Charles Okechukwu Esimone (born 31 December 1970) is a Nigerian professor of biopharmaceutics and pharmaceutical biotechnology who served as the vice-chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria from 2019 to 2024.[1] He is the first professor of pharmaceutical microbiology in South-Eastern Nigeria.[2]
Professor Charles Esimone | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University | |
| In office 2019–2024 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Ahaneku |
| Succeeded by | Benard Odoh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 December 1970 |
| Alma mater | Nnamdi Azikiwe University |
Early life and education
editEsimone hails from Akwaeze in Anaocha LGA of Anambra State and was born on 31 December 1970 in Tiko, Cameroon.[3] He attended St Joseph's Primary School Tiko, Cameroon from 1976 to 1982[4] and proceeded to St. Joseph's College, Sasse, Buea, Cameroon where he acquired his secondary school certificate in 1987. Esimone had another academic tutelage at the Cameroon College of Arts and Science Kumba, Cameroon and obtained a General Certificate in Education (Advanced Level ) in 1989.[5] He obtained Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) in 1995; Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm.), Pharmaceutical Microbiology in 1998; and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Pharmaceutics in 2002 all from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.[6] Professor Esimone speaks English, French, German and Igbo languages fluently.
Professional career
editEsimone started his career as internee pharmacist and then became a laboratory instructor, all in the Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria Nsukka.[7] He became a professor of biopharmaceutics and pharmaceutical microbiology at the age of 37 years and was the pioneer Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Agulu Campus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.[8] He also served two terms of 2 years each as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.[9][10][11]
He is a researcher with well over 100 publications and in May 2019 was ranked 18th on the list of 28 Most Published Scholars in Nigeria.[12] Prof. Esimone was also the Director of Confucius Institute of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.[13] On the 14 of May 2019 he was elected the new Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.[13]
He is the State Campus Coordinator for Deeper Life Campus Fellowship, Anambra State and also a member, BOT (Board of Trustees) of Anchor University, Lagos.[10]
Awards and recognition
editProf Esimone is a recipient of several awards.[8][14] They include:
- The Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship to Germany (2003–2005)[15]
- Visiting Scientist to the University of Pittsburgh, (2007–2008)[5]
- The ANDI Bright Contest Award for the Best African Innovative Researcher, South Africa (2009)[16]
- Young Scientist (representing Nigeria) at the "Summer Davos" Annual Meeting of New Champions, Tianjin, China (2010)[17]
- CV Raman Senior Fellowship, India (2013)[16]
- Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science (2017)[18]
- Member of the Governing Council of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria,[14] Nnamdi Azikiwe University and the Nanomedicine Society of Nigeria[16]
- Pioneer national president of the Nanomedicine Society of Nigeria[19]
- Recipient of various national and international grants and a reviewer to several national and international journals.[16]
- Member of several professional bodies including the Global Young Academy[20] and the American Society for Cell biology[21]
Personal Life
editProf. Charles Esimone is happily married to Dr. (Mrs) Celestina Chinyere Esimone who is an Associate Professor of Music. They are blessed with five children. Interestingly, they have a son, and a set of quadruplets (two boys and two girls) who are all doing very well.[22]
References
edit- ^ meridianspy (15 May 2019). "UNIZIK Gets New Vice-Chancellor". Meridian Spy. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Ogbu, Emma. "PROF CHARLES ESIMONE BECOMES NEW VICE-CHANCELLOR OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA - Radio Nigeria". Radio Nigeria. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Esimone beats 37 profs to emerge Unizik VC". Punch Newspapers. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone New Unizik Vice Chancellor » 2KINFOMEDIA". 2KINFOMEDIA. 14 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Curriculum vitae professor esimone charles okechukwu house address". azrefs.org. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Esimone beats 37 others to emerge UNIZIK VC". Vanguard News. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Vincent Ujumadu (15 May 2019). "Esimone beats 37 others to emerge UNIZIK VC". Vanguardng. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ a b EduCeleb (14 May 2019). "BREAKING: Esimone emerges UNIZIK new VC". EduCeleb. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Professor Charles Esimone is the New Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK". Campusaga Media. 17 May 2019. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone Elected as new Vice Chancellor". Nnamdi Azikiwe University. 14 May 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Charles Okechukwu's Profile |". Global Young Academy. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Aminu, M. D.; PhD. (4 May 2019). "Nigeria's top researchers (II)". Daily Trust. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ a b Jannah, Chijioke (15 May 2019). "Charles Esimone: Deeper Life pastor emerges new UNIZIK Vice Chancellor months after welcoming quadruplet". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ a b "PinMetrics Alliance Limited ::: Board of Trustees :::". pinmetrics.org. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Prof Esimone inducted into Nigerian Academy of Science". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Unizik Governing Council Appoint Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esemone as 6th Substantive Vice-Chancellor" (PDF). unizik.edu.ng.
- ^ INFO_Donald, U. N. N. (17 May 2019). "Profile of Professor Charles Esimone, UNIZIK New VC". UNN INFO. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Ossai, Anayo (16 May 2017). "Prof Esimone inducted into Nigerian Academy of Science". Nigerian Voice. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- ^ "NAPA ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE: (ABUJA 2018)". www.niprd.net. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Prof. Charles Esimone". Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Obayendo, Temitope (15 May 2019). "Prof. Charles Esimone Emerges New UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor". Pharmanewsonline. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ Emeadi, Agatha (18 March 2024). "I never dreamt of becoming vice chancellor –Esimone, UNIZIK VC". Nnamdi Azikiwe University News. Retrieved 24 June 2024.