Our Comrade ASURI PRESIDENT
DR NNAMDI ABEL ONUNKA
Comrade (Dr.) Nnamdi Abel Onunka hails from Mbutu Umoko Village in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State. Born and groomed with native intelligence, he is the first male child of a polygamous family of 13 children. It is no surprise therefore that he grew up as a team player who thrives well even in competitive environments.
Educationally, he was groomed at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State; Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Ihie High School Ihie, Nbawsi, Isiala-Ngwa North L.G.A; and S.D.A. Primary School, Umuocha Obingwa L.G.A. – in descending order.
Work Experience
A thorough-bred researcher and academician, he was Head, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Out Station, Nyanya, ABUJA, from 2004 through 2009. He was a Resource Person on the “Building an economically sustainable integrated cassava seed systems in Nigeria (BASICS) on Village seed entrepreneurs” programme. He was a Resource person on the NRCRI Umudike, NDDC Youth empowerment training programme; He was a Resource person on the “Market development in the Niger Delta (MADE) on cassava seed production” programme, as well as being a Resource person on the “West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) project.
He recently finished his sabbatical leave from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Membership of Professional bodies
As an academia, he belongs to two Professional bodies: Soil Science Society of Nigeria and Agricultural Society of Nigeria
Union Activities:
In unionism, he is one of the most experienced and committed ASURites on top of the soil today. He was ASURI Umudike Branch Chairman and National Financial Secretary of ASURI from 1995 to 2002; North Central Coordinator of ASURI from 2003 to 2009. Comrade (Dr.) Onunka was ASURI National Vice-President from the year 2012 through 2019. Today, through the Grace of God, he is the current National President of our great Union, ASURI.
Along the line, he inaugurated the CLTC Port Harcourt branch in 2015; inaugurated Energy Centre Benin in 2018; inaugurated Metallurgical Centre, Onitsha. He was a signatory to ASURI Certificate when it was registered on the 7th of March, 2007. He has served in so many ASURI Committees, the most recent being the Chairman of the ASURI Constitution Review Committee which was set up by the immediate past President of ASURI, Comrade (Dr.) Adebayo Ajala, at the NEC meeting of ASURI at Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja, on August 22, 2019.
Community Service
Certificate of Meritorious Service, Ngwa family Meeting Umudike;
Current President Ngwa family Meeting Umudike;
Current President, Mbutu Umuoko Development Association;
Coordinator, Mbutu Umuoko Electricity Project; and
Member of the Governing Board, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Abuja.
Christian Life
Dr. Onunka is a Christian of the Anglican Denomination. He belongs to the Gideons’ International, Umuahia Camp. Leader, Saint John’s Group, All Saints Chapel, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State Nigeria. He is married to his lovely wife, Dr. (Mrs) B.N. Onunka, who is also an academic and they are both blessed with five children to the glory of God.
Today, Dr. Nnamdi Abel Onunka works as a Director in the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division of National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike. He has several scientific journals publications both local and international to his credit.
It is of note that what Dr. Onunka lacks in physical height, he possesses abundantly in integrity, trustworthiness and fear of God. He is a man of his words.