Name
Prof. Austine I. Obiekezie
DepartmentInstitute of Oceanography
DesignationProfessor
EmailAbout Prof. Austine I. Obiekezie
Austin Ikechukwu Obiekezie is a Professor of Aquatic Pathobiology specializing in tropical aquaculture pathology. Prof. Obiekezie is a staff of the Institute of Oceanography and has held several distinguished service positions in the University of Calabar Including Head of Department for Biological Oceanography; Fisheries and Aquaculture; Director, Institute of Oceanography (2007-2011); Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) (2011-2015) and currently serving as the Director, Research and Quality Assurance. He obtained his Bachelor of Science, B.Sc. (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1978 and a Ph.D. in Aquatic Pathobiology from the University of Calabar in 1983. In addition, Prof. Obiekezie concluded Post-Doctoral research in the Institut fur Meereskunde, Kiel and the Ruhr Universität, Bochum all in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Prof. Obiekezie is three-time winner of the International Foundation for Science (IFS) Research grant totaling over US$ 30,000 for research in tropical aquaculture diseases. He participated in the planning and execution of the project on Aquaculture Development in the Oil Palm Belt of Nigeria funded by the European Community to the tune of US$100 million in 1985. He was a winner of the 2001 IFS/DANIDA Award for Excellence in Research in Tropical Aquatic Living Resources and is a Scientific Adviser to the International Foundation for Science (IFS). He has supervised over 30 PGD, M.Sc. and Ph.D. candidates and is external examiner and assessor for several Universities including University of Nigeria, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Federal University of Technology, Akure among others. His major research focus is on the pathology of aquatic organisms and related environmental influences. With extensive experience in environmental assessment and management in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, he has authored over 100 Environmental Evaluation (EA) documents for the oil and related industries. In this respect, he served as Environmental Adviser/Consultant (Major Projects) to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in which capacity he developed a framework for the conduct of Cumulative Environment Impact Assessment (CEIA) in Nigeria. He edited the Biodiversity Sector Report for the NDDC Niger Delta Development Master Plan.
Prof. Obiekezie is a member of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) and the European Association of Fish Pathologists (EAFP). He is a convener of the West African Fish Pathology Network (WAFPN), an initiative that is currently on-going. Prof. Obiekezie is widely published in national and international journal and other media on issues dealing with aquaculture pathology and the environment.
| S/N | Qualification | School Atttended | Started | Finished |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West African School Certificate (Division 1) | Bubendorff Memorail Grammar School, Adazi-Nnukwu | 1970 | 1973 delete_forever | |
| Bachelor of Science, B.Sc (Honours), Zoology | University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) | 1974 | 1978 delete_forever | |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), Aquatic Pathobiology | University of Calabar, Calabar | 1978 | 1983 delete_forever | |
| Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Fish Pathology | Ruhr Universitat, Bochum, Federal Republic of Germany | 1991 | 1993 delete_forever |
| S/N | Publication |
|---|---|
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Enyenihi, U.K. (1988), Henneguya chrysichthyi sp. nov. (Protozoa, Myxozoa) from the gills of the estuarine catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacepede) in the Cross River Estuary, Nigeria. J. Afr. Zool., 102, 33-42. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Ekanem, D.A. (1994). Experimental evaluation of the pathogenicity of Trichodina maritinkae (Ciliophora, Peritrichida) to fry of Heterobranchus longifilis. International Workshop on the Biology and Aquaculture of the Siluriformes (BASIL). 24th-29th June, 1994, Montpellier, France. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. (1987), Philometra (Ranjhinema) beninensis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Philometridae) from the giant African threadfin, Polydactylus quadrifiliis Cuvier, 1829 (Teleostei, Polynemidae), Rev. Zool. afr. 100, 357-361. | |
