A distinguished Parasitologist, Epidemiologist, Medical Entomologist, Teacher, Author & Administrator, Professor Ekanem Braide (Nee Ita) obtained her tertiary education at University of Ife, , Nigeria; Cornell University, New York,; and University of Southampton, UK. Among other academic & professional qualifications, she holds the B.Sc. (Hons.) in Zoology, M.Sc. andPh.D. Parasitology, and a Certificate in Epidemiology. .                                                                                                                                                                                      

Professor Ekanem Braide has served academia and the wider society is many strategic capacities. Principally,she was aLecturer in Biology, Zoology, Parasitology and Epidemiology at the University of Calabar, Nigeria for about three decades — October 1979 to January 2009.

Over the years, she served as a Lecturer in Zoology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Guest Lecturer in Public Health &Applied Parasitology, University of Jos; and Zonal Facilitator, Nigerian Guinea-Worm Eradication Programme.An External Examiner and Assessor to several universities and institutions, Professor Ekanem Braide has a wide and rich research experience in her specialties within and beyond Nigeria. Her research focus is on disease control, especially operational research, impact assessment of interventions, rapid assessment methods in mapping diseases and community initiatives in disease control.

Appointed Vice-Chancellor, Cross River State University of Technology, Calabar in 2004-2009, she also served as the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Lafia in Nassarawa State, 2011-2016.

Professor Ekanem Braide subsequently became the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State. Nigeria from 2016 to 2022; and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Essien Ukpabio Presbyterian Theological College, Itu, Nigeria.

Professor Ekanem Braide has been fulfilling consultancy briefs for quite anumber of government, private and international agencies across the world. They include: UNICEF, WHO, Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO), Federal & State Governments, (Jimmy) Carter Centre USA, Global 2000, and International Labour Organization( ILO).

Author of numerous publications and learned presentations: Fellow & current President, Nigeria Academy of Science; Fellow, Co-Founder and Life Member, Public Health and Parasitology Society of Nigeria (PPSN); to mention a few.

Our accomplished Parasitologist has been recognised nationally and globally for her value-added roles. Included here are:Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR); Mother’s Pride, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria; Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Award for outstanding Dedication and Achievement as Zonal Facilitator Nigeria Guinea-Worm Eradication Programme; Nigerian Chambers of Commerce andCross River State 2000 Millennium Award.   

She was happily married with children to Professor Victor Bowerson-Chase Braide of blessed memory.

Ladies & Gentlemen, we respectfully invite Professor Ekanem Ita-Braide to receive the HLF-Umaru Shehu Life-Time Achievement Award for Consistent Advocacy for Positive Change Within the University System.

Hearty Congratulations, Madam!