AL-HAU24news

Pam Moses

Crest Hotel in Jos was on Friday agog as a public reception and presentation of books in honour of the quintessential former Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University Bokkos and outgoing 21st President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Professor Yohana Daniel Izam, was hosted by family and friends.

The event witnessed a galore of speeches and cultural dances, as guests poured encomiums on the scholar, administrator and political leader.

The celebrant acknowledged God
who has helped him to be the administrator of two tertiary Institutions in Plateau State as well as a former member of the State Executive Council. and several other public service appointments.

Izam said the idea of presenting two books during the event is to give back from his experience gathered over the years as a scholar so that younger generations can be mentored by us and aspire to be greater than us. And I am humbled to have mentored a lot of people, some in the state and national assembly, some are now Professors and we also have a state governor that was our student.

Yohana Izam was born on January 13th 1967 in Sade Village of the then Northern Region of Nigeria to his late parents, Daniel Makeri Izam and Tabitha Musa Sarkinyara, had his early life and Education in Villages such as Dass, Alkaleri, Darazo in North Eastern State.

In 1975, Izam was at the LEA School Chwelnyap Jos, later in 1976 at LEA Rukuba, Binchi and in 1977 at LEA Bungha Mangu where he emerged as the best-graduating pupil in the 1978 set.

He was in St Johns College Jos for his Secondary Education between 1978 and 1983 where he held the position of Oyetade House Captain and graduated with prime grades in the GCE O level Examinations.

He received his PhD in the field of Construction Management from the University of Jos in 2008 having earlier obtained an MSc (Construction Technology) in 1990 from the University of Lagos and a Bachelor’s Degree (Building) in 1987 from the University of Jos.

Until he was appointed the fourth Vice Chancellor of the Plateau state university Bokkos on 1st March 2018, Professor Izam was a Professor and Head of the Building Department at the University of Jos.

His academic trajectory started in 1990 when at the tender age of 23 and armed with a master’s degree, he joined the Civil Engineering and Water Resources Engineering Department University of Maiduguri as Lecturer II.

He later joined the Department of Building, University of Jos in 1996 as Lecturer 1 and rose to the rank of senior lecturer in 1999. In 2000, he was appointed the Provost of the then College of Arts, Science and remedial studies by Chief Joshua Dariye’s administration in PlateStateate.

His pioneering efforts for the College led to its commissioning in 2001 by the then-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

In a show of appreciation, the Host Community, Kurgwi in Quan’Pan LGA through its traditional council appointed him Majidadin Kurgwi in 2002.

In 2003 he was again appointed the Commissioner for Housing and Transport, Plateau State until 2007 when he returned to the University of Jos to continue his academic career.

He rose to the position of Professor of Construction Management at the University of Jos in 2011.

Professor Izam has to his credit over 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and workshops. He has also been a guest lecturer at numerous local and international fora where he has
presented papers on a wide range of educational, Youth and environmental issues.

In 2004, Prof. Izam co-founded the International Index Network (IIN) an NGO with a focus on promoting research, advocacy and dissemination of information on nation-building. He became the first national coordinator of the organization which boasts of a pan-Nigerian membership.

As part of the Celebration of Nigeria’s 100 years since amalgamation, the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation appointed Prof. Izam as Consultant and Chief Judge of the Centenary Youth Zonal/National Quiz Competition which was televised nationwide in 2014 to reawaken patriotism, foster peace among Nigerian Youths. The project, code-named” Nigerian Youths at Centenary” also published the highly celebrated documentary entitled, In Our Minds which is a Compendium of award-winning essays on topical national issues by Nigerian Youth at Centenary.

A consummate academic leader, community leader (Majidadin Kurgwi and Garkuwan Fursum) and Professional Leader, Prof. Izam is also the immediate past President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) which mentors students, artisans and building graduates preparatory to being licensed as professionals.

He was appointed a member of the 6th and 7th Boards of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) by President Muhamadu Buhari GCFR. He was elected Senate Representative on the Physical Planning and Development Committee of the University of Jos Governing Council; a member of the 5th and 6th Governing Council and the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Plateau state University Bokkos.

The former Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Simon Bako Lalong, through the
former SGS, Prof. Danladi Abok Atu said the history of the Plateau State University, will not be complete without the mention of Prof Izam’s contribution which resulted in the naming of the Senate chambers after him by the Senate and Council of the University.

Lalong further stated that Izam put the University on the map of highly regarded Universities in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya commended Prof. Izam for sparing time to write books despite the hectic nature of the Vice Chancellors’ work.

Ishaya said Izam is a staff of the University of Jos and they are proud of him.

The Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University, Prof. Benard Matur flanked by the DVC Administration and the Registrar were all elated with the celebrant who was the immediate past V.C PLASU saying that the University will always remain proud of him.

GGoodwillmessages came from the President-Elect and past Presidents of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Members representing Jos South/Jos East in the National Assembly, Hon Dachung Bagos, members representing Jos East Constituency, Hon. Isah Ajiji, Jos North West Constituency, Hon. Danjuma Azi, Pankshin North, Hon. Gabriel Dewan as well as traditional rulers from Plateau and Bauchi states.

The occasion which was chaired by Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, Sen. Diket Plang had
dignitaries entertained with varieties of dishes as well as thrills with famous Izere Asharwa Dancers.

The resources from the launch will be channelled to Izam Environmental Care Centre a foundation for promoting the education of orphans and the less privileged in society.