JONATHAN IS THE GRAND PATRON OF BMU!
EMERITUS PROFESSOR NIMI D. BRIGGS (OON) & TOP NIGERIAN ACADEMICS DECORATE DR. GOODLUCK JONATHAN (GCFR, GCON) AS GRAND PATRON OF THE BAYELSA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY(BMU) AS JONATHAN PLEDGES TO PULL HIS WEIGHT TO ATTRACT FUNDING TO THE UNIVERSITY- MONDAY, 7TH JUNE 2021.
Former President of Nigeria and Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (GCFR, GCON) was decorated on Monday when the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the BMU Governing Council, Emeritus Professor Nimi D. Briggs led other members of Council including the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ebitimitula N. Etebu and Principal officers of the University to the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Head Office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on a courtesy visit.
Remarks by Emeritus Prof. Nimi D. Briggs, Pro Chancellor /Chairman of Council.
The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, founded by the former President of Nigeria is an independent non-governmental organization established in 2015 for the advancement of peace and prosperity on the African continent, dedicated to promoting peace and reconciliation, advancing democratic governance, advocating for inclusive governance and economic development, promoting citizen’s rights, and continental and national integration.
The BMU delegation was in the former President’s Office in Yenagoa to thank him for the role he played in ensuring that BMU came into existence with late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha which resulted in the building of the 500-hundred bed hospital. The visit was equally to brief him of events lined up towards achieving accreditation for the University as well as formally inform him that BMU is doing well and will need the cooperation of every Bayelsan, as well as make a case for the former President to associate himself with BMU so as to grow its potential, funding and partnerships.
Leader of the delegation, Emeritus Professor Nimi D. Briggs (OON), in his remarks, explained that he was impressed with the former President’s genuine commitment to national development and his contributions to the growth of education in the country. He noted that he was delighted at the profile and personality the former president has consistently maintained and exhibited within and outside Nigeria. He commended the foresight of the former President in trying to secure the health of Bayelsa people and by extension Nigeria. He stated that “whenever you want the life of an institution to continue in perpetuity, set an educational component to it”. This was the idea behind the establishment of BMU from the 500 hundred bed hospital.
Speaking further, the Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology noted that having been granted approval for some programmes by Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), BMU has now formerly been baptized and accepted in the comity of higher education institutions in the nation. With over 300 students with some now at the 200 level, BMU was about to go into the next phase, which will involve clinical subjects, this was the perfect time for the 500 hundred bed hospital to be up and running for students to learn practically and do bed side learning to produce the first set of doctors in the next four years.
Remarks by Dr. Jonathan, Chairman Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.
On his part, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan welcomed the BMU team and thanked the Pro Chancellor for honoring him and his wife with the decoration. The Former President used the opportunity to congratulate the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Seriake Dickson for the establishment of BMU. He stated that irrespective of the arguments for or against the setting-up of BMU, its establishment will help Bayelsa State and neighboring states.
The former president expressed delight at the caliber of persons that constitute the Governing Council and Management of BMU noting that they are one of the best in the Country. He noted that having these personalities as Pioneer Governing Council members the University was bound to succeed adding that the Bayelsa was grateful to have Pro Chancellor, of the caliber of Prof. Nimi Briggs.
Dr. Jonathan further stated that universities are international centers of learning therefore there must be diversity in the workforce. He pledged his full support to the development of the only Medical University in the State and the second public Medical University in Nigeria.
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (GCFR, GCON ) holds a bachelor’s degree in Zoology, a Masters in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology; and a Doctorate in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. He served as the President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010 and as Governor of Bayelsa State from 2005 to 2007.
Since leaving office, Jonathan has continued to contribute greatly to the development of Nigeria. In 2019, he was appointed Honorary Special Adviser to the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund Board. In June 2019, Goodluck Jonathan emerged as chairperson of the newly inaugurated International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP). In July 2020, Jonathan was appointed Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); to lead mediation talks during the 2020 Malian protests.
The team from BMU on this visit was made up of the following:
MERITUS PROFESSOR NIMI BRIGGS (OON), EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, PRO CHANCELLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL .
Prof. Nimi Briggs is a Nigerian academic, scholar an Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He served as Vice-Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt twice, from 1995 to 96 and 2000 until 2005. He is former Chairman Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and the Chairman of the Board of the National Hospitals. Between 2007 and 2008. He was Pro-Chancellor Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike. He is Chairman, Board of Sports Institute, University of Port Harcourt. He received a National Service Act of Bravery Award for his Military duty during the Nigerian civil war. He “fought” for the unity of Nigeria during the 30-month long Nigerian Civil war, when he served as a Field Captain (Medical Officer) with the Nigerian Army at the 3 Field Ambulance of 3 Division, Nigerian Army. His publications and academic contributions are uncountable. To name but a few, his Professional and Academic achievements include: Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, London (MRCOG), Fellow of the Nigeria Medical Council in Obstetrics and Gynecology (FMCOG), Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS), Fellow of the International College of Surgeons (FICS), Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, London (FRCOG), Fellow Nigerian Academy of Science (FAS). He has over 50 honours, distinctions, scholarships and awards, over 50 career positions/appointments, important services to tertiary educational and health institutions and management organizations. He has over 47 external examination/evaluation, full registration as a Medical Practitioner General Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Educational Council For Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), over 50 professorial inaugural lecture and valedictory lectures, over 18 books published, over 39 Consultancy to Government and Non-Governmental Organizations. He has contributed to National Development with the treatment of patients with Vesico-Vaginal Fistual (VVF) and pioneering the campaign for Safe Motherhood in Northern Nigeria, appointed member of a 10 persons strategy advisory committee (STRADVCOM) to assist the National Universities Commission in its determination to urgently revitalize the Nigerian Universities System.
