Uchenna Ikonne (15 August 1956 – 25 January 2023) was a Nigerian professor of

optometry Optometry is the healthcare practice concerned with examining the eyes for visual defects, prescribing corrective lenses, and detecting eye abnormalities. In the United States and Canada, optometrists are those that hold a post-baccalaureate f ...

and politician. In December 2015, he became the 7th substantive vice-chancellor of

Abia State University Abia State University Uturu (ABSU) is a Nigerian public university. It is one of the state-owned universities in Nigeria. These state academic institutions were created to expand admissions and bring professional skills, expertise and modern res ...

, having previously served as the rector of

Abia State Polytechnic Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic (Abia State Polytechnic) is a state government-owned Polytechnic established in 1992, and located in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. The Polytechnic is composed of different schools, such as the School of Science & Engineerin ...

, Aba, from 2014 to 2015. Ikonne took Abia State University from 93rd position, on assumption of office in 2015, to 27th and 2nd best state university in Nigeria in the 2020 Nigerian University Ranking. Ikonne was the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the

2023 Abia State elections The Abia State elections in 2023 were held on 25 February, 11 March, and 28 April 2023. As part of the nationwide election, the state voted for President and Vice President on 25 February. Additionally, elections for the Senate and the House of ...

Early life and education

Ikonne was born in Agburuike, Nsulu, in

Isiala Ngwa North Isiala-Ngwa North is a Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is Okpuala-Ngwa. It has an area of 283 km and a population of 153,734 based on the 2006 census. The postal code of the area is 451. Some notable indige ...

, Abia State. After attending

Ngwa High School Ngwa High School is a secondary school for boys in Aba, Nigeria, Aba. It is located in Abayi, a town in Osisioma Ngwa. History The school was established in 1954 with 29 boys. The school was supposed to be in Umuocham but was relocated to Ab ...

Aba ABA may refer to: Aviation * AB Aerotransport, former Scandinavian airline * IATA airport code for Abakan International Airport in Republic of Khakassia, Russia Businesses and organizations Broadcasting * Alabama Broadcasters Association, Uni ...

of Abia State, he studied optometry at

Manila Central University Manila Central University (MCU), formerly known as the Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila, is a Private university, private, Nonsectarian, non-sectarian, stock corporation, stock basic and higher Types of educational institutions#Higher Ed ...

, Philippines. He also graduated from a specialist master's degree programme in

hospital administration Health administration, healthcare administration, healthcare management, health services management or hospital management is the field relating to leadership, management, and administration of public health systems, health care systems, hos ...

at St. Jude College, in the Philippines, and on his return to Nigeria in 1985, he served as a consulting

optometrist Optometry is the healthcare practice concerned with examining the eyes for visual defects, prescribing corrective lenses, and detecting eye abnormalities. In the United States and Canada, optometrists are those that hold a post-baccalaureate f ...

at Park Lane General Hospital, Enugu, and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in environmental health science from Abia State University.

Career

From 2010 to 2014, Ikonne served as the deputy vice-chancellor (academic) of Abia State University before becoming the rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba. In December 2015, he was appointed the 7th substantive vice-chancellor of Abia State University, a position he held until 30 November 2020. He also served as the head of the Department of Optometry in the same institution. While at Abia State University, he served as the acting dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and deputy provost of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. In 1993, he was appointed as a member of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria. He was subsequently appointed chairman of the education committee in Abia State. In 2019, he was appointed chairman of the Governing Board of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN), serving until 2022. Ikonne won the African Optometric Educator Award of the year 2003 and the Distinguished Merit Award of the Nigerian Optometric Association 2006. On 25 May 2022, Ikonne was elected as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the

2023 Abia State gubernatorial election The 2023 Abia State gubernatorial election took place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Abia State, concurrent with elections to the Abia State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to ...

Death

Ikonne died at the National Hospital, Abuja, around 4 am on 25 January 2023, after suffering multiple cardiac arrests.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ikonne, Uchenna Living people Nigerian health professionals Optometrists Nigerian male writers Academic staff of Abia State University Igbo academics Vice-chancellors of Abia State University Uturu 1956 births