The University of Lagos Senate, on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, honoured two of its members, Professor Joy Okpuzor and Professor Rosemary Egonmwan, as they take a bow out of the university service.
The retirement date of Professor Joy Okpuzor, a Biochemist and Molecular Biologist, is February 28, 2024 while that of Professor Rosemary Egonmwan, Professor of Environmental Physiology of Animals and Conservation, is March 10, 2024.
In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, congratulated the duo for their illustrious service, in various capacities, to the University in particular and Nigeria, in general.
While wishing them well as they exit active government service, Prof. Ogunsola, on behalf of management, staff and students, prayed that God grants them good health, sound mind and longevity to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
In their separate responses, the duo expressed gratitude to the University Senate for the honour. They also thanked the UNILAG community for providing a platform for them to be able to find career fulfilment while contributing to the body of knowledge and grooming of future leaders.
Professor Joy Okpuzor started her academic career in the University of Lagos where obtained her Ph.D on December 17, 1991. She became a Professor in the Department of Cell Biology & Genetics on October 1, 2010.
With over sixty-four (64) publications in peer reviewed Journals to her credit, Professor Okpuzor has trained over 9 Ph.Ds and supervised over 70 MSc students. She has examined at least 5 Ph.D theses of which one was from South Africa and has assessed 8 Professorial appointments.
She has served the University in many different capacities including Course Adviser, Departmental Co-coordinator of SIWES, Departmental Welfare Officer, Acting Head, Dept of Cell Biology & Genetics, Chairman of Faculty of Environmental Science Examination Malpractice Committee, Chairman of Faculty of Engineering Examination Malpractice committee, among others.
Outside the University, she was Chairman of the National Universities Commission Accreditation Panel, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (June, 2015) and National Accreditation Panel, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, (November, 2014. She has also served as President, Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology as well as Member Board of Trustees for the Society for Analytical and Forensic Scientists of Nigeria and Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology.
Professor Rosemary Iriowen Egonmwan was born on March 10, 1954. The thorough bred alumna of the University of Lagos holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from UNILAG (1977 and 1981) as well as a D.Phil. (Zoology) from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom (1988).
She started her teaching career in the University of Lagos in 1982 as an Assistant Lecturer and rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Environmental Physiology of Animals and Conservation in the Department of Zoology in 2007.
Professor Egonmwan has successfully supervised 10 PhD candidates, numerous Masters and Undergraduate students. She has also served the University in various capacities including: Head, Natural Resources Conservation Unit (2006 to date); House Mistress, Kofo Ademola Hall (2015-2017); Chair, University’s Conservation Committee (2013-2015); and Member, School of Postgraduate Studies Board (2003 to date). She has also served Board Member of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for four years, from 2012 to 2016.
Outside the walls of the University, Professor Egonmwan was appointed the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vita Foam Nigeria PLC in March, 2023. Prior to her appointment, she had served as a member of several committees and subsidiaries of the company as well as an Independent Non-Executive Director, from 2017 to 2023.
A Princess of Benin Royal family, Professor Egonmwan is happily married and blessed with children and grandchildren.
