Sylvanus John Sodienye Cookey

SYLVANUS JOHN SODIENYE COOKEY

OFR, KSC, Ph.D. (London), Hon. D.Sc. (UPH), Hon. D. Litt. (ANSU), JP ADMINISTRATOR, SCHOLAR, PHILANTROPIST

Born at Opobo in Rivers State on April 9, 1934, he attended Anglican Mission Schools through the special preference of his parents. At Okrika Grammar School he obtained the Cambridge School Certificate in Grade 1 in December 1952. In 1956 he sat and passed the entrance examination to University College, (now University of Ibadan) where he became the President of the Students Union (1958-59). He obtained the B. A. (Hons) in History of the University of London in June 1961, and won a University of Ibadan scholarship to study for the doctorate degree.

Piano & Poems

Testimonials

Photo Gallery

90 Golden Years

SYLVANUS JOHN SODIENYE COOKEY

Apart from his role in the University he has been called upon to render public and philanthropic services in various capacities. During the Civil War he was a Cabinet Member under Col. Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu responsible for coordinating the entire International Relief Aid as Commissioner for Special Duties. In 1990 he was Chairman of the Government-sponsored Rivers State Development Blue-Print Committee whose Report, according to the Military Governor, “made contribution in thought and proposals which will contribute to the development of this State for now and the future”. He also served as member of the Rivers State Advisory Council from 2005 to 2007 and as Chairman of its Peace Committee. Other positions he has held include:

Member, UNDP-GEF (Global Environmental Facility) Mission to Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Mali
Consultant, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity
Trustee, Leonard Cheshire Foundation; and
Member, Board of Centre for Advanced Social Science; (CASS)
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Rivers State University of Science and Technology Endowment Fund.
Chairman, Kenneth Onwuka Dike Centre (KODIC)

UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

In Praise of Scholarship & Service

Celebrating Our 2nd Vice-Chancellor @ 90 Distinguished Professor Sylvanus Joseph Sodienye Cookey

He was President Of the Students Union Of the Premier University of Ibadan He was the 2nd Vice-Chancellor Of the University of Port Harcourt He established the School of Graduate Studies The College of Continuing Education The Faculty of Engineering He established CORDEC The Consulting, Research and Development Company Thus, he laid the foundation for an entrepreneurial university He was the Pro-Chancellor Of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife And his tenure was very remarkable

He schooled in Nigeria and UK And taught in Universities in Nigeria and USA Thus, exposed and experienced Fully baked for Scholarship and Service For Leadership and University Administration Polished and urbane Upright and stately The son of the ancient Opobo Kingdom The scion of the Niger Delta Stood shoulder high A colossus who loomed large Historian per excellence He cracked the nut of the Congo Question He told the Story of King Jaja And earned his stripes and a white eagle feather

We are celebrating SJS Cookey at 90. We are rolling out the royal drums of Opobo. The masquerades of the kingdom will celebrate their son, the nwantam will lead the serenade of scintillating voices of enchanting choruses

Unique UniPort will standstill In the creativity of the CRAB and the Voices of Concert Chorus Shall reverberate And I shall celebrate his leadership Recanting, recalling, remembering in the tradition of our fathers I shall stand on the podium To perform Perigo With piano and poems To celebrate the great son of the Niger Delta In whom we are very proud I shall remind you of his intellectual prowess Of his bountiful harvest Of his legacy of service I shall remind you That the son of a lion Will not drink water!

There are professors And there are Professors Professors with capital P Big masquerades of the clan With foresight and hindsight Our revered SJS Cookey is a Professor with capital P A bridge builder He built enduring bridges of Community Service between town, gown and crown A quintessential public intellectual A well-decorated Academic General Who won several intellectual battles A thoroughbred scholar with indelible footprints On the sands of UniPort We are happy celebrating Him among friends and family Among Old boys of the famous OGS Among Alumni of UniPort Among Alumni of his Alma mater The Premier University The great UI Let us celebrate him The old Port Harcourt boy With unique Garden City music The rich highlife music

Events Holding Outside Uniport

Choral Service

4pm

Sunday 7 2024

St. Nicholas Anglican Church, Aluu.

Community/ Medical Outreach Day

10am

Friday 12 April 2024

Opobo Town

Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's Cathedral & Birthday Reception immediately after

10am

Saturday 13 April 2024

Opobo Town

Commemorative Golf Tournament

10am

Saturday 20 April 2024

Port Harcourt Golf Club

Events Holding @ Uniport

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Public Lecture

April 8, 2024 10am @ Main Auditorium, CBN Centre of Excellence, University of Port Harcourt

Topic: "Prospects of Eradicating Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa"

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April 9, 2024 10am @ Main Auditorium, CBN Centre of Excellence, University of Port Harcourt

Legacy Lecture/Book Presentation /Festschrift & Exhibition [Proceeds dedicated to the proposed Cookey Institute for West African and Diaspora Studies valued at Five Billion Naira only.]

Presentation of Biography Title: "A Torchbearer for all seasons": SJS Cookey and the times by Dianam Peresuo Dianam. BOOK REVIEWER Prof. Elo Amucheazi, Former Pro-Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Anambra State. Public Lecture Title: "Garlands and Encomiums as the Patriarch, Professor Sylvanus John Sodienye Cookey Clocks 90". GUEST LECTURER Ambassador Dr. Godknows B. Igali OON, First Vice President, Academy of International Affairs, Nigeria

Evening of Drama and Festival of Voices

3pm

Wednesday April 10 2024

Main Auditorium, CBN Centre of Excellence, University of Port Harcourt

Prof. Sylvanus John Sodienye COOKEY
NOTES

BA (Hons). Ph.D, university teacher, administrator, born April 9, 1934, Opobo Rivers State; married Gladys Obioha 1963, three sons, one daughter; Education: St Michael's School, Aba, 1940-47, Okrika Grammar School, Port Harcourt, 1948-52, University College (now University of Ibadan). Ibadan. 1956-61, London School of Economics, University of London, 1961-64; Lecturer, University of Lagos, 1964-65; Lec turer, University of Ibadan, 1965-66; Lecturer, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1966-70; Lec turer, University of London, 1970-71; Associate Professor, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 1971-72; Associate Professor, State University of New York, USA, 1972-74; Chairman, Department of African Studies, State University of New York, USA, 1972-74; Professor of History and Chairman, Department of African Studies. Rutgers University. 1974-80; Professor of History, University of Port Harcourt, 1980-82; Dean, School of Humanities, Uniport, 1981-82; Chairman, Board of Uniport Investments Limited; appointed Vice- Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, 1982- 89; First Vice-President, Nigerian-American friendship Society, 1980-81; Chairman. Board of Trustees and Management, Kenneth Onwuka Dike Centre, Awka, Anambra State, since 1988; Publications: Britain and The Congo Question, 1885-1913 (1968), King Jaja of The Niger Delta, 1821-1891 (1974), Nok Studies on African Affairs, 1974-77, co-editor; Hobbies: Golf, tennis, fishing, writing