| Osuigwe, D.I., A.I. Obiekezie, and G.C. Onuoha. (2005). Some haematological changes in hybrid catfish (Heterobranchus longifilis x Clarias gariepinus) fed different dietary levels of raw and boiled jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) seed meal. African Journal of Biotechnology 4 (9), 1017-1021 | |
| Okaeme, A.N, B.E. Olufemi, and A.I. Obiekezie. (2001). Parasites and non-fish predators of tilapia with particular reference to the sustainable management of fisheries of Lake Kainji. KLRI Annual Report 2001, pp 145-151 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I., Okaeme, A.N., Lehman, J., and Antai, E.E. (1985). Infections and diseases of cultured fish in Kainji Lake Research Institute. KLRI Ann. Rep. 1985, 91-95 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Holzlohner, S. (1995). Off-flavours in culturable Sciaenidae infected with Kudoa (Myxosporea) spores. (Ext. Abstr.) European Aquaculture Society Conference, Trondheim, Norway, 9-15 August, 1995 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. (1987), Protomicrocotyle ivoriensis Wahl, 1972 and Micrococtyle oronensis sp. nov., Polyopisthocotylean parasites of fish in the Cross River Estuary, Nigeria. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 1/2 218, 75-81. | |
| Obiekezie A. I. (2000) “Poverty Alleviation through Fisheries Production, The way Forward”. Proceedings of the 14th Annual Farming Systems Research and Extension workshop in Southeastern Nigeria. Edited by Enyinnia, NRCRI, Umudike, Nigeria. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. (1986), Goussia ethmalotis n. sp. (Apicomplexa, Sporozoea), a coccidian parasite of the West African shad, Ethmalosa fimbriata Bowdich, 1825 (Pisces, Clupeidae). Zeitschrift f. Parasitenkd. Parasitology Research, 72, 827-829. | |
| Osuigwe, D.I., VDC Okoro, GS Adaka, AI Obiekezie, and JO Ogunji (2011). The Parasites of Cultured and Feral Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Umudike, Nigeria. Tropentag 2011 Development on the Margin, October 5-7, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany | |
| Okaeme, A.N., Obiekezie, A.I., Okojie, P. & Agbontale, J. (1989). Histopathology of normal and infected organs of tilapia by Myxobolus ovariae. NIFFR Ann Rep. [1989], 37-40. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. & Anders, K. (1991), Scanning electron microscope studies on Philometra (Ranjhinema) beninensis Obiekezie, 1986. Folia Parasitologica, 38(4), 371-375. | |
| Okaeme, A.N., Obiekezie, A.I., Lehman, J., Antai, E.E.E & Madu, C.T. (1988).Parasites and diseases of cultured fish of the Kainji Lake Area, Nigeria. Journal of Fish Biology, 32, 479-481 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Ekanem, D.A. (1995). Experimental infection of Heterobranchus longifilis with Trichodina maritinkae (Ciliophora, Peritrichida). Aquatic Living Resources, 8(4), 439-443 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. & Taege, M. (1990), Recommendations on aquaculture development in the Okwangwo Division of the Cross River National Park. A World-Wide Fund for Nature Publication. 43 p. | |
| Osuigwe, D.I. and A.I. Obiekezie. (2007). Assessment of the growth performance and feed utilization of fingering Heterobranchus longifilis fed raw and boiled jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) seed meal as fish meal substitute. Journal of Fisheries International 2 (1), 37-41 | |
| Osuigwe, D.I. and Obiekezie, A.I. (2003). Effects of jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC) seed meal containing diets on the intestinal mucosa of juvenile Heterobranchus longifilis (Valenciennes 1840). In, Agriculture, the Bedrock of Enduring Democracy. 37th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, University of Calabar, Nigeria. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I., Möller, H. and Anders, K. (1988), Diseases of the African estuarine catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacepede) from the Cross River Estuary, Nigeria. Journal of Fish Biology, 32, 207-221. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Schmahl, G. (1993). Myxosporean pathogens of early catfish stages, Ultrastructural aspects. 6th Annual Conference of the European Ass. Fish Pathol., Brest, France. | |
| Eyo, V.O., Ekanem, A.P. and Obiekezie, A.I. (2012). A comparative study of the egg and sperm quality of Clarias gariepinus fed Unical Aqua Feed and Coppens Commercial Feed. Internatl. J. of Biol., Pharm., and Allied Sci. (IJBPAS). 1(11), 1598-1607. | |
