HEROES OF EBIRALAND (1) PROFESSOR ALBERT OZIGI: FIRST PROFESSOR FROM EBIRALAND Personality Profile Professor ALBERT OJO OZIGI, Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, was born at Okene in Kogi State in November, 1934, to the distinguished Ozigi family. He received very sound primary, post-primary and University education, after which he entered into the noble teaching profession as Education Officer at Government Secondary School, Abuja (now Suleja) in 1961. He taught History at both Dekina Secondary School and Government College, Bida, with great distinction, between 1964 and 1968. Beyond his excellent teaching career, Professor Ozigi was an effective educational administrator, and served very well as: • Principal, Government Secondary School, Dekina • Principal, Government College, Bida • Head of Secondary Education, Institute of Education, ABU, Zaria • Chairman, Institute of Education Publications Committee • Chairman, Works Committee of the Institute of Education Board of Governors • Acting Director, Institute of Education • Head of Department of Education, National Open University(NOUN) • Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor National Open University Abuja • Director, Centre for Distance Learning and Continuity Education University of Abuja While at the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria he contributed immensely to teaching and research. His research activities produced several Books, monographs, Journal Articles and research papers for seminars and conferences. He was a celebrated Editor of reputable Journals and other Publications in the fields of Guidance and Counselling; School Management; Primary Syllabus for Nigerian Schools; Secondary Syllabus for Nigerian Schools; and Text Books for Nigerian Secondary Schools. He served as Co-Editor to the now famous Mcmillan’s Foundation of Education series, with particular emphasis on: • Sociology of Education for Nigeria• Educational Psychology for Nigeria• Educational Planning and Administration• Educational Philosophy Professor Ozigi also cooperated with the Overseas Committee of the American Council on Education, in partnership with Michigan State University, USA, to produce high quality books for Secondary School Teachers in Nigeria. Between 1971 and 2004, he was a most influential member of 18 Education Boards and Organizations. In addition to his meritorious contributions to the development of education in Nigeria, Prof. Ozigi also served as Commissioner for Economic Development, and later Commissioner for Works in the Kwara State Cabinet of Governor Atta, between 1979 and 1983. During those years, he represented Kwara State as a member of the National Economic Council(NEC). For his meritorious service to the Nation, Professor Ozigi received the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON. He was also a proud recipient of seven (7) MERIT Awards from notable organizations. Professor Ozigi’s greatest source of power and wisdom for living was his abiding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Both at A.B.U. Zaria and the University of Abuja, he identified very clearly with the Christian community. He worshipped regularly at the University Chapel, and when he moved into Abuja he joined the congregations of All Saints Church, Wuse and later St. Matthew’s Church (Anglican Communion) Maitama. As a faithful Patron of the Men’s Fellowship, he gave exemplary leadership with profound love and wise counsel to all members. He will be greatly missed. The deepest part of his Christian testimony was his highly devoted family life as a loving husband and very caring Father. He loved his family greatly, and brought up his children in the way of the Lord. He placed great emphasis on faith, truth, integrity and personal discipline. Here then rests in glory a profound educationist, a sound teacher; an innovative adviser; a benevolent College Principal; a prodigious writer; an intellectual colossus; a devoted family man; a great servant of Jesus Christ. Therefore, like St. Paul, he could say: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up forme the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing,” (2 Tim 4:7-8). Source: Gonetoosoon.org N.B. HEROES OF EBIRALAND, a concept of EBIRA RESOURCE CENTRE,ERC is a tribute series meant to give honour to whom it is due. It is also aimed to inspire the present and future generations of Ebira people that with the right upbringing, with implicit belief in God and in one’s innate talents, added to hard work, discipline, focus and both the determination and the unflinching desire to excel, we can be whatever and whoever we want to be. As President Barack Obama would say: “YES,WE CAN!”. SUGGESTION: EBIRA PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION (EPA) should consider an Annual Lecture Series on Education in memory of this illustrious son of our land to motivate our youths.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:46:05 +0000
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