nnenna and Ogonna.

Thanks.