OPINION: CELEBRATING THE WORLD'S RENOWNED AND MOST CELEBRATED TWINS (PROF & JUSTICE GEORGEWILL) @ 55. By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze.
PREAMBLE
Today,
the 15th of May, 2020 marks a great and epochal day in the history of Rivers
State; the oil hub and rich State of Nigeria as she celebrates the 55th
birthdays of one of the best gifts God in his mercy and love bestowed on the
State, through the birth of one of the most renowned and outstanding twins ever
on earth, Professor Owunari and Honourable Justice Biobele.
In
the field of public service, Professor Owunari Georgewill and Justice Biobele
Georgewill are the most renowned twins that have distinguished themselves as
Professor of Pharmacology (Pharmacy) and in Civil Law discipline.
While
Professor Owunari graduated from University of Port Harcourt, his twin brother,
Justice Biobele studied at University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Tricia
Marrapodi in his quote with the Georgewills in mind stated, "Being a twin
is like being born with a best friend". These two great gifts to Nigeria
have maintained their relationship as both brothers and best friends but most
importantly excelling in their various areas of specialization.
While
Chief Hon. Sir Justice Biobele is the Justice of the Court of Appeal, Federal
Judiciary, Abuja, Professor Owunari is the Professor of Pharmacology and
Toxicology. These remarkable twins are global brands who have performed
meritoriously in all tasks they have engaged into.
PROF OWUNARI A.
GEORGEWILL, KSC, FRSB
I
must state that I am one of the few privileged Nigerians that can boast of
having a wonderful relationship with these two outstanding Nigerians but, the
fact remains that out of these two, I am a bit closer to the erudite Professor.
So this birthday treatise will be more on him than his twin brother who has
distinguished himself in the Legal Profession.
Prof
Owunari Abraham Georgewill, KSC, FRSB, London, Professor of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, an erudite scholar, a respected administrator, author of repute
with several publications to his credit.
Described
as an outstanding scholar whose main vision and mission is to turn the
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State, to one of the most viable
and leading institutions in Africa, I pray that his vision will surely come to
pass in matter of few weeks.
In
this regard, Dr Clement Edet, a renowned scholar introduced Georgewill in a
text message he sent to me, as follows: “Prof Georgewill simply makes things
work with his direct, innovative and teamwork approach. He is self-driven,
impactful, thinks on his feet and has a knack for results. His hallmarks are
communication skill, dedication, scholarship, and excellence”.
Throwing
more light on the person and personality of Georgewill, Comrade Kenson
Ibialabo-Briggs, the author of ‘A Journey Into The Creeks’ described Georgewill
thus: “He is a man humble and kindhearted. An encounter with him will let you
know his nature and true character. Very intelligent, yet does not pride in his
achievements. He befriends all, his relationship cuts across status, levels and
lines. He relates freely with the poor as much as he does with the rich. To
him, life is just a passing phase and every opportunity given to you, should be
used to make living better for others and the society. With Prof. at the helm
of affairs in UNIPORT, there will be massive turn-around in the varsity’s
educational system. He is a man with great vision and passion for the educational
advancement of the society”.
To
explain this ingenious and innovative personality better, my friend whom I
graduated with from the University of Calabar, in the late ’80s; a radical
philosopher of repute and no-nonsense scholar who threads where the lions are
afraid to operate, Prof. Andrew Efemini described Georgewill Owunari in the
following terms: “He is a respecter of elders, colleagues, staff and students.
He is conscious of the fact that the rights of staff and students must not be
abused. We can therefore, expect a conscious effort by him to negotiate and
reach consensus with stakeholders on the way forward”.
“Prof
Georgewill has engaged in self-development within and outside Nigeria,
necessary for running a first-class university like UNIPORT. I am convinced
that UNIPORT under his watch will surely benefit from his well-articulated
vision of a great university. Perhaps, the greatest quality he will bring to
the table is his respect for constituted authorities in the country”.
“We
can expect special funding and projects to flow into UNIPORT from his goodwill
and understanding and support to the administration of President Buhari of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria. With Professor Georgewill Owunari as
vice-chancellor, we should expect full expression of students without
brutalization and victimization. I expect him to have good working relationship
with the unions on campus”.
Prof Georgewill’s Academic
Feats
Prof
Owunari A Georgewill, who hails from Abonnema, Rivers State, graduated with an Upper
Division Second-Class Honours, from the University of Port Harcourt Medical
School in 1990, and proceeded to do his House-manship at the UPTH after which
he did his NYSC in Edo State.
