PROFESSOR JOHNSON OGODA ONAH (a professor of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State).
Professor Johnson Ogoda Onah was born in Uje Anchim of Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, through a humble family of Chief Isaac Ona Ejugwu and Madam Agbo Ohuma Ejugwu, precisely on the 16th of February 1953. His primary education started in January 1960 to December 1966 at Methodist Primary School Anchim. His Secondary Education commenced in January 1967 at Government Secondary School, Katsina-Ala and passed out in December 1971. He then proceeded to Government College Keffi for Higher School Certificate (HSC). Got admission into the prestigious University of Ibadan in 1972 and graduated with Honours degree in Biochemistry in 1976. Did National Service (NYSC) in Kaduna State from August 1976 to July 1977. Took up appointment with the College of Education Katsina-Ala in August 1977. In 1978, secured admission into the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland where he acquired a Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1981. When the Federal University of Technology was established in Makurdi, he got employed as Lecturer II in Faculty of Pharmacy among the pioneer staff. When the Faculty was relocated to the University of Jos in 1988, he was among the handful that reported. He enrolled into a PhD program at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was conferred with the Degree in 1997. He was a recipient of World Bank assisted research grant that facilitated PhD Scholars to visit Foreign Laboratories for more advanced exposure between 1993 and 1994. Was a Coordinator of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry between 1988 and 1989. Was substantive Head of Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry University of Jos, between 2006 and 2010. Have had the privilege of serving in many administrative Committees of the University over this period of time. He served as an External Examiner to the Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigerian Nsukka between 2009 and 2012. Was also an external examiner to Department of Chemistry Acharia Nagarjuna University, Andra Pradesh University, India (2005 to 2007). Was a Visiting Professor to the Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi (2006 to 2010 and to the Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State between 2012 and 2014. Was Member of Expert Committee on “National Quality Assurance Policy for Medicines and other Health Products” of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja in 2014-2015. Consultant Analyst to “National Malaria Control Program ” Federal Ministry of Health Abuja, 2009 to 2010. Member of National Expert Committee on Ebola crisis. Also served as Consultant to the National Economic Intelligent Committee, 1998 to 1999. Consultant to National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) 2005 to 2006. Had the privilege of serving as member of Visitation Panel to The Benue State University between August 2015 and October 2015. Presently, serving as a member of Governing Council of Benue State University.
Membership of Professional Bodies: Member, University of Jos Accountability and Transparency Unit, ICPC program for Nigerian Universities. Member, Chemical Society of Nigeria; Member Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria; Board Member, Nanomedicine Society of Nigeria; Member, American Chemical Society; Fellow, Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria.
He is a member of many socio-cultural organizations in Igede devoted to the welfare and development of Igede land. Between 1986 and 1988, he was the National Chairman of Igede Development Association (IDA) as it was known then before it was changed to Omi Ny’Igede. He had severally participated in the public discussions on political, economic, educational and social directions for Igede people. He is very conversant with the philosophy, aspirations, cultural limitations or challenges that have stifled the rapid development of Igede land.
He is married to Mrs. Martha Onah and blessed with children. His hobbies include photography, reading, sports and listening to music. A lover of Jazz music.
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