Goddy

Career & Study Mentor

I am appointed one of the mentors under CIRCLE at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.

I had over 20 years experience in agricultural research before I joined the university system in 2014. I passed through technical staff to research staff. The implication is that I had worked under different scientists and higher technical officers and acquired a lot of experience in agricultural research. Iam a Senior Lecturer, and a pedologist in the Department of Soil Science and Meteorology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

As a Senior Research Officer, I was posted to Abuja to Head of a new Sub-station of the National Root Crops Research Institute, (NRCRI) Umudike,
Nigeria. I held the position from 2000 - 2013. In 2008, I was posted to Coordinate Cocoyam Research Programme of the the Institute at Umudike (the head quarters). Under the programme, I became a major player in Cocoyam Rebirth Initiative of the Institute. During the period, integrated nutrient management for the control of cocoyam root rot blight complex (CRRBC) was developed, Gocken Rapid Multiplication Technology for cocoyam was developed, Gocing barn for storage and an interim control for Taro Leaf Disease of cocoyam were developed. Others include quality control in the field an in the barn. I introduced the concept of Psychological Value Addition by introducing a cultural troupe called Giant Crop (cocoyam) Choir in the programme. I composed songs to eulogize the crop and attended cultural carnivals of communities and scientific conferences with mt the cultural troupe to popularize cocoyam. A true cocoyam seed (botanical seed) wa developed in the Institute during my coordinator-ship, school cocoyam programme started.Collaboration Edible Aroids Network started and the Institute acquired 50 exotic accessions.
My impact was so obvious that I was honoured by the Institute Management as the third best Scientist in 2009 and Cocoyam Research Programme was also hounoured as the Third Best coordinated Programme, among the nine (9) research programmes in the Institute. The climax was a prestigious Chieftaincy of Okammuta Ede ! of Igbo Land (literally meaning the First Igbo Professor of Cocoyam) Conferred on me by the Igbo tribe (comprising of six states). I thus became the first Igbo man to be so honoured in relation to cocoyam. I have over 35 publications on cocoyam.

I joined the university system in 2014. I 2015 I started Soil Evangelization, introduced music/song in the teaching of soil science to enhance comprehension and cordial student - lecturership. Two pedology (soil) songs were adopted as the National Anthem of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria at her Annual Conference held at the University of Calaber, Calabar , Cross River State, after the presentation with my students. I am the Deputy Dean College of Crop and Soil Sciences. I have over 70 scientific publications in reputable journals, book chapters and learned Society proceedings. I am supervising undergraduate and postgraduate student projects.
I think, the forgoing influenced my appointment as a mentor. I want to make an indelible mark in capacity building of my mentees.

Thank you

What I Expect From A Mentee:

I expect to meet with the mentees once a week ( a day we shall agree and time). I expect them to come up with the current challenges they are facing. For example, choice of area of specialization, how to write scientific papers, literature search, editing of manuscript, linkage with appropriate professionals for further assistance, etc

More about this mentor:

• Member since almost 6 years

Other Career & Study Mentors:

Have a look at some of the other career & study mentors too