Pegasus Reporters Issues on the Wing
Author: Mash Baker
He is a multi-dimensional professional whose credentials are indeed intimidating! He is very vast in length and breadth in the academic sphere. And he is very active in the social circuit! He works practically round the cock tirelessly!
*Prof Pat Utomi
He is breathtaking in his diverse pursuits! Prof. Patrick Okedinachi Utomi J77 is the Founder/President of the wave-making Centre for Values and Leadership (CVL). Special Assistant on Budget to the President of Nigeria when he was in his 20s. He was widely believed to be the brain behind the Lagos Business School (graduate) and Atlantic University (undergraduate) whereas he was in fact a Director, and undoubtedly, his visibility and media-savvy went a long way to promote the schools.
The Lagos Business School, in particular, is now ranking among the leading business schools in the world. Both institutions are actually owned by Opus Dei, a worldwide educational arm of the Vatican City. Prof. Utomi is the owner, producer and director of Patito’s Gang, a TV Talk Show. He was the youngest Managing Directors of an automobile company (Volkswagen) at age 27! He was the Vice-Chairman, Bank PHB, Chairman, Board Member and Director of several companies. He was President of Lagos Branch of University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNNAA) on four separate terms – two terms in the 80s and another separate two terms in 90s due to popular demand for his leadership! And today, he is President, Jacksonites Alumni Worldwide Association (all those who graduated from the Department of Mass Communications, University of Nigeria, Nsukka). And to cap it all, he was once presidential candidate of one of the political parties in Nigeria!
He is an embodiment of humility and simplicity. A distinguished scholar and professor of social and political economy, prolific author and a completely detribalised Nigerian. As a polyglot, in addition to the English Language, he speaks the three main national languages namely, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba with native fluency.
Prof. Utomi was born in Kaduna. He is a descent of Igbuzo in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. He had his primary education at St. Thomas, Kano 1960 – 1962; Our Lady of Fatima, Gusau 1962- 1966; Christ the King College, Onitsha and Loyola College, Ibadan, finishing his secondary education at the age of 15. The entry age for university education was 17, so he enrolled at the Federal School of Arts and Science in the interim. He later got admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1973 to study Mass Communication and graduated in 1977. He was a lead writer with the famous Newbreed Organization and subsequently, became a columnist for many national and international newspapers, and later, Chairman, Business Day Media Limited. He attended Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA, where he got his PhD. MPA, MA and was appointed Professor of Social and Political Economy Environment of Business and Entrepreneurship at Lagos Business School in 2003. He has been a scholar-in-residence at the Harvard Business School and the American University in Washington, D.C.
Prof. Utomi also belongs to many professional bodies. He is a member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Institute of Directors, IOD, Nigeria Economic Summit Group and Nigeria Economic Society.
He coordinated the establishment of several civil society groups on good governance and accountability such as Transparency in Nigeria, the Centre for Values in Leadership, the Concerned Professionals, and the Restoration Group. He has collaborated frequently with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, and Chatham House, in the UK. He has also written commissioned papers for the UK’s DFID.
As a farmer, he owns a breath-taking integrated farm in Edo State from cultivation, harvesting, storage & marketing not only for local consumption but also for exporting. Integrated Produce City is expected to create at least 30,000 jobs.
He is the Chairman of the Governing Council, Edo State University, Iyamho. And he is one of a few alumni that UNN has recognised with doctorate honoris causa!
A mega architectural masterpiece!
Prof. Utomi is spearheading the fundraising and construction of a new Jackson Building, a mega architectural masterpiece located at the University Centre which shall house the Faculty of Mass Communication and Media Studies. The idea is that the state-of-the-art multi-purpose building will take Nsukka to the world and bring the world to Nsukka!
At this juncture, I’ll like to call on every Jacksonite to join me to wish our cerebral professor a birthday filled with all the goodness from the throne of the Majesty on High!
By Mash Baker
All correspondences, typed and double-spaced should be sent to the Editor, at pegasusreporters@gmail.com. Follow us on @pegasusreport on Twitter and on Facebook The Pegasus Report. Join our mailing list on Telegram (+234 8133088344) and on WhatsApp (+234 8154445334).©Pegasus Reporters
