Efio-Ita Nyok|8 December 2015|6:10am
QUASI AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF DR. JOHN OFEM INYANG
Elder Dr. John Ofem Inyang was born on the 9th of December, 1968 into the Christian family of HRH Chief Ofem Inyang, Clan Head of Kaboli ward in Idomi, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. Answering to his academic enthusiasm and zest at a young, he started his primary education at the Presbyterian Primary School Idomi and completed at the Army Children School Yaba, Lagos State in 1979 and immediately enrolled into the Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos State. Due to the military transfer of his father from Lagos State to Rivers State, Dr. John Inyang returned to the village and completed his secondary education at the Community Secondary School Idomi in 1984 where he made his WAEC outstandingly.
As the drive for intellectual development advanced, between 1985 and 1986, he was admitted into the Federal School of Arts and Science Ogoja for his High School Certificate (HSC) which he never completed as he got admission the following year to study Philosophy at the University of Calabar in 1987. A discipline (Philosophy) he will later reach its professional apogee. After four years of academic hard work, Dr. Inyang successfully graduated from the department of philosophy with a Second Class Upper in 1991. With this perspicacious result, in the course of the mandatory NYSC program he was deployed to the University of Ilorin, Kwara State in 1992. However, during the service year, he had his first teaching experience as he taught a compulsory course “Philosophy and Logic” to all fresh students of the university. Little wonder his grasp of the discipline is second to none!
After the service year, Dr. Inyang returned to Cross River State with his desire to share his knowledge to others, he was employed with the Post Primary Schools Management Board as a secondary school teacher in 1992. He served the state in this tedious teaching capacity for five straight productive years until when in 1993, he was admitted in the University of Calabar to do a masters degree program in Public Administration (MPA) which he completed successfully in 1995. His academic proficiency was never to let go by the University as he was employed by the University of Calabar as a Graduate Assistant in the department of Philosophy, teaching courses in philosophy in since 1998. This of course was buttressed with the award of two study fellowships by the University of Calabar between 1998 and 2006, Dr. Inyang utilized this to further his education, hence, obtaining another masters degree in 2002 and a Ph.D in 2007 both in Philosophy from the University of Calabar.
As a sage and academic per excellence, he has taught numerous courses in philosophy for over 18 years, this broadens his intellectual tentacles thus orchestrated his academic dexterity as he has researched and published over 25 articles and book chapters in both foreign and local journals of no mean academic reputes. With such academic and intellectual excellence, he has ascended all the necessary carder of civil service and he was most recently been promoted to the cadre of Associate Professor in Philosophy having been successfully appraised in 2014 for promotion to the rank of a Reader (Associate Professor). Applause to you Mr. Honourable Commissioner.
Dr. Inyang is not just an arm chair speculative Philosopher but a seasoned, tested, trusted and certified administrator. He has orchestrated this in numerous service positions. Service for him is for the Glorification of God and the betterment of Humanity. Among the different positions he has handled to prove the praxis of his administrative efficiency are;
Ø Sub Dean of the Faculty of Arts University of Calabar 2012-2014.
Ø Current Chairman of the Post Graduate Program, Faculty of Arts University of Calabar.
Ø Chairman Faculty of Arts Committee on Facilities/Technical Matters.
Ø Chairman MBA, PGDM Result Vetting Committee, Graduate School, University of Calabar.
Ø Chairman Result Vetting Committee, Philosophy Department, University of Calabar.
Ø Chairman G.O 1 (Association of Academics), Faculty of Arts, University of Calabar. 2009-date.
Ø Chairman Idomi Development Union, Calabar branch. 2006 to date.
Ø Member Nigerian Philosophical Association.
Ø Chairman of the Post Graduate School Results and Theses Vetting Committee.
Ø Member Independent Observers, Students Union Elections, University of Calabar, Calabar. 2014 to date
Ø Serving Member Graduate School University of Calabar/ Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Review of MoU on Graduate Programme Committee
Ø Serving Member of the Graduate School Handbook Review Committee and Chairman of the MBA and PGDM Result Vetting Committee.
Ø Academic Facilitator at the National Open University Calabar centre since 2006 to date.
Ø Former Member of the Faculty of Arts Curriculum Review Committee.
