Lalong, UJ, PLASU VCs, others Showers Encomiums on Prof. Izam.
Crest Hotel in Jos was agog as thanksgiving, reception and presentation of Books in honour of A Reputable and Quintessential Professor Yohana Daniel Izam, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Plateau state University and President of the Nigerian Institute of Building.
The event was more of speeches and Celebration galore.
The Celebrant said the essence of the event is to continue thanking God .
God has helped him to be administrators in other tertiary Institutions,Member of the state executive Council.
Izam said the idea of writing the books is to give back the little experienced we have gathered over the years, younger generations can be mentored by us and can be desired to be greater than us. And I’m proud to mentored alot of younger people,some in the state House of Assembly and some are now Professors and today we have a Governor in Nigeria that was our Student.
Yohana Izam who was born on January 13,1967, in Sade Village of the then Northern Region of Nigeria. His Parents,Daniel Makeri Izam and Tabitha Musa Sarkinyara,his early life and Education were in Villages such as Dass,Alkaleri,Darazo in North Eastern State.
Izam’s interest in education manifested early when he hanged around classrooms until the headmaster of LEA Primary school Alkaleri convinced his parents to enroll him into class one before he turned six.
In 1975,Izam was at the LEA School Chwelnyap Jos,later in 1976 at LEA Rukuba, Binchi and 1977 at LEA Bungha Mangu where he emerged as the best pupil in the 1978 Graduating class.
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.
Professor Izam’s Education and Career .
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 his appointment as the fourth Vice Chancellor of the Plateau state University Bokkos on 1st March 2018, Professor Izam was Professor and Head of Building Department at the University of Jos.
His academic trajectory started in 1990 when in a tender age of 23 and armed with a masters 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 1990, in 2000, he was appointed the Provost of the then College of Arts, Science and remedial studies by the Chief Joshua Dariye’s administration in Plateau state.
His pioneering efforts to the College led to it’s commissioning in 2001 by the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
In show of appreciation,the Host Community, Kurgwi in Quan’Pan LGA through it’s 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.
In addition to teaching,research and community service, Professor Izam served as the pioneer Head of of Estate Management at the University of Jos between 2013 and 2015 and led the Department through a successful resource verification by the National Universities Commission.
At the time he was also Deputy Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences(2012-2015),later Head of Building Department, University of Jos (2015-2018).
Other academics,administrative and community service responsibilities at various times include Chairman of Faculty of Environmental Sciences Strategy Committee on Accreditation of Programmes, Editorial Secretary Journal of Environmental Sciences, Editor in chief Nigerian Journal of Construction Technology and Management,Editor in Chief of the Professional Builder official Journal of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Chairman Departmental strategic planning Committee,External Examiner and visiting Professor to several Universities,member of NUC Accreditation Panel to Building Programmes,advisor on time,cost and quality of numerous Construction projects within and outside the University system.
Professor Izam has to his credit over 60 publications in peer reviewed journals, conferences and workshops. He has also been guest lecturer at numerous local and international fora where he has Presented papers on a wide range of educational,Youth and environmental issues. Professor Izam’s first paper ‘ effects of windstorm on Timber Roofs’ which appeared in the 1992 edition of the prestigious annals of Borno,was a landmark confrontation with the nature and scope of wind related damage to timber roof structures in a semi- arid zone .
The Paper recommended the use of slightly reinforced structural concrete roof eaves which have now become conventional in ornamental forms. His second paper which resolved a major controversy in the local engineering circles was on the ‘categorization of a local aggregate-Bama Gravel-and it’s suitability for concrete’ which appeared in the Kenya based African journal of science and Discovery in 1994. Other publications including a book ( Introduction to Building) firmly established Professor Izam’s roots and contributions in the arena of Construction Technology, Management and Professional Practice.
In 2004,Prof. Izam co-Founded the International Index Network (IIN) an NGO with a focus on promoting research, advocacy and dissemination of inform on nation building. He became the first national coordinator of the organization which boasts of a pan-Nigerian membership across the length and breadth of the Federation.
As part of 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 nation-Wide in 2014 to reawakened 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 Garkiwan Fursum) and Professional Leader,Prof. Izam is also the immediate past President oft he Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) which mentors students, artisans and building graduates preparatory to being licensed as Professionals. He had also served as President of Building Students at the University of Jos (1986), caretaker Chairman Plateau state Students Association at the University of Jos (1985), President Afizere Youth Movement (1995-1998), Member of the Plateau state Rent Tribunal (1997-1990), Secretary General Afizere Cultural and Community Development Association (1991-2001). 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.
Professor Izam is well travelled having visited countries such as Turkey,Israel,Germany,Kenya,France, Switzerland,United Kingdom and Ethiopia. He is Happily Married to Pharmacist Yocy Izam and blessed with three Children. Paul,Shaphan and Samuel.
The former Governor of Plateau state,Rt. Simon Bako Lalong, through the Former SGS,Prof. Danladi Abok Atu said he is proud of Prof Izam,he worked with them and especially as the Vice Chancellor of the Plateau state University,he Brought alot of developments and stabilized the University.
Lalong further stated that Izam put the University on the map of the Universities in Nigeria.
Also speaking,the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya. Said he wondered how Prof. Izam wrote the books due to the hectic nature of Vice Chancellors and because of his hardworking and dedication,he uses night to write which the period he suppose to spend with his family.
Ishaya said Izam is the Staff of the University of Jos and they are proud of him.
The VC pick copies of the Books to be use at the University’s Library.
The Vice Chancellor of the Plateau state University, Prof. Benard Matur flanked by the DVC Admin and the Registrar were all elated with the Celebrant who was the immediate past V.C PLASU said the University will always remain proud of him,they VC equally picked copies of the books for use in the Institution’s library.
Good will messages came from the President and past Presidents of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Members Respresenting Jos East Constituency,Hon. Isah Ajiji,Jos North West Constituency,Hon. Danjuma Azi, Pankshin North. Hon. Gabriel Dewan, Traditional Rulers.
Professors from University of Jos,PLASU and other tertiary Institutions within and outside Plateau state, All commends the Celebrant.
President Afizere Cultural and Community Development Association, Engineer Yakubu Ashom, among others.
The occasion was chaired by Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, Diket Plang.
Dignitaries were entertained with varieties of dishes as well as thrills with famous Izere Asharwa Dancers.
The resources will be chanel to Izam’s Environmental Care Centre a foundation for sponsoring the Education of orphans and less privilege Children.
