Prof. Barthlomew Nwoye Ekwueme

MBBS (Sydney), FRACS (Paediatric Surgery)

Prof. Bartholomew Nwoye Ekwueme (popularly called Prof. Barth) was born on 5th November 1954. He is a native of Okpu Orba in Udenu LGA of Enugu State. In its January-March 2017 issue, The Rock Post Magazine chose and published Prof. Bartholomew Nwoye Ekwueme as its Role Model. An extract of what the magazine wrote about him is as follows: “An astute, versatile field geologist and scholar per excellence, humble, soft spoken and a consummate professional”. The magazine went further describing Prof. Ekwueme as vastly experienced and a key stakeholder in the field of Geology. He is particularly gifted in the areas of fieldwork and writing. He is remarkable in imparting knowledge, organization and leadership. Punctuality is one of his cherished virtues. Prof. Barth Ekwueme was the best graduating student in his first school leaving certificate (Distinction 1966) cleared his eight papers (in class four) in the University of London GCE O’L (1973), collected the prizes for the best graduating student in the Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (B.Sc Hons 1978). He was the best NYSC member in 1978/79 for Niger State and was awarded a National Honour for his outstanding performance in the National Service by President Shehu Shagari in 1979. He was awarded M.Phill degree by UNN in 1981 and a Ph.D in 1985. He did his postdoctoral training in University of Heidelberg and University of Mainz both in Germany from 1991 to 1992 and was awarded certificate for Advanced Professional Training in Geology/Environmental Geochemistry. Prof. Barth N. Ekwueme joined the services of University of Calabar in 1982 as an Assistant Lecturer and rose steadily through the ranks and was promoted to Professor of Mineralogy and Petrology in October, 1994. Since joining the University, he has been teaching both at undergraduate and graduate levels. He has supervised postgraduate diploma, M.Sc. and Ph. D students and continues supervision of students till date. In his graduate student supervision, Prof. Ekwueme has produced five postgraduate Diploma holders, five M.Sc. and five Ph.D holders. He is currently supervising three Ph. D students, two M.Sc. students and one postgraduate diploma student. Some of his Ph. D. products are now Professors and Associate Professors and contributing in the growth of knowledge of Petrology, Mineralogy, exploration geochemistry, geochronology, environmental geology, structural geology and field geology which are areas of specialization of Prof. Barth N. Ekwueme. He has served University of Calabar in the following capacities: Head of Department of Geology (1993-1995), Chairman Faculty of Science Graduate Committee (1998-1991, 1992-1995), Examination Officer Conduct (1997-1999), Chairman Fieldwork Committee (1990/1991, 1992-1995), Chairman Welfare Committee (2000-2019), Executive Director, Unicalcons Services Company Ltd (2010-2012), Member Senate Students Disciplinary Committee (2005 to 2019). Prof. Ekwueme has authored/co-authored over 70 articles in peer-reviewed journals, he has written 25 books and has 10 contributions to books. He has attended and presented papers at 63 learned conferences, fifty percent of these were foreign conferences. Grants for the foreign conferences were made by UNESCO, IGCP, IUGS and other foreign organizations. Prof. Barth Ekwueme is a recipient of many Scholarships including East Central State Government Scholarship (1974-1978), Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship (1979), German Academic Exchange (DAAD) Scholarship (1980-1981), German Government Scholarship for Advanced Training in the area of Analytical Techniques (1991) and International Scholarship of Council of Science Editors (2006). Prof. Barth Ekwueme has in his academic career garnered many Prizes and Honours. These include: Silas Nwachukwu Memorial Shell Bp Prize 1977/78 for the best graduating student in the Dept. of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Departmental Prize 1977/78, ELF/NMGS Prize (second position) for the best papers presented at the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society Conference in Port Harcourt, Nigeria 1986, ELF/NMGS Prize (Third position) NMGS Conference in Calabar 1995, Hutchison Young Scientist Award (U.S.A. 1989) for promising young scientist by International Union of Geological Sciences(IUGS), Total/NMGS Prize (2nd position) and NMGS/AMNI Petroleum/Prof. Oyawoye Award 2009 at Owerri NMGS Conference 2009. Prof. Barth Ekwueme is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London (FGS) and a Fellow of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS). He is the Founder and Editor-in-chief of Global Journal Series. He was a council member of NMGS (1994-1998) and registered member since 1982. He is a registered member of COMEG. He was a working group member of many International Geological Correlation Programmes (IGCP) eg. IGCP 217, IGCP 233, IGCP 255, IGCP 257, IGCP 280, IGCP 470, IGCP 509. He leads NMGS Specialist Group on Petrology and Geochronology and is the co-ordinator of the proposed NMGS-NSEG (Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists). Prof. Ekwueme has initiated research projects on the area of petrology, geochronology and mineral exploration. He has significantly contributed to the understanding of the geology of Oban and Obudu areas of South-eastern Nigeria. The Geological Survey Agency of Nigeria has published most of his findings as GSN bulletin no. 55 of 2019. Prof. Ekwueme has consulted and acted as Resource Person to establishments in the area of Mineral exploration. He served as Resource person Federal Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mines and Steel on Oban Massif (1994-1995), Member, Scientific Committee on Appraisal and Monetization of Solid Minerals in Nigeria (1996-1998), Member, Nigerian Economic Group on Solid Minerals (2003-2010), Member, Stakeholders workshop Group, Geological Survey of Nigeria (2005), Consultant Mineral Exploration (Nb-Ta-Sn) of Oban massif and Obudu area, Cross River State (1986-2000). He was a member of Technical Advisory Group of TETFUND on Book Development (2009-2017), Member of NUC accreditation team to some Universities. Prof. Barth Ekwueme has acted as External Examiner at Graduate and undergraduate levels for UNN, FUT Yola, UNIPORT, KSU, NAU, ABU, FUTO and OAU Ile-Ife. He has been Professor on Sabbatical leave to UNIPORT, NGSA, KSU, ABUAD. Prof. Barth Ekwueme has assessed scholars for promotion to the ranks of Associate Professors and Professors. He organized the first International conference on Oban-Obudu massif Southeastern Nigeria in 2005. He is continuing his research in the area of Petrology, Geochemistry and Mineral Exploration of North-central and Southeastern Nigerian Basement Complex. Prof. Barth N. Ekwueme is married to Prof. Cecilia Olunwa Ekwueme and the marriage is blessed with Children and grandchildren. .