HON DR. GENTLE EMELAH, COUNCIL MEMBER AND COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION BAYELSA STATE.
Holder of a Master's Degree from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, where he bagged his MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM). Holder of a Doctorate degree in Management at the unique University of Port Harcourt. He began his political career when Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Governor appointed him Commissioner in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Service Commission from 2006 to 2008. Former Bayelsa State House of Assembly to represent Yenagoa Constituency III, in the 4th and 5th Assembly (2011-2019). Fellow of the Institute of corporate administrators, a fellow of the National institute of strategic administrator
AMBASSADOR DR. GODKNOWS BOLADEI IGALI (OON), COUNCIL MEMBER
A man with excellent hose writing skills, a Nigerian public servant, diplomat, author and scholar, a former Nigerian ambassador to the Scandinavian countries - Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway, a Federal Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Water Resources, a Ph.D in political and international studies from University of Venezuela, masters in international law and diplomacy, he received the national honours of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, (OON), a distinguished himself as an expert on economic diplomacy and served as secretary to about ten (10) Nigerian Economic Missions abroad between 1986–1991, He was appointed the Nigerian consul, as the special assistant (special duties) in the Nigerian Presidential Villa (2005–2006), was concurrently named honorary adviser and peace envoy to the President on Niger Delta (2006–2007), In Cameroon, he played a key role in the Bakassi Peninsular peace effort following border dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon and the subsequent International Court of Justice judgement of 2002.
CHIEF PROF. ROSE EZONBODOR-AKWAGBE, COUNCIL MEMBER, PROFESSOR OF NURSING, NDU.
Member of the Bayelsa Medical University Governing Council. Doctorate Degree in Health Education with Specialization in AIDS Health Education, University of Ibadan. Coordinator, United States Presidential Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR, Niger Delta University Chapter, and in December, 2009, Visiting Professor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Dean faculty of Nursing, NDU.
The first female to be appointed Associate Professor with the Education Lecturing Services, UK, the first female Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Nursing, Niger Delta University, the first Female Coordinator to be appointed by the United State Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief(PEPFAR) Niger Delta University’s Chapter, the first female Dean of the only Faculty of Nursing in Nigeria as a whole, the first Bayelsan to be appointed Professor of Nursing by the Northwestern University, Florida, USA.
DR. AZIBA-ALOAGUO SEIBOFA, DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE.
Appointed Pioneer Director General Ministry Of Agriculture And Natural Resources Bayelsa State, Member Bayelsa/Rivers States Assets/Liabilities Sharing Committee, appointed Permanent Secretary Into Bayelsa State Civil Service In 2003 And Retired In November 2006, Member Visitation Panel To Federal Polytechnic Nekede Imo State 2012, Member Bayelsa State Scholarship Board 2012-2016, Member Pioneer Governing Council Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Member Pioneer Governing Council Bayelsa State Medical University March 2019 To Date, Member Institute Of Corporate Administration (MCAI), Fellow Institute Of Sales Management (FNISM), Member Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Member Nigeria Red Cross Society.
PROFESSOR TARILA TEBEPAH, A PROFESSOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY COUNCIL MEMBER.
Member of Council BMU, former Chairman NDDC, former Trustee TETFUND, former State Secretary PDP, former Bayelsa state Commissioner of Health.
MR. ENIEKEZIMENE DANIEL ESETEBOFA (FCNA, FCE, FCTI), PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF FINANCE, Council Member.
Rivers State University of Science and Technology 1995-2000, PGD and MBA; University of Port Harcourt 2010 -2014, MSc; University of Port Harcourt, 2016-2021, PhD.
Served with the Rivers State Ministry of Finance, Department of Internal Revenue, served with the State Treasury Department, still in Ministry of Finance as Principal accountant. Serving in different Ministries, Department and Agencies as head and director of Finance and Accounts.
In 2016, he was appointed the Accountant General of the State, a position I held for three years, until 2019 when he was appointed Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance. He serves in various Committees and.
PROF. EBITIMITULA NICHOLAS ETEBU, PROFESSOR OF PATHOLOGY, VICE-CHANCELLOR, COUNCIL MEMBER.
Former Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa., A Professor of Pathology, former Commissioner for Health, Ministry of Health, Bayelsa State, Member, Nigerian Medical Association – NMA, – MDCAN. Nigeria – ASSOPON, – SMARS, a man who Pioneered the health insurance system in Bayelsa State, the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor Bayelsa Medical University.
