The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka regretfully announced the death of a Professor of Geology at the University of Ibadan, Prof Anthony Azubuike Elueze who passed on in the early hours of Sunday, 25 June, 2017 at the age of 68.
The special release made available to CEOAfrica by the University of Ibadan reads:
The late Professor Elueze was born on 10 September, 1949 to the family of Late Chief Pius Okonkwo Elueze (Icheku-achi-Igwe, Nwa ka Ibea) and Madam Beatrice Nkeadi Elueze (nee Onianwa, Achasia Eze Agbala) of Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.
He had his primary education at St. Theresa’s School, Jebba, Sacred Heart’s School, Ibusa and then St. Theresa’s School, Zaria. His secondary school education was at St Pius De XTH Grammar School, Onicha-Ugbo, Delta State, between January 1963 and December, 1967, and he completed his West African School Certificate in Division 1. He was Prefect at various levels and ultimately the Senior School Prefect in his final year.
He completed successfully the Advanced Level in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry within two years on part-time basis at the Methodist Boys’ High School, while working in the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos. He was admitted to the three-year degree programme of the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan in 1971 and graduated in 1974 with First Class Honours. He won the Odeyinde Prize as the best graduating student. He did the mandatory NYSC programme in 1974/1975, during which he taught at the famous Government College, Bida. He returned to his alma mata, the University of Ibadan, for his M.Phil. (1975-1977) and Ph.D (1977-1980) programmes in the Department of Geology. He was a University Scholar at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He was a recipient of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) fellowship in 1979 as part of his doctoral research.
He joined the services of the University of Ibadan on 1st October, 1976 as a Graduate Assistant, and through the dint of hard-work, dedication, careful attention to details and perseverance, he progressed to each succeeding grade within the then prevailing minimum period.
He was promoted to the rank of Professor on 1 October, 1991. He served the University of Ibadan with distinction in various capacities: he was Acting Head of Department of Geology (1989 – 91; 1994-1995) and Professor and Head of Department (1995 – 1998). He was at various times, Postgraduate Coordinator and Member Quality Assurance Committee; Member, Postgraduate and Research Committee, Board of Examiners, Appointments and Promotions Committee and Departmental Consultancy Services Committee, among others.
Prof. Elueze was also on various occasions member of the Faculty of Science Financial Procedures, Reorganization and Improvement Committee, Postgraduate Funds Allocation Committee, Board of the Postgraduate School, as well as the Faculty of Science Representative on the Appointments and Promotions Committee for Academic Staff.
He was Member, Council Committee on the Rationalization and Commercialization of the Motor Transport and Maintenance Workshop, Member, Business Committee of Senate; University of Ibadan Honorary Degrees Committee, and Chairman, Staff and Student’s Sub-Committee of the University of Ibadan Vision for the 21st Century Committee. During a sabbatical leave (2007-2009) at the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, he served as the institution’s Head of Department of Geology and Physics.
Professor Elueze was much respected by his professional colleagues as one of the most eminent and outstanding geologists of his generation. He was member of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) (F-76-0330), Secretary, Association of Ibadan University Geologists (AIUG) and Member, Council of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) (1994 – 2011). He was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Mining and Geology and several other publications of the Society (1994 to 2009). During his tenure, he solely sourced the funding for the production of the Journal by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and lifted the Editorial Office to an enviable position of being self-sustaining. He was also on the Advisory Editorial Board of the Journal of Science Research of the Faculty of Science.
After serving the Society meritoriously for many years, he was elected the 25th President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) (2009-2011). Among his outstanding professional accolades included being a Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), Fellow of Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) and Fellow of the Geological Society of London (FGS). He served as a Member of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) (2009-2011) and of the Council of the Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) (2009-2011). He was one of the pioneer COMEG Registered Geoscientists (GEM 000053). He was the 2016 recipient of highly prestigious NMGS/Rt Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Award of a gold medal and a plaque.
He belonged to other professional Geoscience organizations such as the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE); Nigerian Association of Hydrogeologists (NAH); Geological Society of Africa (GSA); Science Association of Nigeria (SAN); International Liaison Group on Gold Mineralization (ILGGM); Association of Geoscientists for International Development (AGID) and Geochemical Society (GS), among others.
He was Member, UNESCO International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP), and IGCP Scientific Committee, 1989 – 91. At various times, he served as Chairman/ Member, National Universities Commission (NUC) Accreditation Panels. He was Chairman of the Quality Assurance Committee of the National Universities Council Board (2013-2015).
Late Professor Elueze was a consultant to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology on some natural hazards such as the purported volcanic eruption in Ekiti State (1997), as well as reported earth tremors in Odo Ona Elewe, Ibadan (2002). He was Nigerian Liaison/Representative for the 11th International Mineral, Gem and Fossil Exhibition, Athens, Greece, 1997. He served as Member, Committee for the Upgrade of the School of Mines, Jos, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Abuja, (2003-2004). He also served as Member, Ph.D. Central Selection Committee (CSC) for Overseas Scholarship Scheme, (PTDF), Abuja, (2004-2005). He was Leader, Research Team on Identifying the Roles of Local Communities including Women and Child Labour in the Development of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining in Africa among others.
The late Professor of Economic and Mining Geology supervised 15 Ph.D candidates, over 70 M.Sc and numerous B.Sc. students. He was also external examiner to many Nigerian and foreign Universities. Until his death, he was Hall Master, Independence Hall, University of Ibadan as well as Member, Board of Directors, Monmodu-Jamiu Oyawoye Foundation. Professor Elueze was a prominent member of the University of Ibadan Senior Staff club and close friend of many teaching and non-teaching staff across various Faculties and other Universities.
He is survived by an aged mother, his wife, Mrs. Nneka Julia Elueze, five children: Azukaego, Dr. Isioma, Dr. (Mrs) Ifeoma Mudele, Ifeyinwa and Chukwunedum; brothers, sisters, in-laws, relations and mentees. He will be greatly missed by his family, geologists’ family worldwide, students, colleagues, friends, relations, and the entire University of Ibadan community.
May his soul rest in peace.
