SHOWCASING 23 IGEDE PERSONALITIES ENROUTE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS – First Edition
Professor John Odo Ibu, B.Sc, MBBS, Ph.D, MRSH, FRS, Med, FRSH, FICA
In continuation of my series on the 23 Igede bold personalities in the political permutations, equation and negotiations with other ethnic nationalities and political stakeholders as we are en route to 2023 general elections, my searchlight has once again caught on another worthy son of Agba, and he is no any other person than our very own Erudite Professor John Odo Ibu, B.Sc, MBBS, Ph.D, MRSH, FRS, Med, FRSH, FICA.
Permit me to say from the outset that I am not qualified to write about Professor Ibu or any of the 23 Igede bold personalities that I have penned down to write about, because, I do not have the requisite competence and qualification to put together their tall resume and contributions to the Nigerian nation in particular and humanity in general. So, for me, I see it as a rare privilege to put together a piece about the personalities which is solely for the purpose of showcasing Igede illustrious sons and daughters to other ethnic nationalities with a view to birthing a new conversation for the sociopolitical development of Igede nation. I also note that my first publication was a bit lengthy as it contained both the prologue and the abridged profile of the personality involved before the real message. I would, therefore, do my best to be precise as much as possible in respect of the present personality, even though his profile is as much lengthy as the first personality.
Let us have a little trip into the world of this great but simple son of Igede nation. Prof John Odo Ibu was born on November 28, 1948 in Ikachi, Benue, Nigeria, to Mr. Ibu Atirogo and Rebecca Inyangbe Ibu. He is a medical educator and gastroenterology consultant; registered physician, Nigerian Medical Council, General Medical Council, United Kingdom, Commonwealth Medical fellow, Commonwealth School Committee, London, 1986-1987, Senior Commonwealth Medical fellow, 1990; Scholar Federal Government of Nigeria, 1977-1980.
Prof Ibu had his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physiology with 1st class honours, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, 1972; Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, ABU Zaria, Nigeria, 1975; Doctor of Philosophy, University Nottingham, England, 1980; Advanced Postgraduate Certified in Gastroenterology, University of London, 1980. He again Graduated with distinction, Education Committee Foreign Medical Graduates, Philadelphia, 1991.
Prof Ibu, over the years, has charted a career path in the following summary trajectories–
UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION:
a) Head of Department of Physiology in (7) Seven Nigerian Universities, to wit, Universities of Port Harcourt, Jos, Calabar, Uyo, Cross Rivers State Okuku, Benue State University Makurdi, and Federal University Lafia
b) Dean of Basic Medical Sciences in (4) Nigerian Universities, to wit, Universities of Calabar, Okuku, BSU Makurdi and Lafia.
c) Provost College of Health Sciences in Universities of PortHarcourt, Okuku and Lafia.
d) Visiting Prof, on Research Leave to UK and USA,1990-91.
f) Commonwealth Medical Visiting Professor, Kings College, University of London and University of Birmingham, England, UK, 1990; among others.
POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS:
a) Benue State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning
b) Benue State Commissioner of Housing and Environment
c) Benue State Commissioner of Water and Electricity
d) Benue State Commissioner of Works and Transport.
e) Chairman NAFDAC Governing Council
f) Chairman Benue State Teaching Hospital
g) Chairman Hospital Management Board, Benue State, etc.
HISTORICAL:
a) First Igede person to get First Class Honours (Physiology) in any subject
b) First Igede person to qualify as a Medical Doctor
c) First Igede person to be appointed a Professor in any discipline
d) First Benue State Medical Doctor to be appointed Professor in any discipline
e) First Nigerian to be appointed Commonwealth Visiting Professor in University of London, UK
f) First Nigerian to be appointed Commonwealth Visiting Professor in University of Nottingham, UK
g) First Nigerian to be appointed Commonwealth Visiting Professor in University of Birmingham, UK
h) First Nigerian to be appointed ECFMG Professor in Duke University Medical Centre, Durham USA.
The foregoing is a summary of the resume of an Igede son. This is very intimidating and at the same time, inspiring! In my own assessment, which has been independently confirmed by his friends and associates, Prof Ibu is a man of 3c – character, courage and charisma, coupled with his exceptional academic qualifications and excellent track records and integrity. It suffices to say that Prof. Ibu has distinguished himself in the field of medicine and navigated life ridges and he is eminently qualified to hold any political office in Nigeria and beyond.
Like his predecessor in my first series, it may be argued that Prof. Ibu is not a politician in the sense of being a card-carrying member of a political party and so should not have anything to do with politics. This argument might be correct to the extent that he, indeed, is not a career politician as it were. What is not in dispute, however, about Prof. Ibu as demonstrated by the above recap of his resume and confirmed by some of his friends and associates is the fact that he has the competence of a good leader to represent his people at any level of the country’s political leadership. He has the charm, the sagacity, dexterity and negotiating skills to present Igede position before any individual, organization and institution of the state, albeit human frailties common to all mortals.
Prof. Ibu is respected among his colleagues and contemporaries as one of the best, having built competence, confidence, trust and good relationships among his equals and the mighty across different sectors. Igede nation should be proud to have him as their son, just as Zone C, Benue State and Nigeria are indeed proud to have him, evidencing in his holding of various positions across the country. Certainly, when the chips are down, Nigeria would need his breed, because he has something to bring to the table. We must, therefore, leverage on this exceptional son of Igede nation by lining him up in the squads to lead Igrede in the debate on the power sharing in Benue State in general and in Zone C in particular as we are en route to 2023 general elections.
It is possible that Prof. Ibu might not even be interested in contesting any election or accepting any political appointment into any of the positions I had earlier highlighted in my first publication on the grounds of personal principles and values, and I won’t blame him if he chooses not to. After all, the Nigerian political arena is very foggy and greasy, as most of the players are without values and character. It is my personal belief and conviction, however, that given the stuff Prof. Ibu is made of, he has the capacity to make other people leaders from Igede nation, because his love for the growth and development of Igede land is unparalleled. For me, he is also one of the oracles in Igede nation. Let us consult him as one in our quest towards building a new Igede of our dream.
I would avoid falling into the error of making this piece too lengthy in order not to bore my reading audience; otherwise, I would highlight few of the Prof’s Ibu’s contributions to Igede nation, Benue State Senatorial District (Zone C), Benue State Government and indeed Nigerian nation. But I would leave this aspect to my reading audience as they are the final arbiters.
Igede Ihiooo!
Look forward to the 3rd Igede bold Personality….
James Udor Ebe, Esq.
President, Igede Rebirth League
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in this write up are strictly those of the author, based on his personal convictions, research and information sourced from relevant materials about the individual(s). It must also be noted that the write up is not a sponsored or paid advert for any personal, clannish or political interest. It is a personal project of the author in his capacity as the son of Agba and the president of Igede Rebirth League, a civil society organization registered for the promotion of socio-cultural values, good governance and socio-political development of Igede nation.
Comments