joshua
Born 1935,
Hails from the Traditional and historical town of ugwolawo the current headquarters of Ofu Local government in Kogi state.
EDUCATION
Qua-Iboe Primary School. Ugwolawo. Kogi State. 1945- 49; Provincial Middle School. Okene. Kogi State 1949-52; School of Agriculture. Zaria, 1953-54; Nigerian College of Technology. Zaria. 1955-57; University College. Ibadan. 1958-61: Chelsea College of Science and Technology, University of London. 1964-67; Royal Institute of Public Administration
He is inaguably the first Igala graduate.
APPOINTMENTS IN THE PAST.
Pupil Chemist, Chemistry Division, Ministry of Health, and Northern Nigeria, 1961-63: Chemist. Government Laboratory. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, London 1964-65; Analyst, Laboratories of Messrs.’ Thomas MacLauchlan and Partners, London, 1965-67; Government Chemist, Northern Nigeria, 1967-70; Federal Government Chemist, Federal Ministry of Health. 1970-74; Nigerian representative. Chemist’s Committee of the Customs Co-operation Councils, Brussels, 1970- 75; ch: Advisory Board for Science and Mathematics, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, 1971-74; mm: Faculty Board of Technology. University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, 1972- 74, Governing Council. University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1976-78; mm. Board of Governors, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. 1980-82; dir: Food and Drugs Administration and Laboratory Services, Federal Ministry of Health. 1976-82; ps: Office of the v-presd.. State House. Lagos. 1982-83; ps: Political and Police Affairs, Cabinet Office. Lagos. 1983; ps: Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Lagos; ch: Ports Decongestion Committee, the Presidency, Lagos; ch: Benro Packaging Company Ltd; 1990-93; dir. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. 1990-93; e-ch: Alfa Laboratories Limited, since 1986; ch: Amen Food Industries Limited, since 1987; ch. Council mem. and Common Heritage; presd. Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria and ch: Council; v-presd. Codex Aliamentarius Commission. (WHO/FAO Food Standards Programme). 1970-82.
Royal Society of Chemistry, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 1965; Royal Society of Health. Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 1967; Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, 1976; Chemical Society of Nigeria; Chartered Chemist of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
Retired from service in 1986 and has since established and been running a modest business as public analyst and industrial consultant.
Exploits as an outstanding member of the Chemical Society of Nigeria includes ; Coordinating efforts for the decongestion of the nation’s port in 1983. Representing the Ministry of Health on several Councils and Boards. Setting up and pioneering the administration of the office of the Vice President of Nigeria in 1983. Pioneering the food and drug administration and control in Nigeria . Coordinating efforts for the enabling law for environmental regulation in Nigeria . Coordinating efforts for the design and construction of major highways and bridges in Nigeria-examples include Ajaokuta Bridge , Ajaokuta-Otukpa and Ilorin-Jebba federal highways, several federal secretariats in the states as well as the Nigeria House in New York . He representing Nigeria for many years on international organisations including the Chemists Committee of the Customs Cooperation Council in Brussels and Codex Alimentarius in Rome .
LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT
Mr. Akoh has had a very active post retirement life. As the President of Idah Divisional Development Association, he participated in the building of both educational and health institutions in his community. As a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, he was for a time involved in many states and federal political activities. At different times he has been member of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; Chairman of Benro Packaging Company Limited, member of the Board of Directors of Peugeot Automobile Company of Nigeria ; President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria.
SOME PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Mr. Akoh is a fellow of the following professional bodies: Royal Society of Chemistry of the United Kingdom, Chemical Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria. He is also a Chartered Chemist of the United Kingdom .
AWARDS
Mr Akoh has received the Professional Excellence Award of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN. In 1995, he was conferred with the title Omachi Attah Igala by His Royal Majesty, Aliyu Obaje, the Attah Igala reigning at the time.
LIFE AND MARRIAGE.
He is married to Mrs. Mary Asimawo Akoh and they have four children. The marriage is over 60 years old and in this period it was told that he has never quarreled with his heart throb.
HOBBIES
reading, gardening, swimming, badminton.