| Okaeme, A.N., Obiekezie, A.I. and Ogbendeminu. F.S (1986), Economic impact of disease and parasite problems in freshwater fish production. FISON PROCEEDINGS (86), 368-376. | |
| Ekanem, A.P. and A.I. Obiekezie. (2000). Antiparasitic effects of leaf extract of Piper guineense (Husaini) on the juvenile of Heterobranchus longifilis (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Afr J Fishers Aquacult 8, 74 | |
| Schmahl. G., Obiekezie, A.I. and Raether, W. (1993), Treatment of fish parasites, 11. Morphogenesis of Henneguya laterocapsulata Landsberg, 1987 (Myxosporea, Myxozoa), and the effects of a new triazine derivative, HOE 092 V, on its developmental stages, A light and electron microscope study. Parasitology Research, 79, 667-674. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I., Anders, K., Lick, R., Moller, H., & Palm, H. (1992). External lesions and flesh parasites of commercial fishes of Nigerian inshore waters. Aquatic Living Resources 5, 173-183. | |
| Palm, H., Obiekezie, A.I. and Moller, H. (1994), Trypanorhynchid cestodes of commercial inshore fishes of the West African coast. Aquatic Living Resources, 7,153-164. | |
| Osuigwe, D.I., Obiekezie, A.I. and Ogunji, J.O. (2003). Haematological effects of using jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC) seed meal as alternative protein source for Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822). In, Technological and Institutional Innovations for Sustainable Rural Development. Deutscher Tropentag, October 8-10, 2003, Gottingen. (www.tropentag.de/proceedings/html/node 162). | |
| Obiekezie, A. I. (1988), Some species of Diplectanum Diesing, 1858 (Monogenea, Monopisthocotylea), parasites of sciaenid fishes from the Nigerian coast. Journal of African Zoology, 102, 133-141 | |
| Osuigwe,D.I., A.I. Obiekezie, and G.C. Onuoha. (2006). Effects of jackbean seed meal on the intestinal mucosa of juvenile Heterobranchus longifilis. African Journal of Biotechnology 5 (13) | |
| Ekanem, A.P., A.I. Obiekezie, and E.X. Ntia (2015). Non-Chemical-Based Natural Products in the Treatment and Control of Fish Diseases World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. Vol 2 (3) | |
| Ndome, C.B. and A.I. Obiekezie. (2009).The daily weight gain, growth rate and length-weight relationships of Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus longifilis and their reciprocal hybrids (Pisces, Clariidae) reared under ambient environmental conditions. Tropical Freshwater Biology,18 (2), 53-66 | |
| Ekanem, A.P, M. Wang, J.E Simon, A.I Obiekeze, and F. Morah (2004), In vivo and in vitro activities of the seed extract of Piper guineensis Schum. and Thonn against skin and gill monogenean parasites of goldfish, (Carassius auratus auratus). Phytotherapy Research, 18. 793-797. | |
| Enyenihi, U.K., Adeyemi-Wilson, O.A., Obiekezie, A.I. (1989), Ecological parameters of the mangrove swamp forest of the Cross River State - Baseline Study. Proceedings of the IV International Conference on the Petroleum Industry and the Nigerian Environment, Owerri, August, 1987. 228-239. | |
| Okon, E.D. and Obiekezie, A.I. (1980). A survey of blood parasites of trade cattle in Calabar, Cross River State. Nig. J. Parasitol., 1(1), 116-119. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I., Möller, H., & Anders, K. (1987), Kudoa sp. infection in the musculature of wild tongue sole, Cynoglossus senegalensis (Kaup, 1858) from the coast of West Africa. Bull Eur. Ass. Fish Pathol., 7, 38-41. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Okaeme, A.N. (1987), Myxobilatus accessobranchialis n.sp. (Protozoa, Myxozoa) from the accessory breathing organs of cultured Heterobranchus bidorsalis Saint-Hilaire, 1809. Arch. Protistenkd., 134, 409-414. | |
| Eyo, J.E., F.O. Iyaji, and A.I. Obiekezie (2013). Parasitic infestation of Synodontis batensoda (Rüppell, 1832, Siluriformes, Mochokidae) at Rivers Niger-Benue Confluence, Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology 12 (20), 3029-3039 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I., Lick, R., Kerstan, S. & Moller, H. (1992), Larval nematodes in stomach wall granulomas of smelt, Osmerus eperlanus (L) from the German North Sea Coast. Dis. Aquat. Org., 12, 177-183. | |
| Ekanem, A.P. and A.I. Obiekezie. (2000). Antiparasitic effects of Piper guineense (Husaini) on the juvenile of Heterobranchus longifilis (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Afr J Fishers Aquacult 2, 68-74 | |
