Celestine Onwuliri

Celestine Onyemobi Elihe Onwuliri (17 February 1952 – 3 June 2012) was a Nigerian academician in the field of Parasitology. He served as the 5th Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri. He was also the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos.

Onwuliri served in other capacities like a university professor and Honorable Commissioner.

Following his passing, the Graduate Theological Foundation established the Celestine O. E. Onwuliri Fellowship in Scientific Research and Human Values in his honor. The fellowship, based in the United States, reflects his impact on scientific research and the importance he placed on human values.

Education and early life Celestine Onyemobi Elihe Onwuliri was born in Umuokazi, Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo state, Nigeria.

He completed his primary education at St. Jude's Catholic Primary School, Amuzi, and continued to Community Secondary School, Amuzi. Onwuliri graduated with a division 1 in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). He pursued higher education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). In 1975, he graduated with a Second Class Upper Honours degree in Zoology.

Onwuliri's academic pursuits led him to further studies, including a Ph.D. in Parasitology (1980) after a year of research training at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

Personal life and death Celestine Onwuliri was married to Prof. (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri, and they had five children.

He died in the crash of Dana Air Flight 0992 on 3 June 2012.

Career and accomplishments Onwuliri moved to University of Jos after his PhD and subsequently garnered over 32 years of teaching, research, administrative and community service experience across six universities

He also served as Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, where his contributions aimed at enhancing agricultural development and resource management within the state. all before he concluded his tenure, with six of those buildings being commissioned in one day He provided leadership and had earlier served as the Knights of St John International Worthy President in Jos and later First Vice President, Supreme Subordinate Commandery Nigeria (2003–2009)

After his death As a mark of honour, his colleagues at the Imo State University, Owerri on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 wore their full academic regalia, held a valedictory session to bid him farewell and the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Bethram Nwoke (who was Prof. Onwuliri's Phd student

On the same day, the Imo State government organised an interdenominational service for Onwuliri and some others from the state who died in the plane crash. Markets in the Owerri metropolis remained closed during the period, while all the state senior civil servants wore black and converged at the Ahiajoku Convention Centre, Owerri, where the state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, led the state executive council members for candle light procession, while the speaker, Hon. Benjamin Uwajiogu and others followed in order of sequence with the first Bible reading drawn from the book of Thessalonians 3:18 and was read by the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso.

Posthumous honours Prof. Onwuliri received several posthumous honours including:

the Graduate Theological Foundation (GTF), USA, Celestine O. E. Onwuliri Fellowship in Scientific Research and Human Values. the proposed foundation laying ceremony of Prof. Onwuliri Library and computer centre Amuzi; at the Gregory University Uturu, Abia State; the inauguration of the “Prof. Celestine O.E. Onwuliri Young Scientist Award" by the Nigerian Parasitology Society, to honour him and achieve his desire of encouraging young scientists; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; the institution of the Prof. C.O.E. Onwuliri Memorial Scholarship Award. by the International Liaison of Mbaise Indigenes ILMI the inauguration of the annual Prof. Celestine O. E. Onwuliri Memorial Lecture. In 2015, the third Prof. Celestine Onwuliri Memorial lecture held at the Full Moon, Owerri organized by the Professor C.O.E. Onwuliri foundation and the guest speaker, Professor Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission spoke on the Challenges of Nigerian Universities in the 21st Century. The 4th Prof. Onwuliri Memorial Lecture in 2016 was hosted by the Governor of Enugu State, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi with Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and Brig. Gen. Dr. George Ikioumoton as speaker and the lecture was titled “Professor Celestine Onwuliri’s 4-point Agenda for Knights, a Blueprint for Peace and Progress in Nigeria". and the lecture titled: “The problem with Nigeria” The Onwuliri Memorial Lecture has continued to attract reputable Nigerians, Ministers, Governors, Senators, and many others and has been used to encourage them to support the causes of the PROFOUND foundation to help the poor and indigent