The book
On the Path of Destiny is an autobiography of Distinguished Prof. John Oamen Igene. It tells the story of his entire life from birth through schools, working career, marriage and family life. Destiny has had significant impacts in the course of his life. In particular, the book tells the story of the faithfulness of the Lord in his life; how God orchestrated time and chance in his favour and brought him to enviable heights.
This book is a testament of God’s intervention in human affairs, turning disappointments into appointments which has translated into uncommon blessings in the life of the author from absolute nothing to something; all by God’s grace and mercy. The details of the circumstances, challenges and opportunities which propelled the life of Professor John Oamen Igene on his journey of life, love of family and sacrifice are clearly set forth in this book.
The Author
Born at Afuda Uwessan, Esan Central LGA of Edo State, Nigeria on 27th March, 1948, Distinguished Prof. J.O. Igene grew up in an environment where he was denied early primary school education.
A Fellow and a Past National President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (FNIFST); he holds a B.Sc. Hons. (Ibadan), M.Sc. and PhD (Michigan State) all by academic scholarships and has been a full Professor of Food Science and Technology since 1987. He has had working experience at the Universities of Maiduguri (1979-1993) and Benin (1993 – date) all in Nigeria. He is the 1st Distinguished Professor of Research and Innovation of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
As a creative individual, he developed the first undergraduate degree programme in Food Science and Technology in Northern Nigeria in 1981. He has held various positions in Unimaid and Uniben such as Head of Department, Dean, Director etc He pioneered the Uniben Enterprises and was its Chairman/CEO (1998-2005) and in the process created the Uniben Table Water, as well as the Kilishi Project and was the Visionary Pioneer of the Faculty of Agriculture Multipurpose Cooperative Society as well as managing the University Guest House and the Printing Press.
Distinguished Professor Igene is a multiple prize winner and was a Pfizer Travel Fellow 1981, Senior Fulbright Scholar 1983; Association of Commonwealth Universities Fellow to the University of Agriculture, Malaysia (1989); National Facilitator/Consultant to the FGN/FAO National Programme on Food Security (NPFS) 2008-2010 and Visiting Professor/Consultant to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) 2015-2018. He has Consulted extensively for National and International Organizations (UNICEF, FAO, FMI, NILS, RMRDC, UNDP) on Food Science and Technology and Agricultural related matters.
He is happily married with children and grand children and was a Past President of the Ugbowo Chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International ( FGBMFI) 2011-2015.