Ø Former Coordinator of GSS 1121/1122 (Philosophy and Logic) Centre for General Studies University of Calabar, Calabar. 2011-2013.
Ø Former Member Faculty of Arts Journal (Ndunode) Publication Committee, University of Calabar, Calabar. 2004-2006
Ø Former Member Faculty of Arts Merit Award Committee, University of Calabar. 2002-2004
Ø Former Adviser Faculty of Arts Students Association (FASA), University of Calabar. 2001-2003
Ø Former Examination Officer, Department of Philosophy. University of Calabar, Calabar. 2008-2011.
Ø Former Secretary Department of Philosophy Academic Staff Board, University of Calabar, Calabar. 2002-2006
Ø Former Secretary Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Electoral Committee, University of Calabar, Calabar. 2004-2010
Ø Former Secretary Idomi Development Union, Calabar Branch. 2002-2004
Ø Former Secretary Special Task Force on the Development of Idomi Community. 2005-2006.
I mention unequivocally that Dr. Inyang has faithfully and steadfastly served the University of Calabar in various capacities to his credit and the betterment of Humanity that saw him do a one year sabbatical leave at the University of Port Harcourt in 2013 where his resourcefulness was well utilized.
Not being excluded from the reality that man is Homo politicus, in his Political inclination and identification, Dr. Inyang is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the cradle of the party in the state. In a bid to respond to the yearning of his constituents for a responsible leadership and equitable representation, he contested the House of Assembly Primaries Election twice in 2007 and 2014. A genuine passion to put to practice the theories of Philosophy, hence render ideal democratic representation to his loving constituents of Yakurr 1 State constituency and the entire state. He has indubitably served the party since 1999 in various capacities at the State, Local Government and ward levels. Worthy of mention are:
Ø Secretary Research and Planning committee, 2014 Governorship Elections, PDP Campaign Organization, Cross River State.
Ø Member Research and Planning, 2012 Governorship Elections, Liyel Imoke Campaign Organization, Cross River State.
Ø Member Research and Planning, 2011 General Elections. PDP Campaign Organization, Cross River State
Ø Member Directorate of Youth Affairs, 2007 General Elections, PDP Campaign Organization, Cross River State.
Ø Secretary PDP Caucus, Yakurr L.G.A., Cross River State. 2002-2003
Ø Political Leader PDP Idomi Council Ward. 2000-2007
Ø Ward Coordinator 2007 General Elections, PDP Campaign, Idomi
Ø Ward Coordinator 2003 General Elections, PDP Campaigns, Idomi
Ø Secretary 2004 PDP Congress, Yakurr Chapter, Cross River State
Ø Chairman 2004 PDP Congress, Idomi Council Ward. Yakurr L.G.A., Cross River State
With such dedicated commitment in all of his engagements, the absence of awards in his profile would have inevitably questioned the authenticity and genuiness of this profile. He meritoriously has the following awards to his credit;
Ø Academic Performance Merit Award: Secondary School Idomi, Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State. 1984
Ø Excellent performance and Noble Contribution Merit Award: National Association of Yakurr Students (nays), University of Calabar chapter. 1991
Ø Study Fellowship Award: University of Calabar, Calabar. 1998-2002
Ø Study Fellowship Award: University of Calabar, Calabar. 2003-2006
Ø National Patron Award: National Youth’s Coalition for Jonathan/Sambo. 2015
Ø Leadership Distinction Award: Nigeria Organization for Youths Advancement (NOYA), South-South Zone, Nigeria. 2009
Ø Award of Honour: Student’s Union Government, University of Calabar, Calabar. 2015
Ø Award of recognition: Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Cross River State. 2014
Ø Award of Excellence: National Association of Yakurr Students Worldwide (NAYS-WW),
Ø Award of Outstanding Contribution: Central Senatorial Students’ Assembly of Cross River State.
Ø Award of Honour and Live Patron: National Association of Idomi Students worldwide (NAISWW).
After the energy sapping academic work and the fatigue of each day, Dr. Inyang is always welcomed home with heart soothing smiles and warm embrace of his amiable wife. That is to say, Dr. Inyang is married to Mrs. Philomena John Inyang and blessed with four lovely children Jesam, John, Jessica and Jeffery.
Hobbies: Reading and Traveling.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Writer, Blogger & the Editor of Negroidhaven.com