Uniben to Host Evening of Tributes for Late Professor John Idiodi

Family and well-wishers of late Professor John Ovuezirie Akeraino Idiodi from all around the world will on Monday, September 9, 2024, converge at the Main Auditorium of the University of Benin Ugbowo for an Evening of Tributes for the departed professor of Theoretical Physics.

A programme of events released by the Idiodi family of Ofagbe in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State announced that the late Professor will be laid to rest in his family compound at Idiodi Street, Ofagbe, on Thursday, September 12, 2024

Married to Dr. (Mrs.) Evelyn Omoluabi Idiodi, a distinguished daughter of Ososo Kingdom in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Professor Idiodi was honored in April 2019 with the Chieftaincy title of Ita Osomhere of Ososo Kingdom along his wife, who got the title of Inya Osesafe of Ososo.

Early Life:

A biography of the deceased authored by his son, Ivan Idiodi disclosed that Prof. John Ovuezirie Akeraino Idiodi was born on Monday, January 2, 1950, in Ofagbe, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. He was the second of four children, born to Madam Irene and Pa. Christopher Okoro Idiodi, an accomplished educator whose influence inspired John’s early and enduring love for learning. Both parents were professional teachers and Christian missionaries.

His academic journey began at James Welch Grammar School, Emevor, where he excelled and obtained his West African School Certificate in 1966. His quest for knowledge led him to the prestigious Federal Government College, Sokoto, where he pursued his Higher School Certificate (HSC) and General Certificate of Education (GCE) between 1967 and 1969. His exceptional academic performance earned him a place at the University of Ibadan, where he majored in Physics and graduated with honors in 1974.

He returned to the University of Ibadan, where he was admitted into the postgraduate program in Physics while also working as a graduate assistant. His intellectual prowess and dedication culminated in the attainment of his PhD in Theoretical Physics on July 17, 1980. This achievement marked the beginning of a distinguished academic career.

His academic excellence caught the attention of the international academic community, leading him to the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, where he served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 1983 to 1985. His tenure in Europe also included a visiting scientist position at the University of Modena, Italy, and a prestigious Swedish Institute Scholarship at the University of Technology in Göthenburg, Sweden between 1987 and early 1988. He also served as a Guest Researcher at the Institute for Theoretical Physics of the Spanish National Research Council (C.S.I.C) in Madrid, Spain, and at the Higher Institute for Electronic and Digital Training (I.S.E.N) in Lille, France.

Prof. Idiodi returned to Nigeria with his family in November 1988 on the invitation of the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin at the time, Prof Grace Alele Williams, who met them at the ICTP, Trieste, Italy. He joined the university as a Senior Lecturer and his spouse Evelyn as a Senior Librarian. In just under four years, his growing reputation as a scholar and educator was recognized with a promotion to Associate Professor in 1992. His characteristic humility led him to only apply for full Professorship in 2004, despite meeting the criteria several years before.

Throughout his career, Professor John Idiodi remained deeply committed to research, teaching, and mentoring students, particularly in his specialized field of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics. His expertise encompassed a wide range of subjects, including atomic and nuclear physics, quantum theory, and mathematical physics, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Prof. John Idiodi is survived by his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Evelyn Omoluabi Idiodi, a son, and a daughter.

-By Our Correspondent