| Schmahl, G. & Obiekezie, A.I. (1991), Fine structure of spermatogenesis in polyopisthocotylid monogeneans (Protomicrocotyle ivoriensis, Gastrocotyle sp.). Parasitology Research, 77, 115-122. | |
| Okon, E.D. & Obiekezie, A.I. (1990), Parasites of cattle in Obudu Cattle Ranch. Nig. Vet. Journal, 10(2), 1-5. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. (1995), Chemotherapy regimens for diseases management in the nursery phase of African catfishes (Clariidae) (Ext. Abstr.) First African Fisheries Congress (FISA '95), July 31-August, 5, Nairobi, Kenya | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. (1991), The principal pathogens and diseases of cultured fishes in Nigeria (Abstr.). Joint IFS/NRC Workshop "Aquaculture in Africa" Harare, Zimbabwe, 23-27 January, 1991. | |
| Osuigwe, D.I., Obiekezie, A.I. and Ogunji, J.O. (2002). Preliminary evaluation of jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC) seed meal as a substitute for fishmeal in diets for Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822). In, Challenges to Organic Farming and Sustainable Land Use in the Tropics and Subtropics. Duetscher Tropentage, October 9–11, 2002 in Kassel–WitzenHausen.(mars.wiz.uni-Kassel.de/tropentag/proceedings /2002/html/ node 72). | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. & Taege, M. (1991), Mortalities in hatchery-reared fry of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) caused by Gyrodactylus groschafti Ergens, 1973. Bull. Eur. Assoc. Fish Pathol., 11(2), 82-85. | |
| Taege, M. & Obiekezie, A.I. (1989), Aquaculture development in the Support Zone of the proposed Oban National Park. A World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Publication. 58p. | |
| Osuigwe, D.I. and Obiekezie, A.I. (2004). Changes in the haematological parameters of juvenile Claries gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), fed different dietary levels of raw and boiled jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) seed meal. Nigerian Veterinary Journal, 24(2), 19-26. | |
| Okaeme, A.N. & Obiekezie, A.I. (1992), Some emergent disease and management problems of Oreochromis niloticus, Sarotherodon galilaeus and Clarias sp. culture in Nigeria. Bioscience Research Communications 2(2), 153-162. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. (1986). Haematozoa of the tongue sole, Cynoglossus senegalensis (Kaup, 1858) (Teleostei, Cynoglossidae) from the West African Coast. Rev. Zool. afr., 99,225-261. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Okafor, N. (1995), Toxicity of 4 commonly used chemotherapeutic compounds to fry of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell). Aquaculture Research, 26, 441-446 | |
| Okaeme,A.N., PU Okojie, JA Agbontale, A Obiekezie. (1990). Host range of myxospora of fish with particular reference to myxobolus ovariae of the tilapia. National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research Annual Report 1989 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Schmahl, G. (1993), Henneguya laterocapsulata Landsberg, 1987 (Myxosporea, Myxozoa) in cultured hybrid African catfish, Ultrastructure of parasite-host interface. Eur. J. Protistol., 29, 42-45. | |
| Ekanem, A.P., Eyo, V.O., Obiekezie, A.I. Enin, U.I. and Udo, P.J. (2012). A comparative study of the growth performance and food utilization of the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed Unical Aqua Feed and Coppens Commercial Feed. J. Mar. Biol. Oceanogr. 1,2 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Ajah, P.O. (1994), Chemotherapy of macrogyrodactylosis in the culture of the African clariid catfishes (Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus sp.). J. Aqua. Trop., 9, 187-192. | |
| 0biekezie, A.I. & Okaeme, A.N. (1990), Myxosporea (Protozoa) infections of cultured tilapias in Nigeria. J. Afr. Zool., 104, 77-91. | |
| Ekanem, A.P. A. Obiekezie, W,. Kloas and K. Knoff (2004), Effects of crude extracts of Mucina pruriens (Fabaceae) and Carica papaya (Caricacae) against the protozoon fish parasite, Ichtyophthirius multifiliis. Parasitology Research 92, 361-366 | |
| Obiekezie, A.I., Chindah, A. and Braide S.O. (eds) (2004). Biodiversity and Natural Resources Sector Study Report. NDDC Niger Delta Development Masterplan 240 pp | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. , Parasitology of the West African Bonga, Ethmalosa fimbriata Bowdich, 1825 (Teleostei, Clupeidae) in Nigerian inshore waters. J. Afr. Zool., (in press). | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. and Lick, R. (1994). A new species of Kudoa Meglitsch (Myxosporea, Multivalvulida) from the West African tongue sole, Cynoglossus senegalensis (Kaup) (Teleostei, Cynoglossidae). Arch. Protistenkd. 144, 201-205. | |
