Biography of Professor Esua Orok Udosen

Birth and Early Life

Esua Orok Udosen was born to Mary Udosen and Moses Udosen on the 7th of September 1948, the first of 9 children who were born to the family of Moses Akpan Orok Udosen. He attended Methodist Boys School and usually he shared that he and Prof. Antiaobong were the smallest in the class, always seated at the front of the classroom as the others were very big men, with mustaches and would threaten to knock their heads whenever they misbehaved, the usual threat was, "...nya Kong iwod Nfo…". They studied very hard at Methodist Boys High School.

Prof. continued on to the University of Ibadan, where unfortunately his father passed on just two weeks after he started University. Prof. studied biochemistry. Prof shared that he became a student of Biochemistry when on arrival for admissions, he realized that other departments had finished accepting students and were closed. He then continued with a full scholarship to pursue his doctorate at the University of Chelsea, England where he obtained his Masters and PhD degrees, majoring in Enzymology. After his graduation, Prof. returned to Nigeria to work as one of the pioneers who started at the Department of Biochemistry Basic Medical Sciences at the old site where he lectured before taking a sabbatical to work in the island of Jamaica for some time. Later on, he returned to Nigeria to continue his tenure as a Lecturer in the Biochemistry Department until his retirement in 2018. He then continued contractual obligations until his passing. During his study term in London, he proceeded on the instruction of his mother, to buy a parcel of land at Odot in 1978, in order to build a house for his mother and all his siblings. This he always said to us his children, was to ensure that his mother was safe and comfortable and his siblings would have a roof over their heads.

As the eldest son, Prof. always had to prevent his younger siblings from fighting. At times they refused to listen to him and would continue tussling, until his mom came home and shouted why he didn't stop them from fighting. Prof’s response was that he asked them to stop and they refused, hence when they are tired, they would stop. Their mother then proceeded to discipline them until they stopped. Dad was always studying his books and chewing a sizeable stick which prevented him from sleeping, as he was always using a kerosene lantern to study. He always advised his brothers not to fight. He was always studying, even when on holidays, he hardly used to play with his siblings.... dad was the consummate book worm. According to uncle Lawrence, daddy’s junior brother, dad inspired him to excel in his academics, he was a brother he always emulated, as before making any decision he would ask himself “in all my decision making, will my big brother be proud of this?”

Marriage and Family Life

While studying in London, England, Prof. as we fondly called him, saw a beautiful queen, Grace Aquaowo, who he fell in love with and introduced her to his mother as his wife to be. With his mother's approval, they got married on December 1st of 1984, the marriage was blessed with four lovely children, three boys and a girl. Prof. enjoyed a fulfilling and happy marriage with his wife Grace as they were both committed to serving their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth. Daddy was always very neat, and this was evident in the way he carried himself. His wife also made it her duty to ensure he was always looking sharp and dapper. He loved nature and would water the flowers at his home every morning.

Daddy enjoyed travelling with his wife and they both visited such countries as Malta, many countries in West Africa, Jamaica, UK and Germany. He also spent a lot of time in New York and Maryland, USA where he often spent his vacation with his wife and family.

With respect to marriage, Prof. would advise his children to marry someone who lived in Nigeria, his reason was that anyone outside Nigeria, would not understand the Nigerian culture and would find it hard to come to visit Nigeria. Nevertheless, when dad met the wife of his first son, Mfonabasi for the very first time, he immediately called her his daughter (she had lost her father at a very tender age), and that daughter-father bond was formed. Whenever his first son called him on the phone to speak with him, his first question would be where is your wife, how is she.... let me speak with her. Prof. would then call her by her name … and she would respond, “daddy daddy” and Prof. would say “idem Nfo?’ and she would respond asung. When daddy proceeded to speak in Ibibio, the first son’s wife would protest jokingly that his Akpan still hasn't taught her everything...and they would both proceed to laugh. Prof. always ensured that morning devotional prayers was kept every morning at his home, he was always find of calling everyone to prayers. Usually, he would say to his wife, Nene di yak ibong akam.

EDUCATION & SERVICE

Professor Esua Udosen was the first individual in his family to not just have a degree (which was funded by himself and through being awarded several scholarships) but he is still to date, the first and only Professor in his family and village (Akpang-Ofop).

Ph.D. Applied Biochemistry University of London (UK) 1981-1 984

M.Sc. Analytical Chemistry University of London (UK) 1979 - 1980

B.Sc. Biochemistry University of Ibadan (Oyo, NG) 1971 - 1975

WASC Boys High School (Akwa Ibom, NG) 1962 - 1966

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS & DATES

• Eastern Nigeria Scholarship (Secondary Level) 1962 - 1966

• Prizes in Secondary School (Academic & Poetry 1962 - 1966

• South Eastern State/Federal Scholarship (Undergraduate Level) 1971 - 1975

• Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship (Post Graduate Level) 1979 - 1984

CONFERENCES ATTENDED & PRESENTATIONS

• Conference on Herbal Medicine/Youth Activities, Kingston, Jamaica 2006

• Conference on Diabetes and Aging, Kingston, Jamaica 2005

• Udosen, E. O et al, Effects of Kolanot – Alcohol Interaction 2004

on the Brain ATPase activity in Wistar albino rats,

24th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society of

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Calabar,

Cross River State, Nigeria

WORK EXPERIENCE

Chairman, Biochemistry Graduate Committee 2009 – date

College Representative Graduate School 2004 – date

Deputy Dean of Basic Medical Sciences 2003 – date

Member, Postgraduate Committee Biochemistry Department, 1995 till date

UNICAL

Head of Department Biochemistry Department, UNICAL 2000 – 2002

Consultant to Shell BP (Nig.) Ltd 1995 – 1997

Biochemist, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK 1978 – 1979

Biochemist, Chemical Pathology, 1978

University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Biochemist, St. Margaret’s’ Hospital, Calabar, 1976 - 1977