He
began residency training in 1993 and was employed as Lecturer 2 in Pharmacology
in 1994. He also obtained a master’s degree in pharmacology and became a
professor of pharmacology on May 4, 2010. He also holds a Bachelor of Medicine,
Bachelor of Surgery, Master of Science in Pharmacology and a Doctorate of
Medicine in Pharmacology and Toxicology among other qualifications. He is a
professor of pharmacology, a researcher and administrator.
Services to UNIPORT
In
2010, he was appointed Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Niger Delta University,
NDU.
In
2012, he was elected Deputy Provost of UNIPORT Medical School.
In
2013, he was voted into the Governing Council of UNIPORT as Congregation
Representative.
He
has published a book, ‘Reasoning in Drug Biology’, over 50 original articles in
many journals, over 15 abstracts and several research works which took him to
many places, including Harvard.
In
addition, by virtue of Prof. Georgewill’s membership for four years (2013-2017)
of the Governing Council of UNIPORT, he played significant roles in the affairs
of the university and in addition, served as a member of Council. He was Dean,
Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of Niger Delta University (2010-2011), Deputy
Provost of the College of Health Sciences of UNIPORT (2012-2015) as well as
Associate Dean, Students Affairs (2000-2006). and acting Head of Department of
Pharmacology (2006-2008). In all these positions stated above, his exceptional
performance and the results are well documented.
Earlier,
he had been trusted to serve in the Finance and General Purpose Committee of
council, Campus Security Committee of council, Appeals Committee of council,
Board of Cordec/University Bottling Company, chairman/member, Senate ad-hoc
committees; chairman, board of UDPS; chairman, Post-graduate verification
committee; member, Board of the Graduate School.
Other
positions he served in, includes; Chairman, Departmental Graduate Board; chairman/member
of faculty boards, member of the University Senate since 2010, member, Board of
the College of Health Sciences, UNIPORT and NDU; chairman/member, Nigeria
University Commission accreditation terms to universities.
He
was also, Resource Person to Nigerian Senate on Education summit; consultant to
Senate Committee on Education; member of panel on Commonwealth scholarship plan
of Federal Ministry of education. etc.
Membership Of
International Bodies
He
is a Fellow, Royal Society of Biology, London; Member of International Association
of Medical Educators, USA. He is also, a Member, Society of Pediatric
Oncologists, Italy, American Society of Neurochemistry, West African Society of
Pharmacology.
Others
are; member, Nigerian Medical Association, Specialist Medical Doctors in
Academia, Indian Society of Pharmacology, World Academy of Science,
Research-in-Medicine Society, National Cancer Investigation in UK, World Health
Workers Without Borders, West African Society of Toxicology and Fellow,
Institute of Industrial Administrators.
He
is also a friend to New York Academy of Medicine and a Justice of Peace.
In
2015, he served as a Commissioner, Rivers State Commission of Enquiry.
Currently, he is a member of Editorial Board of Asian Pacific Journal.
Multiple awards
1. Justice of Peace,
2002, by Dr Peter Odili, then governor of Rivers State.
2. Knighthood of St
Christopher, Niger Delta Diocese of the Anglican Communion, 2008.
3. Kalabari
Chieftaincy in the Abonnema Council of Chiefs, 2009.
4. Rotaract Club of
Port Harcourt Township: Award of excellent service, 2015.
5. Rotaract Club of
COE, St John's: Award of excellence in professional service, 2006.
6. St Clement’s
Anglican Youth Fellowship, Degema: Patrons Shield for service to God and
humanity, 2005.
7. Niger Delta
Diocese, Anglican Communion: Service Award in recognition of service and show
of love to the Diocese and the Bishop, an epistle written in the hearts of men
2010.
8. St Augustine’s
Anglican Church, Abonnema: Distinguish Service Award for service to God and
humanity 2013.
9. Association of
Biochemistry/Chemistry Tech: Award of Patron for vast experience and
benevolence service as a sign of confidence as a good leader 2019.
10. National
Association of Biomedical Students: Award of Excellence for generosity,
philanthropy, fatherly service and benevolence to students at large 2019.
11. Port Harcourt
University Medical Students: Honours Roll 2019
12. Grand Nigerian
Youth in Ghana: Honour as Patron 2019.
13. Nyemoni Grammar
School Abonnema Old Boys 81 class: Commendation for professional achievements
and doyen of prestigious class, 2019
14. Kalabari Kengema
Ikia Ogbo of Abonnema: Award of Excellence as worthy medical icon of good
service for contributions to the development of Abonnema community over the
years 2012.
15. Port Harcourt
Rotary Club: Conferment of Honorary membership for service to God and humanity,
2014.