| Obiekezie, A.I. (1990), Pathogen problems in the large-scale production of fish seed for aquaculture in Nigeria (abstr.). Int. Scientific Conf. on Bacterial Fish Diseases. Inst. of Aquaculture, Univ. of Stirling, 26-29 June, 1990 |
| S/N | Grant | Currency/Amount | Grantor | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Exchange/Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship Grants from the GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht, Germany for Research Exchange/Fellowship in German Universities | USD 15000 | GKSS Forschungszentrum, Geesthacht, Germany | 1985-07-03 | |
| International Foundation for Science (IFS) Grant for research into tropical aquaculture diseases | USD 10400 | International Foundation for Science (IFS) Stockholm, Sweden | 1986-05-14 | |
| International Foundation for Science Renewal Grant for Research in Tropical Aquaculture Diseases (Literature, Laboratory Equipment, Travels) | USD 9400 | International Foundation for Science, Stockholm Sweden | 1989-03-06 | |
| DSE/DAAD (Deutchse Academiche Austausch Dienst) Travel Grant for Workshop on "Promotion of Science Education in Developing Countries" Berlin, December 11-14, 1989 | USD 1500 | DAAD | 1989-12-01 | |
| Centre Technique Agricole (CTA) Travel Grant to attend the European Fisheries Society (EAS) '95 Conference/Aquanor '95 Exhibition in Trondheim, Norway. | USD 2500 | Centre Technique Agricole (CTA), Netherlands | 1995-08-02 | |
| International Foundation for Science (IFS) Second Renewal Grant for Research in Tropical Aquaculture Diseases | USD 10500 | International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden | 1995-10-17 | |
| IFS/DANIDA (Danish International Development Agency) Award for Excellence in Research in Aquatic Living Resources in Africa | USD 2000 | Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) | 2001-08-16 |
| S/N | Conference | Description | Started | Finished |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV International Congress on Parasitology (IOCPA IV). | IV International Congress on Parasitology (IOCPA IV), Toronto, Canada, 1982. Paper presented: Parasites of commercially exploited fishes of the Nigerian east coast. | 1982-08-07 | 1982-08-14 | |
| Ist International Symposium on Ichthyoparasitology. | Ist International Symposium on Ichthyoparasitology, Ceske Budejovice, Czechoslovakia. 1983. Paper presented: Henneguya chrysichthyi: A pathogenic gill parasite of the African estuarine catfish, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacepede). | 1983-08-08 | 1983-08-13 | |
| 7th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Parasitology. | 7th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Parasitology, University of Port Harcourt, 21-24 September, 1983. Paper Presented: Haemeogregarina platesae Lebailly, 1804 on the erythrocytes of the tongue sole: A first report from West African coastal waters. | 1983-09-21 | 1983-09-24 | |
| 8th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Parasitology. | 8th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Parasitology ABU, Zaria, 1987. Paper presented: HIstopathological studies on Rhadinorhynchus atheri (Acanthocephala) infections of the threadfin, Polydactylus quadrifiliis (Polynemidae). | 1987-08-26 | 1987-08-29 | |
| Promotion of Science Education in Agricultural, Forestry, Environmental and veterinary Faculties in Developing Countries. | Promotion of Science Education in Agricultural, Forestry, Environmental and veterinary Faculties in Developing Countries. German Foundation for International Development (DSE), Berlin, 1989. Paper presented: Status of Aquaculture research in South East Nigeria. | 1989-11-23 | 1989-12-01 | |
| Aquaculture in Africa | International Foundation for Science (IFS) Symposium "Aquaculture in Africa", Harare, Zimbabwe, 1991. Paper presented: The principal pathogens and diseases of cultivated fishes in Nigeria. | 1991-01-20 | 1991-01-26 | |
| International Workshop on the Biological Bases for Aquaculture of the Siluriformes (BASIL). | International Workshop on the Biological Bases for Aquaculture of the Siluriformes (BASIL). Montpellier, France, 1994. Paper presented: Experimental evaluation of the pathogenicity of Trichodina maritinkae to fry of cultured African clariid catfishes. | 1994-05-24 | 1994-05-29 |