Abia 2023: Ukwa Born University Don, Prof. Akoma Emerges APP’s Mascot Kalu’s Running Mate

The governorship candidate of Action People’s Party, APP in Abia State, Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu has picked a renowned academic, Prof. Osondu Akoma, as his running mate ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Prof. Osondu Akoma is a dedicated, committed, well respected academic and technocrat from Ukwa bloc of Abia South senatorial district, a chieftain of APP told our correspondent.

“Prof. Osondu Akoma’s emergence as the running mate to our Governorship Candidate, Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu shows that this is already a confirmed winning combination for the 2023 Governorship election.

“We are now fully ready for the electoral battle in 2023. Mascot is a force in the governoship race, because he is from Abia North; a Catholic with his mother a Presbyterian and an Anglican deputy from a marginalised Ukwa bloc. This ticket is the most solid in Abia State and by the Grace of God, it will end in praise. Abia is going to be APP,” the chieftain stated.

PROFILE OF PROF. OSONDU AKOMA

Prof. Osondu C. Akoma is the last child of Late Ven. Israel and Manda Akoma of Obeaku-Ndoki in Ukwa East L.G.A. of Abia State. Born at the tail end of the Nigeria/Biafra war on the 16th of December 1969, he attended Hospital Road primary school Aba, Ascension Junior Seminary Umuebulungwu-Asa, all in Abia State, Nigeria. Thereafter he proceeded to University of Benin where he graduated with B.Sc. (Hons) Botany in 1990.

He joined the employ of Abiapalm Nig Ltd, Ukwa, Abia State as a Field Overseer in 1992 and rose to the rank of Assistant Collection Manager in 2001. Prof. Akoma obtained his Ph.D in Botany specializing in Limnology and Algology in 2004 at the University of Benin under the strict guidance and tutelage of his academic father and mentor Prof. Fred I. Opute.

His academic foray began at Benson Idahosa University as a Lecturer Grade II in 2005 and he rose to the rank of a full Professor in 2017. He served as a Technical Expert of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Federal Democratic Republic Ethiopia under the auspices of the Technical Aid Corps between 2006 and 2008. During this period he taught several plant biology courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels and acquired pedagogical training on student-centered active learning and use of ICT tools in the teaching and learning process. He has over thirty (30) research articles published in reputable peer reviewed local and international journals.

Prof. Akoma at various times occupied positions of Director Academic Planning (2012 – 2014), Head of Department, Biological Sciences (2016 – 2017), Dean, Faculty of Science (2017 – 2020) and currently Director ICT (2018 to date). He has a passion for service and a strong believer is efficiency, financial prudence and fear of God in all dealings.

He is married to Mrs. Ijeoma Osondu-Akoma and they are blessed with a son Miekikem Osondu-Akoma.