The Authority Icon: JOSEPH EBERENDU AHANEKU

For deploying compelling scientific and administrative genius to positively impact the Nigerian academia and for bringing exemplary discipline, commitment and focus in service to his region and country, Professor Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku is The AUTHORITY Icon.
He is a notable scientist and uncommon administrator who used his knowledge and skills to leverage so¬ciety. Meet Professor Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku, PhD, FSTA, (JP), Fseh, MIPAN, CIBiol (Lond), FAS - the Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
He was born on the October 1, 1962 to the family of late Chief and Lolo L. I. Ahaneku (KSM) of Nnarambia Ahiara, Mbaise, Imo State. Young Joe started his academic career at St. Joseph Primary School and Mbaise Secondary School all in Aboh, Mbaise Local Gov¬ernment Area, Imo State, where he made Division One (Grade 1) in his West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE).
He later proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained all his degrees: B.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry, M.Sc. as the best Masters student and a PhD at the age of 28 years. Armed with a PhD from University of Ibadan, he joined the defunct Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH) as a Lecturer 1 and foundation head of Department of Chemical Pathology in 1991.
In 1992, he was appointed Consultant, Chemical Pathologist to the Nnmadi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria. He rose through the ranks to become a professor of Chemical Pathology in 1997 at the age of 35years. He was at several times an invited Research fellow in Molecular and Cellular Biology in Japan and the United States. He has enjoyed numerous International fellowships and grants from JSPS, Science and Technology Agency, Japan, Research Development Corporation of Japan, Pfizer Research Foundation. At several times, he was appointed head of the Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. He was the Acting Sub-Dean, Pre-Clinical of the Faculty of Medicine, and the Sub-Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies of the University.
He has over eighty (80) scientific papers to his credit. A member of so many learned so¬cieties and professional bodies, Prof. Ahaneku is a member of the International Federation of Clinical Chemists, Fellow of the Japan Society for the promotion of Science, Fellow, Environmental Health Society of Nigeria.
He is a Chartered Biologist and Lipidologist and a Fellow of the prestigious Academy of Sciences. He has served as member of Board of Directors of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital for two terms and member Governing Council, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka for four years. On the commercial scene, he is the Chairman, Demlaz Group of Companies and the Executive Director, JG Ventures and Rental Services.
He was a two term Deputy Vice-Chancel¬lor (Academic) of Nnamdi Azikiwe Univer¬sity and the Director, Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University from 2010 to 2014.
A Fellow of the Academy of Sciences (FAS), he is the fifth (5th) substantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnadi Azikiwe University, Awka known as Unizik. At Unizik, his vision and administrative footprints are indelible.
He is happily married to the love of his life, Dr. (Mrs.) Gladys Ifesinachi Ahaneku, a Con¬sultant Physician/Cardiologist and Associate Professor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teach¬ing Hospital, Nnewi. The union is blessed with four lovely sons and daughter.