The Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB) has nominated the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for its legacy award.

NSBMB said the nomination has proven that not all academics are lost in the manipulative corridors of power once they get into appointive or elective office.

In a letter by the President of NSBMB, Professor Matthew Owonda Wegwu, the society said it is certainly not part of conventional logic for a thoroughbred Nigerian academic who holds political office, let alone, one holding the high office of Governor to show proclivity for the academia.

NSBMB, in the letter, commended Ikpeazu for remaining marginally or fully engaged in academic activities while in office as governor of Abia State.

A statement made available by the spokesperson of Ikpeazu, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, said NSBMB recalled with pride the fact that even as governor, Ikpeazu constantly engaged himself in the teaching of Biochemistry at the Abia State University, publishing over 44 articles in peer-reviewed journals, most of which were the prestigious Scopus indexed journals.”

NSBMB also explained in the letter that the former Abia State governor also co-authored a book on Environmental Biochemistry, while in power.

“Ikpeazu has brought honour to the biochemistry profession and on account thereof, the National Executive Council of NSBMB unanimously resolved to confer a Legacy Award on Your Excellency,” the society said.

According to Ememanka, the Award is coming a few months after Ikpeazu was inducted into the Governing Body of the society. The award ceremony will hold at the auditorium of National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja on December 5, 2023.