Oleka K. Udeala

Oleka Kelechi Udeala is a Nigerian professor of pharmacy and university administrator. He was the ninth Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka[1] and the first head of the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Port Harcourt.

Early life and education

Udeala was the youngest of five children and grew up in a large extended family. His education was paid for by his elder brother because he failed to win the lottery for a community scholarship. He completed his secondary education with a Cambridge Higher School Certificate in 1960 and started work as a science teacher at his school, then attended the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy at Long Island University in New York on an African Scholarship Programme by American Universities scholarship, returning to Nigeria after graduation in 1966.[2]

Career

Udeala served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1992 to 1995,[3] the first alumnus of the university to serve in the position.[4] Known as the "unwilling Vice Chancellor",[2] he was removed under the military junta headed by Sani Abacha, when Umaru Gomwalk was appointed chief administrator of the university.[5] He had been appointed until 1999; in 2001 he requested compensation and a declaration that he had been de jure Vice Chancellor for the remainder of his term.[6]

In 2004 he founded the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Port Harcourt, where he worked until retiring in 2016.[3]

Honours

Among Udeala's honours was the National Science and Technology Prize in 1990.[3]

References
  1. "Prof. Udeala". Pharmanewsonline. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  2. Folorunsho-Francis, Adebayo (2016-06-01). "My battles as UNN's unwilling vice chancellor - Prof. Udeala". Pharmanews online. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  3. "Prof. Udeala Retires from Active Service". PharmaTimes. 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  4. Edike, Tony (2014-06-07). "Ozumba named new UNN VC as Okolo bows out". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 2017-12-21.
  5. Digitcontrol (2017-03-05). "Ginigeme Mbanefoh and the 'demons' at UNN". Businessday. Retrieved 2017-12-21.
  6. Ogbu, Ahamefula; Uneze, Amby (2001-04-26). "Nigeria: Sacked UNN VC Wants Oputa to Declare Him VC for Period of His Tenure". This Day. Retrieved 2017-12-21 – via AllAfrica.com.
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