The Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB) has nominated the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for the NSBMB LEGACY AWARD.
This nomination is contained in a letter to Dr Ikpeazu signed by the President of the Society, Professor Matthew Owonda Wegwu and dated 16th October, 2023.
According to the letter, “The received wisdom is that academics are usually lost in the manipulative corridors of power once they get into appointive or elective office. It is certainly not part of conventional logic for a thoroughbred Nigerian academic who holds political office, let alone one holding the high office of Governor to show proclivity for the academia. Yet you remained marginally or fully engaged in academic activities while in office as Executive Governor of Abia State”.
The Society recalled with pride the fact that even as Governor, Dr Ikpeazu constantly engaged himself in teaching of Biochemistry at the Abia State University and “PUBLISHED OVER 45 ARTICLES IN PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS, MOST OF WHICH WERE IN THE PRESTIGIOUS SCOPUS INDEXED JOURNALS. Your Excellency also co-authored a book on Environmental Biochemistry.
The Society states that “Dr Ikpeazu has brought honor to the Biochemistry profession and on account thereof, the National Executive Council of NSBMB unanimously resolved to confer a Legacy Award on Your Excellency”.
This Award is coming few months after Dr Ikpeazu was inducted into the Governing Body of the Society.
Governor Emeritus Ikpeazu has accepted the award with excitement and humility. According to him, the teaching of Biochemistry remains his prime passion and to be so recognized by the apex body of the Profession is indeed a thing of pride.
This Award Ceremony will take place at the Auditorium of National Universities Commission in Abuja on December 5, 2023.
