Prof. Godwin Oju Igile

MBBS (Sydney), FRACS (Paediatric Surgery)

Prof. Godwin Oju Igile was born on the 8th of December 1963 in Assiga Old town to the family of Mr and Mrs Samuel Oju Igile. He attended St Peter’s Primary School, Assiga, Yakurr LGA, and passed the First School Living Certificate Examination in 1973 with a Distinction. He then attended St Brendan’s Sec. Sch. Iyamoyong in Obubra and the School of Arts and Science Uyo, where he also performed very well in both schools. He proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he studied Biochemistry and obtained a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry in 1985. He also obtained an MSc. (Biochemistry) from the premier University of Ibadan in 1991. In 1992, Godwin Igile was awarded a post graduate Fellowship to carry out his PhD research work in IUNG, Pulawy, Poland. He successfully carried out the isolation, purification and characterization of Vernonioside D and E stigmastane-type saponins; and luteolin and its glycosides from Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf). He is the first Nigerian Scientist to isolate bioactive principles from Vernonia amygdalina. He carried out several Biochemical studies of this plant and some of its active principles in animal models, and graduated with a PhD in Biochemistry in 1996. He also attended the Federal University of Technology, Owerri between 2000 and 2001, where he obtained a PGD (Project Management), and an MBA (Marketing) respectively. Prof. Godwin Oju Igile has research interest in Phytochemistry & Phytomedicine, and Industrial & Environmental Biochemistry. He has researched extensively in these areas of Biochemistry and has published over eighty (80) academic publications. He has participated and presented several conference papers in local and International Scientific Conferences, among which include, • Toxicity of Vernonia amygdalina leaves, extracts and purified saponins in mice. Proc. Eurp. Food Tox. “Bioactive Substances in Food of Pant Origin. Vol. 2, “22-24 September, 1994, pp. 394-399. Edited H. Kozlowska, J Fornal and Z. Zdunczyk; • “Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Gongronema latifolium On Some Serum Lipid Components and Blood Glucose Levels in Streptozocin-induced Diabetic Rat Models” WANNPRESS 2012 Conference on the study of Natural Products for Human disease treatment, July 12-15th 2012, Oshogbo, Osun State (Funded by Committee of Deans, University of Calabar); • “Effect of Washing Red Palm Oil and Low-Grade Tallow fat with hot water on Oil Bleachability and Bleached Oil stability. 10th Euro Fed Lipid Congress, Krawkow, Poland, 19 – 23rd September, 2012 (TETFUND, University of Calabar); • “Quality assessment and determination of total fatty matter content in Nigerian Palm Oil samples”. 11th Euro fed Lipid Congress, Antalya, Turkey, 27-30th October, 2013 (TETFUND, University of Calabar). He has supervised and graduated seven (7) PhD students, Nine (9) MSc. and over fifteen (15) BSc. graduates in Biochemistry. He is a recipient of the FREDEROSA LIMITED Research Grant No. FL/BC/29/17 for Environmental quality and sustainability studies in the WRPC Oily Waste polluted community of Ubeji, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. He joined the University of Calabar in April 2011 as a Senior Lecturer. Since then he has served the University in many capacities. He was the Departmental Chairman of Graduate Committee; Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences Representative at the University Senate; Head Department of Biochemistry, Member of the Departmental Committee on Examinations Malpractice among others. Prof. Godwin Igile has worked as a Senior Manager in PZ Cussons Nigeria in various capacities between 1995 and 2007. He served as Head of Quality Control, Process Manager, R&D Manager and member of the Technical team to several products formulations of the Company. During this period, Prof. Godwin Igile attended several training courses and conferences locally and internationally. He received PZCussons Zenith Award for best detergent formulations. Prof. Godwin Igile has served as Consultant to the Federal Ministry of Environment (2009-2010). He was the lead Consultant to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) in Nigeria; and developed and published the National Policy on Sound Chemicals Management in Nigeria. He was a member of the National Expert Committee on Mercury (2009-2011). He was appointed by the Cross River State Government as the Managing Director of Cross River State Water Board between December 2015 and November 2018. On the 1st of December 2019, Prof. Godwin Igile was appointed the Chairman of the Board of Cross River State Water Board Ltd. He is the Chairman of Cross River State Water Board Ltd till date. Prof. Godwin Igile is a professional member of several societies and organizations, among which are; Member Institute of Pub;lic Analysts of Nigeria (MIPAN); Member Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (MICCON); Member Chemical Society of Nigeria (MCSN); Member Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MNSBMB); Member Environmental Society of Nigeria (MESN); Member European Federation of Lipid Congress (MEFLC). Prof. Godwin Oju Igile has received several distinguished awards, including, Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria; Pan-Africa Exemplary Leadership Honour; ICON of Nation Building in Africa by African Students Union Parliament and The Sir Ahmadu Bello Platinum Leadership Award as Garkuwan Matasan Arewa Najeriya, among others. Prof. Godwin Igile is happily married to Glory Ogechi Igile, and their union is blessed with beautiful children. He is a Scholar and presently an Associate Professor of Biochemistry, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria. .