Celestine Onwuliri

Celestine Onyemobi Elihe Onwuliri (17 February 1952 – 3 June 2012) was an academician in the field of Parasitology.

He served as the 5th Vice Chancellor of the FUTO University.

He was also the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos.

Onwuliri served in other capacities like a university professor and Honorable Commissioner.

Following his passing, the Graduate Theological Foundation established the Celestine O. E. Onwuliri Fellowship in Scientific Research and Human Values in his honor.

The fellowship, based in the United States, reflects his impact on scientific research and the importance he placed on human values.

Celestine Onyemobi Elihe Onwuliri was born in Umuokazi, Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo state, Nigeria.

He faced the early loss of both his parents: his father, Adolpus, when he was a toddler, and his mother, Rosanna, during his adolescence.

He completed his primary education at St. Jude's Catholic Primary School, Amuzi, and continued to Community Secondary School, Amuzi.

Onwuliri graduated with a division 1 in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

He pursued higher education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Celestine Onwuliri's earned University of Nigeria's Foundation AID Scholarship from 1972 to 1975.

In 1975, he graduated with a Second Class Upper Honours degree in Zoology.

Onwuliri's academic pursuits led him to further studies, including a Ph.D. in Parasitology (1980) after a year of research training at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

He was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's prize for the Best Overall Graduating Postgraduate Student in 1980.

His dedication to education and pursuit of excellence extended to his family.

One of Professor Onwuliri's contributions to science is his description of a dichotomous pathway of energy metabolism in the infective stages of parasitic nematodes which confirmed the presence of functional Krebs cycle enzymes in parasitic nematodes (published in Parasitology, 90:169-177[1985]).

He was also an editor of many scientific journals including the Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, International Journal of Environment health and human development, Journal of General studies and Nigerian Journal of Natural sciences where he was chairman of the editorial advisory board.

At the University of Jos, he was part of the pioneer team that nurtured to fruition three Postgraduate programmes in the department of Zoology namely – Applied Entomology and Parasitology, Applied Hydrobiology and Fisheries, and Conservation Biology and Ornithological Studies where over 600 scientists have been produced.

He held several positions including:

He also worked outside UNIJOS as the following:

Prof. Onwuliri served as consultant to several national and international organizations chief among which are:

This event, held during the years 1998–99, gained recognition as one of the most successful National Sports Festivals in Nigeria's history.

He also served as Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, where his contributions aimed at enhancing agricultural development and resource management within the state.

In addition to his governmental roles, Professor Onwuliri held leadership positions in various organizations.

He founded and served as President of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) Jos Branch, fostering connections among alumni and promoting educational initiatives.

He was appointed by WHO as Advisor on its Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) project in WHO/African Programme on Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) assisted countries (2003)

One of his sons, Emeka Onwuliri, followed in his footsteps and achieved a First Class in Engineering, becoming the Best Overall Graduating Undergraduate Student at the University of Nigeria in 2004.

Another son, Toochukwu Onwuliri, attained a Distinction in Petroleum Engineering at the MSc level from RGU, Aberdeen.

Celestine Onwuliri was married to Prof. (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri, and they had five children.

Onwuliri moved to University of Jos after his PhD and subsequently garnered over 32 years of teaching, research, administrative and community service experience across six universities culminating in his becoming the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos and then fifth substantive Vice Chancellor of the FUTO.

Professor Celestine Onwuliri was known in helminthic parasitological research including the ecology and epidemiology of parasitic helminthes which causes many severe communicable diseases such as Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease), Onchocerciasis (River blindness), Filariasis, schistomiasis and other intestinal helminthosis.

In this research he taught 25 doctor of philosophy (PhD) candidates and more than 160 candidates at MSc.

and Bsc.

levels in Nigeria and overseas, many of whom became professors, administrators, politicians, and businesspeople.

Professor C.O.E. Onwuliri published over 200 articles in peer reviewed journals, and presented several invited papers nationally and internationally.

He consequently received and attracted many grants, international linkages and affiliations.

He became Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Owerri between 2006–2011.

Concomitantly, he served as Alternate Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors (CVC) of Nigerian Universities (June 2010 – February 2011) and briefly as Chairman of CVC (February 2011 – June 2011).

During his tenure as Honorable Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Youth in Imo State, Professor Onwuliri played a pivotal role in hosting the 11th National Sports Festival, also known as "IMO 98."