Cross River State, Nigeria.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, 2001 till date

University of Calabar 2001 till date

Professor of Biochemistry Northern Caribbean University, 2007

Mandeville, Jamaica

The University of the West Indies Kingston, Jamaica (2005)

Teaching/Research, B.Sc., Medical, 1981 till date

Nursing/Graduate Students

Chelsea College, University of London (1978 - 1984)

Teaching; Girls’ College, Egbe, Kogi State, Nigeria (1975 – 1976)

Methodist Secondary School, Odot (1970 – 1971)

Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Member Post Graduate Committee 1995 till date

ACHIEVEMENT / COMMUNITY SERVICE

External Examiner, Crutech 2016 till date

External Examiner, Ojukwu University 2016

External examiner for Professional candidate, Uniuyo 2014

External Examiner, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 2010

External Assessor for Professorial Candidate UNN 2009

External Examiner, University of Uyo, AKS 2007 – 2009

External Examiner, University of Benin, Nigeria 2002 – 2003

Senate Member, Unical, Cross River State 2000 till date

External Examiner, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria 1995 – 1998

Secretary, Chapel of Redemption, UNICAL 1995 – 1996

Coordinator, Break time Fellowship, College of 1995 – 2002

Medical Sciences, University of Calabar

SEWIS Coordinator, Biochemistry Department UNICAL 1995 – 2002

Member, College Prize/Scholarship Committee 1993 – 1995

AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Member of Nigerian Environmental Society of Nigeria 2004

Member of Nutritional Society of Nigeria 2002

Member Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 1992

Member Winners Chapel 2005 - 2012

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

Prof. Esua Orok Udosen's publications, both single and partnerships are innumerable to mention. His first publication was in 1987 and continued with partnerships with well esteemed and accomplished scholars all through till 2012. A few of these innumerable partners are as follows:

Partnerships with a host of scholars include: -

Ekpo, E. B.,

Ifon, E. T.,

Udofia, O.,

Andy, J. J.,

Ebong, P. E.,

Ukpanah, U. I.,

Obeifuna, I. P.,

Obeifuna, P. C. M.,

Korubo-Owiye,

Ekanem, E. E.,

Umotong, O.,

Etuk, I. S.

Davidson, I. K.,

Abara, A. E.,

Eka, O. U.,

Mbissah, J. A.,

Akpanabiatu, M. I.

Bassey, N. B.,

Eyong, E. U.,

Udoma, E. J.,

M. S, Umoh,

Udoh, U. E.,

Unigbe, O. S.,

Enang, M. I.,

Ugwu, O. A.,

Edet E. E.,

Abara, A. E.,

Elea, O. U.

Akpan, E. E.

Lazarus, M. I.,

Udoma, E. J.

V. S. Ekam,

Robert, A. E.,

U. O. Luke in 2012 (last publication).

Church and Community Life

Prof. served at the Chapel of Redemption Church, UNICAL in the capacity of Secretary for seven years and as the leader of the Men's Fellowship Evangelism unit while extending himself to as many persons as he was able to. Prof. was also very active in the men's fellowship and UNICAL Church Council.

Prof. was a family oriented man who always ensured that his wife, children, mother, brothers and sisters were always taken care of and stayed together, no matter the circumstances. Prof always saw his entire family as "ONE" no matter the circumstances. He never spoke ill of anyone but warned of the person's behavior and possible outcome. He enjoyed reading, academic research, church activities, and found satisfaction in farming and gardening.

Prof. believed in giving back to his community and so he would offset the cost of school fees for many of his students and supported them financially. He was a father to all his students, always giving sound advice and preaching the gospel to them at any given opportunity. He also loved to visit the widows and orphans and he supported many persons in and around his community financially to the best of his ability. Daddy enjoyed serving in his church and so he was rarely absent from church.

Mannerisms

Prof. was a man of few words and when he made a decision, would stand by that word, the only persons who were successful in having him change his mind were his lovely wife and daughter. He was a godly man who always put God first in everything he did. His favorite passage was Psalm 1 where he emphasized that blessed is the man who did not stay in the counsel of the ungodly. His favorite songs were Amam…eyen-abasi Amam, kop idara moyogó ke-esit mmi, amongst others.

Anyone who knew Prof. Udosen knew that he was a man of deep spirituality and great faith in God. Prof. was an exemplary teacher whose professional practice was the working out of his faith in God in Christ and his accepted obligation to serve his country and community.

In conclusion,

In addition to being a dedicated and loving father and grandfather, Prof. also loved reading the word of God and leading people to Christ as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle as a Biochemist. Throughout his entire life, he held an unwavering faith in God, which he shared with those who surrounded him. He was a man of very few words, quiet and eloquent in speech. He was soft spoken but had very profound words when he spoke. A man of peace and resolute in his decision.

Please join the entire family of Udosen as we celebrate the life of Professor Esua Orok Udosen as he joins the faithfully departed in Heaven. He is survived by his wife, four children, two daughters-in-law, one son -in -law and two grandchildren, brothers, sisters, extended family members and dear friends. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants. (Psalms 116:16). 

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