Ivara Esu

Ivara Ejemot Esu, BSc(Ife); MSc(Minnesota);PhD(ABU); OFR, (born 3 May 1951) is a Nigerian politician, academic administrator and professor who is the current Deputy Governor of Cross River State.[1] He hails from Agwagune in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. He holds the Nigerian National Honours Award in the rank of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) Conferred on him by President Obasanjo in 2005 and the Cross River State Honours Merit Award Conferred on him by Governor Donald Duke in 2004 for carrying out excellent management reforms at the University of Calabar. Professor Esu has held many positions of responsibility such as Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar (2000–2005); Honourable Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation (Jan–May 2007); Member, Technical Committee on Privatization and Commercialization (TCPC), Presidency, Lagos (1990–1992); Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development Cross River State (1992–1993); Chairman Federal Medical Centre Board, Owerri (2009–2011) and Chairman, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (2012–2015) and was an Elder Statesman Delegate at the 2014 National Conference of Nigeria. Professor Esu is a Soil Scientist (Pedologist) who has taught in various tertiary institutions, some of which include; the Kaduna Polytechnic; Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, University of Calabar, University of Uyo and the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.

Ivara Esu
Ivara Esu
Deputy Governor of Cross River State
Incumbent
Assumed office
29 May 2015
GovernorBenedict Ayade
Federal Minister of state for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation
In office
17 January 2007 – 28 May 2007
State Commissioner of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development
In office
1992–1993
Personal details
Born (1951-05-03) 3 May 1951
Political partyPeople's Democratic Party (PDP)
Spouse(s)Omotunde Abosede Ivara Esu
ChildrenEkpereonne, Ozak, Orimini, Onyi

Professor Esu is married to Her Excellency Omotunde Abosede Ivara Esu, a permanent secretary in the Cross River State Government and they are blessed with four children; Ekpereonne, Ozak, Orimini and Onyi.

Early life

Ivara Ejemot Esu was born into the family of Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Ada Ejemot Esu at Agwagune, in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State. His father was a businessman, whose encouragement motivated him to get to the peak of his educational career. Ivara Esu received his primary education at Presbyterian Primary School Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area in Cross River State between 1957–1963. He attended Presbyterian Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state from 1964–1967, Community Secondary Grammar School, Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area from 1968-1969 and Mary Knoll College, Okuku, Yala Local Government Area from January–September 1970 He studied for his undergraduate degree at the University of Ife, now referred to as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife between 1970–1974 where he obtained a second-class honours, (upper division) in Agriculture. Between 1971–1974, he won and studied with the German Academic Exchange Scholarship reserved for the Best performing students in faculties. He also attended the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus USA between 1976–1978 where he obtained an MSc in Soil Science. In 1982, he went ahead to obtain a PhD in Pedology from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Career

Esu started his career in 1975 as an Assistant Lecturer in Soil Science at the Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State and progressed steadily to the rank of a Professor of Pedology in 1994, at the age of 43. During these years, he taught at the Kaduna Polytechnic, National Institute of Water Resources, Kaduna, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Calabar, University of Ghana (visiting scholar) and the University of Uyo where he was an Adjunct Professor. He also served as Dean of Agriculture, Provost of Okuku Campus, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) and later became the Vice Chancellor, all at the University of Calabar. He taught Pedology, Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, to different groups of students and has supervised several BSc, MSc and PhD dissertations and theses in his over 30 years teaching and research career.

Appointments and Positions Held
  • Member Technical Committee on Privatization and Commercialization (TCPC) presidency, Lagos (1990–1992)
  • Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development and Member Cross River State Government Executive Council (1992–1993)
  • Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar (1995–1998)
  • Ag. Provost, Okuku Campus, University of Calabar, Okuku, Yala Local Government Area (1996–1998), concurrent with Dean of Agriculture.
  • Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Calabar (1998–1999)
  • Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Calabar (Jan. 2000 – August 2005)
  • Chairman, Cross River State Book Writing and Review Committee (2000-2004)
  • Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation) and Member of the Federal executive council; (Jan. – May 2007)
  • Chairman Management Board, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Feb. (2009–2011)
  • Member Elders’ consultative forum of the Cross River State Government, Feb. 2009 – May 2015.
  • Delegate as Elder Statesman at the National Conference of Nigeria (March–July 2014)

International Professional Appointments

Appointed, member of the international working group on the development of a global soil and terrain digital data base by the Secretary-General, International Soil Science Society (1986–1992)

Appointed, collaborating scientist of the Nigerian vertisol Network Research Group by the International Board for Soil Research and Management (IBSRAM) (1988–1992)

Served as a Nigerian collaborating scientist in the preparation of a world map on the status of human-induced soil degradation at a scale of 1:7.5 million by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya) (1989–1990)

Served as representative in Nigeria for the proposed West African Soils and Terrain Digital Data Base (WASOTER) project by the International Soil

Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), Wageningen, the Netherlands (1989–1992)

Reviewed a draft of the FAO-UNESCO revised legend of the map of the world, at a scale of 1:5 million for the land and water development division, FAO, Rome (1990).

Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar (2000–2005)

On 31 December 1999, his name was announced as the acting Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar by the federal government following the removal from office of his predecessor. He acted for eight months and on 1 September 2000, got appointed as the 7th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar amidst what he referred to as "a very bitter struggle".

Award of Honours and Recognition
  • Certificate of recognition and merit award by the National Association of Cross River State Students (NACRISS) in "Recognition of his immense contribution towards the upliftment and development of education in Cross River state"; 24 June 1994.
  • Pilgrim of the New Millennium Award by the government of Israel "by virtue of fulfilling the biblical calling has ascended to Jerusalem, the Holy City, capital of Israel and is henceforth authorized to bear the title of "Jerusalem Pilgrim" June 2002.
  • Letter of commendation from the Governing Council of the University of Calabar "in recognition of your excellent performances since your Appointment, and for the marvellous work you have been doing as Vice Chancellor of the University"; July 2003.
  • Elected Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Administrators of Nigeria and given a distinguished award for "Excellent performances in the Nigerian Public Service" by the Governing Council of the Institute on 23 August 2003.
  • Appreciation award by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission; "For his commitment, dedication to duty and exemplary leadership as VICE CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR and for sharing the vision of quality service to the Nigerian university system"; 31 December 2003.
  • Centenary Merit Award by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Duke Town Parish "In recognition of his meritorious services to the growth and development of the parish"; 25 April 2004.
  • 2004 Cross River State Honours/Merit Award "In recognition of your immense contributions to the growth and development of our dear state" by His Excellency, Mr. Donald Duke "with the support of the state executive council"; 1 October 2004.
  • Appreciation Award by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission: "For his contribution to the university system as VICE CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR and for ensuring that academic excellence prevailed in his university during the course of the year as well as ensuring the maintenance of an environment that is predisposing to exemplary teaching, research and community service"; 31 December 2004.
  • Award of Excellence by Student Union Government, University of Calabar "For Your Outstanding Contributions to students’ welfare and general administration as Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar"; 16 July 2005.
  • 2005 Award of National Honours: Approval of the conferment of the Nigerian National Honours in the rank of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the President, Chief-in-Charge of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; 28 November 2005.
  • Ordination as a "Ruling Elder" of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria at Duke Town Parish, Calabar by the session on 18 December 2005.
  • Fellowship of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (FSSN) by the Soil Science Society of Nigeria at the Annual Conference of The Society held at Ado-Ekiti on 9–13 March 2009.

List of Selected Publications

Theses and Books

ESU, I. E. 1974. A semi-quantitative study of the mineralogy of some selected soils of Nigeria. BSc Final Year Project, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. 38 pp.

ESU, I. E. 1978. Productivity of tree species as related to soil mapping units in northern Minnesota. MSc Thesis, University of Minnesota, St. Paul U.S.A 138 pp.

ESU, I. E. 1982. Evaluation of soils for irrigation in the Kaduna area of Nigeria. PhD Thesis, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. 305 pp.

ESU, I. E. 1999. Fundamentals of Pedology. Stirling-Horden Publishers (Nig.) Ltd., Ibadan 136 pp (Launched in Calabar on 2 Sept. 1999).

ESU, I. E. 2005. Characterization, Classification and Management Problems of the Major Soil Orders in Nigeria. 26th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Calabar delivered on 26 April 2005. 66 pp.

ESU, I. E. 2010. Soil Characterization Classification and Survey. Heinneman Book Publishers Nigeria. 252 pp.

Journal Papers Published

ESU, I. E. and D.F GRIGAL, 1979. "Productivity of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) as related to soil mapping units in northern Minnesota". Soil Science Society of America Journal, 43: 1189-1192

ESU, I. E.1983. "Characteristics and classification of the dark clay soils of Biu Plains, Nigeria". Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 4:80-91.

ESU, I. E. and A.G. OJANUGA, 1985. "Morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of Alfisols in the Kaduna area of Nigeria". Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research 3(1&2):39-49

ESU, I. E. 1986. "Morphology and classification of soils of the Nupe sandstone formation in Niger state, Nigeria". Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research, 4(1&2):13-23

ESU, I. E. 1989. "A pedological characterization of soils of the Hadejia alluvial complex in the semi-arid region of Nigeria". Pedologie, XXXIX-2, 171-190.

ESU, I. E. and Asiribo, O.E. 1990. "Micronutrient fertility of some Northern Nigeria Vertisols and associated management implications" in P.M Ann and C.R Elliot (ed) Vertisol management in Africa. IBCRAM Proc. No. 9:347-359

MOBERG, J.P., I.E. ESU, and W.B MALGWI. 1991. "Characteristics and constituents’ composition of harmattan dust falling in northern Nigeria". Geoderma, 48:73-81.

MOBERG, J.P. and I.E ESU 1991. "Characteristics and composition of Nigerian Savanna Soils" Geoderma, 48:113-129

MUNKHOLM, L.J., I.E ESU and J.P MOBERG. 1993. "Trace elements in some northern Nigerians soils". Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 24(7&8):657-672.

ESU, I. E. and O.E ASIRIBO. 1993. "Soil-vegetation relationships in the Kano plains of northern Nigeria". Geo-Eco-Trop., 17(1-4): 121-135.