16. International
Institute of Professional Security: Best security supporting personality,
South-south, 2014
17. The York City
Choir Abonnema: Living Legend of Music Award for assistance and encouragement
to choristers and the church of Christ, 2011.
18. Man ‘O’ War,
University of Port Harcourt Command: Award of Excellence for remarkable
contribution to humanity and the command, 2005.
19. Port Harcourt
university medical association and Port Harcourt university medical graduates
association: Distinguished alumnus award for inspiring and contributing to the
sustenance of PUMSA and its alumni association, PUMGRADA, 2017.
20. Nigeria Red
Cross: Special award as life member in recognition for contributions to the
society and humanity, 2013.
21. National Union
of Izon Ibe, Ijaw worldwide: Award of Excellence for contributions to the
enhancement of education in Ijaw Nation, 2018.
22. National Union
of Rivers State Students: Award of most student-friendly-lecturer, for unending
quest to improve the lives of Nigerian youth through various educational
support and empowerment 2019.
23. Youth Leadership
Network of Nigeria: Certificate of recognition for Meritorious service,
sterling leadership qualities and positive contributions to development, 2018.
24. St Mark’s
Anglican Church, Alakahia: Macedonian Award, 2019.
25. League of
African Development: Merit award of excellence for 2019 distinguished African
Patriots service as African Patriotic Personality of the Year 2019, in
recognition for outstanding patriotism, immense contribution to African quest
for development, service to God, humanity and Africa 2019.
26. Snooker Section Senior
Staff Club, University of Port Harcourt: Snooker merit award, 2018
27. Association of
Nigeria Authors: Conferment of honorary membership of the association, 2018
28. Partum Awards
recognising creative individuals and organisations creme de la creme awards:
Award of excellence for sterling performance and contributions towards the
development of UNIPORT, 2019.
29. Ghana-Nigeria
Awards 2019: Impactful personality in health award for great achievements,
effective leadership, passion for humanity and consistent efforts in being a
positive role model to young people across the world 2019.
THE REACTION OF PROF
OWUNARI A.GEORGEWILL AND HIS TWIN BROTHER, SIR CHIEF HON. JUSTICD BIOBELE A.
GEORGEWILL
"NO ONE LIKE
GOD".
We
are 55years today and we can't stop thanking God for His amazing grace mercies
and favours on our lives. God gave us good families and He gave us good friends
and associates.
In
His time He makes everything beautiful
GIVING IS OUR
PASSION
We
grew up in our village Abonnema after we relocated from Lagos due to the death
of our father who was the breadwinner of the family when we were less than one
year old. Life was difficult as growing up kids with no support save for the
determined belief of mum and grandma that their little twin sons must be
educated no matter what it takes even if means selling their priced
possessions.
We
were introduced early to the knowledge of God and Christianity by our mum and
grandma. We went through various stages of education solely depending upon God
as we worked hard to make good grades despite the huge challenges that faced
us. People gave to us. God granted us favour too.
The
circumstances of our upbringing made us to realize early in life that many
people like us out there need others to give to make them achieve their dreams.
This is the origin of the spirit of giving in our lives, that grew from little
giving to substantial giving to people churches organizations etcetera.
We
give in obedience to God's word that instructs us to give and be given back in
good measures shaken together and running over. We give out of compassion for
the needy. We give out of our desire to make people happy.
We
give out of our desire to make people smile. We give out of our desire to make
people achieve their dreams. We give out of our desire to see organizations
such as churches, schools, hospitals and communities meet their needs to
provide services and transform people.
We
give because we are not interested in primitive accumulation of wealth.
We give and God gives more than we give. We give and God blesses us
tremendously. The prayers of the receivers availeth much. We give because it is
more blessed to give than to receive. We give when we have little. We give when
we have much. Testimonies abound in people and organizations such as schools,
hospitals and communities who had and are receiving from us. The joys we get
out of giving cannot be quantified.
Sir Chief Hon
Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill JCA and Sir Chief Professor Owunari Abraham
Georgewill
Conclusion:
Let
me formally conclude this treatise by stating that my good friend, Chief Sir
Professor Owunari Georgewill has served at the highest decision making organ of
the University of Port Harcourt governing council, while his twin brother,
Chief Sir Hon Justice Biobele served as a panelist in Commission of Inquiry,
Freetown. They have occupied distinctive positions in the University of Port
Harcourt and in the Judiciary (local and international) respectively.
As
I join friends, brothers and associates to celebrate this World's most
celebrated Twins, I pray God to grant them more fruitful years for better
services to humanity.
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze
is a Port Harcourt based Media Consultant & can be reached on:
ezemediaconcept2020@gmail.com or 08022049770.
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