Member, Nigerian Medical Association – NMA.
Member, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria – MDCAN.
Member, Association of Pathologists of Nigeria – ASSOPON.
Member, Sports Medicine Association of Nigeria – SMARS
Member, Badminton Association of Nigeria.
Pioneer the health insurance system in Bayelsa State.
He has over 45 Academic Publications in local and international journals.
PROF. PAINGHA JOE ALAGOA, DVC, PROFESSOR OF SURGERY, COUNCIL MEMBER
A Professor of Surgery. He is a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College and the International College of Surgeons, He has a passion for Breast and Gastrointestinal Surgery, He is a member of several Professional bodies including the International College of Surgeons in which he serves as a member of Council (Nigerian Section). He is an editor of the Niger Delta Medical Journal.
DR. GUAGHA MICKY BEREZI, REGISTRAR/SECRETARY TO COUNCIL.
Doctor of Philosophy (University Governance), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK – 2008, Master of Education (Higher Education Management and Planning), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria – 1987. Guagha Micky Berezi is a Higher Education Administrator with 30 years cognate experience in the sector and having worked across four higher education institutions. he held several positions within the administrative structure of the institutions such as Admissions Officer, Governing Council Officer, Senate/Academic Board Officer, Students Examinations and Records Officer, Faculty Officer, University Advancement and Linkages Officer, Pensions Officer, Entrepreneurship Development Officer, Executive Assistant to Vice Chancellor and currently the Registrar of Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa. He assisted the Bayelsa State Government in establishing the Niger Delta University in 2001, the Bayelsa State College of Education (now Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education) in 2010 and Bayelsa Medical University in 2018.
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Administration in Nigeria (FCIA) 2015, Fellow, Institute of Certified Public Administrators of England and Wales (FCPA), 2013, Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (FCAI), 2012, Member, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), 2015, Member, Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE), United Kingdom, 2004, Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), 2010, Member, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), 2011, Member, Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA), Nigeria, 2000.
PROFESSOR OLUGBENRO JOSHUA BENEDICTUS OSINOWO, COUNCIL MEMBER
A trained as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at various UK hospitals ending up as a Senior Registrar at the University Hospitals of Wales, Cardiff., He was a member of an all Nigerian team to perform the first open-heart surgery at the UCH, Ibadan In 1978, He was promoted to the grade of Professor of Surgery in 1989 at the University Ibadan, Professor Osinowo was a recipient of the Commonwealth Postgraduate Scholarship (1983-84), a Research Fellow at the London University Postgraduate Medical School (1986-87), Professor Osinowo is widely published, He speaks English, Yoruba, German, Arabic and French. Professor Osinowo is a devout Catholic and a Knight of the Order of Saint Mulumba.
DR. STEVEN T. OLALI, CHAPLIN, BAYELSA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY.
Doctor of philosophy history, a historian and Bayelsa State, writer, Chief Archivist Bayelsa State, Chaplin, Bayelsa Medical University.
MR. GEOFFREY ALAGBA, PRINCIPAL OFFICER, BURSAR
Chartered Accountant of (ANAN) at the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Jos. He is a Chartered System Accountant (USA), He worked for the Budget and Control Department, Ministry of Finance, worked as a Reconciliation Officers at the Office of the Accountant General, He is a member of several professional Associations ACSA (USA), (ANAN), (ICPAN), (ABNU), (SIFMIS), (ABIT), He is the Substantive Pioneer Bursar of Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Member of the prestigious NIIA
Dr. VICTOR IDIEDO, PRINCIPAL OFFICER, UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN.
He is a Lawyer and a Librarian, BSc. in Library and Information Science, MSc. in Library and Information Science, PhD in Library and Information science, LLB degree in Law, Attended the Nigerian Law School Kano for my BL degree, I was called to Bar 2015, Being the only Lawyer Librarian in Bayelsa State, he was appointed Librarian of the Bayelsa Medical University.
DR. MARIE THERESE TEIBOWEI (FICA, MNIIA), PRO/AG. DIR IFL-BT.
She has a Ph.D in French and International Studies from the Rivers State University of Education, Ignatius Ajuru. She is a media expert with over 15 years’ experience in the media industry. She has a Master’s Degree in Translation and Interpretation and a BSc. Double Honours Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications/ Gender Studies. Currently she is the Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa Medical University, and Acting Director of Institute of Foreign Languages & Biomedical Translations (IFL-BT).
PRINCE DIETTE-SPIFF, CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER, BMU.
Prince Phillip D. Diete-Spiff is an Intelligence Specialist and Counter Terrorism Expert.
He is among the first set of Nigerians to obtain a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Intelligence and Security Studies globally. His areas of specialization include Campus Security Policy, Policing and Crime Management, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Crisis and Emergency Planning, Security Strategy Development, amongst others.
Prince Diete-Spiff was Head of Intelligence Unit in the Federal University Otuoke,
as well as Supervisor to Desk Officers for Trade Unions (ASUU, SSANU, NASU, and NAAT) in the same institution.