ESU, I. E. 1995. "Effects of earthworm (Hyperiodrilus africanus) pedoturbation on selected soil properties in the levees of the Cross River South eastern Nigeria". African soils (Special Edition), Vol, XXVIII:363-374.

RAJI, B.A., I.E ESU, V.O. CHUDE, J.J. OWONUBI and KPARMWANG.1996. "Properties, classification and management implications of soils of Illela sand dunes, northern Nigeria". Journal of Science, Food and Agriculture (Gt.Britain) 71:425-432

ESU, I. E. and J.P MOBERG. 1997. "Clay mineralogical composition of three vertisol pedons developed on different parent materials in North eastern Nigeria". Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, Vol.10

ESU, I.E., A.U. AKPAN-IDIOK and M.O. EYONG. 2008. "Characterization and Classification of Soils along a Typical Hill-slope in Afikpo Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria". Nigeria Journal Soil and Env. Research. Vol 8:1-16

AKPAN-IDIOK, A.U and ESU, I. E. 2013. "Morphology and Classification of Soils under three Mangrove Types in the Cross River Estuary, Southeast Nigeria". Journal of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Ecology, 6(1), 15-25.

UDOH, B. T., ESU, I. E. IBIA, T.O., ONWEREMADU, EU., and UNYIENYIN, S.E. 2013. "Agricultural potential of the beach soils of the Niger-Delta, Nigeria, Nigeria". Malaysian Journal of Soil Science, 17:17-37.

ESU, I. E., AKPAN-IDIOK, A.U., P.I OTIGBO, E.E. AKI and K.I. OFEM. 2014. "Characterization and Classification of Soils in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria". International Journal of Soil Science, (9), 22-36

AKI, E.E., ESU, I. E. and A.U. AKPAN-IDIOK 2014. "Pedological Study of Soils Developed on Biotite-Hornblende-Gnesis in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State of Nigeria". International Journal of Agriculture Research, 9(4), 187-199

Papers Published in Refereed Conference Proceedings

OJANUGA, A.G and ESU, I. E. 1986. Mineralogy of soils of humid tropical South-western Nigeria. Transactions of the 13th International Congress of Soil Science. Hamburg, West Germany, Vol.IV:1468-1469.

LOMBIN, G. and ESU, I. E. . 1988. Characteristics and management problems of the vertisols in the Nigerian savanna. In Jutzi, S. C. et al (eds.) Management of Vertisolsin Sub-Saharan Africa, ILCA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pp. 293–307

ESU, I. E. and O.E. ASIRIBO. 1989. Micronutrient fertility of some northern Nigerian vertisols and associated management implications. In: P.M Ahn and C.R. Elliot (eds), Vertisol Management in Africa. IBSRAM Proceedings No. 9:347-359.

ESU, I. E. 2005. Soil Characterization and mapping for food security and sustainable environment in Nigeria. A keynote address. Proceeding of the Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria, 31:19-28

AKPAN-IDIOK A.U. ESU, I. E. 2012. Characteristics, Uses and Management of Potential Acid Sulfate Soils for Rice Production in Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria. Peter Osterholm, Markku Yli-Halla and Peter Eden (eds). Geological Survey of Finland, Guide 56. Presented at 7th International Sulfate Soil Conference in Vaasa, Finland).

OFEM, K. I and ESU, I. E. 2014. Pedological study of soils developed on schist in Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Proceedings of the 38th Annual Conference of the Soil Science of Nigeria (SSSN), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. pp 122–134.

Monographs and Commissioned Technical and Research Reports

ESU, I. E. 1983. Reconnaissance soil survey of Area NG III (Zungeru-Bida-Mokwa) Niger state, Nigeria. Soil Map of Nigeria Project, Federal Department of Agric. Land Resources, Kaduna. 80pp.

ESU, I. E. 1984. Reconnaissance soil survey of the northern part (Area GSI) of Gongola state. Soil Map of Nigeria Project, Federal Department of Agric. Land Resources, Kaduna, 76pp.

ESU, I. E. 1989. Semi-detailed soil/land capability survey of the Daberam (Darugawa) Irrigation project commissioned by Parkman Nigeria Limited Consulting Engineers, Kaduna, for the Katsina state Government of Nigeria. 106pp.

ESU, I. E. 1991. Detained soil survey of NIHORT FARM at Bunkure, Kano State, Nigeria. A consultancy study project commissioned by the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria. 72pp.

ESU, I. E. 1991. Obudu Irrigation Project Feasibility Study (Final Reports) Annex I: Agricultural Soil Studies. A Consultancy study commissioned by the Cross River Basin Development Authority, Calabar, Nigeria. 54pp.

ESU, I. E., A.U. Akpan-Idiok, G. A. Ayolagha and M. Idoko. 2009. Soil Fertility Evaluation in Three Southern states (Cross River, Edo and Rivers). A Consultancy Project commissioned by the federal Ministry of Agriculture & Water Resources, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. 149pp.

References
  1. Isangedighi, Iyanam (29 March 2019). "Governor Ayade, 25 assembly members-elect get certificates of return". today.ng. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
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