From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Senate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has ratified the appointment of Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), to oversee the office of the Vice-Chancellor in an acting capacity as Professor Charles Esimone’s tenure ends on June 3, 2024.
This announcement was made at a special Senate meeting held at the University Auditorium on Monday.
Professor Ikechebelu, being the only Deputy Vice-Chancellor in the institution, was announced in accordance with the NUC’s circular to Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities dated May 28, 2024.
The circular, entitled “RE: END OF TENURE OF SOME VICE-CHANCELLORS OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES,” directed outgoing Vice-Chancellors to hand over to the most senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, as recommended by their Senate, to temporarily oversee the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Esimone is scheduled to officially hand over to Professor Ikechebelu later today, with Ikechebelu assuming office on June 4, 2024.
Professor Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu is an astute administrator, an erudite professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, a Minimal Access Surgeon, a fertility expert, an accomplished entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a humble and silent achiever, a man of excellence, and above all, a man after God’s own heart.
He received his higher education at the University of Nigeria, earned a Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons, and completed specialized training at Civic Hospital Ottawa, Canada.
He rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University in 2008. His research has distinguished him as a renowned fertility expert and Gynaecological endoscopic surgeon par excellence, with over 150 scholarly publications in reputable national and international journals. He was listed in the Scopus First 500 scholars in Nigeria in 2020 and among the top 10 academics in UNIZIK Awka in 2021 based on article citations and publications.
His outstanding achievements, besides his numerous awards and recognitions, include his sterling performance as Director of Academic Planning (2019-2021) and Dean of Medicine (2012-2014) of the University, which earned him the accolade “Digital Dean” for his innovative digital transformation of the Faculty of Medicine and Academic planning unit of the University, respectively.
He is a member of notable societies and associations, including the International College of Surgeons, World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons, the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology, and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. He is a Life Member of the Society of Gynaecology & Obstetrics of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons. He is also the pioneer president of the Association of Gynaecological Endoscopy Surgeons (AGES), Nigeria.
He pioneered the establishment of Minimal Access Surgery (Laparoscopy) [2006] and the provision of prevention of Mother-to-child transfusion of HIV (PMTCT) [2003] services at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. He also pioneered the establishment of Assisted Reproductive Technology Services in Anambra State [2010], with the delivery of its first IVF conception (aka Baby Joseph) on August 6, 2011.
Professor Ikechebelu and his team have trained over 300 doctors (including Gynaecologists, Surgeons, Anaesthesiologists, and Medical Officers) and over 40 Peri-operative Nurses in the field of Minimal Access Surgery as the founder and Course Director of Life Institute for Endoscopy [since 2010]. He is also the initiator and promoter of the Always Life Fountain initiative (ALFI) since 2012. Through this organization, he offers scholarships to school children, indigent University Students, and support to widows.
He is the Editor-in-chief of the Journal of HIV and Human Reproduction, Deputy Editor-in-chief of the Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences, and Special Assistant to the Editor of the Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice.
He is the Chairman of the Faculty of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) since 2019 and serves as the Chief Examiner for all its Primary, Membership, and Fellowship examinations for doctors specializing in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. He was certified in 2021 by the NUC-NOUN Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education as a Certified Accreditor for Programme and Institutional Accreditation.