KEMBE, Prof Msugh Moses

Born in Binev Council Ward of Tombo Mbalagh in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, Professor Kembe began his educational career at the famous Bristow Secondary School, Gboko in 1974 and graduated in 1979 with the West African Senior School Certificate. He gained admission into the prestigious University of Jos in 1980 and obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Mathematics in 1984. The quest for more knowledge took Professor Kembe to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka between 1990 and 1992 where he diligently pursued his academic dream and earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Statistics specializing in Operations Research. With a great zeal to reach the zenith of his academic pursuit, Professor Kembe again attended the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi from 2006 to 2009 and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Statistics. To sufficiently prepare himself for the management of human and material resources, he again studied and earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from the University of Mkar, Mkar in 2014. Professor Kembe cut his teeth in the teaching profession in Igueben Girls’ Secondary School in the old Bendel State now Edo State during his National Youth Service from 1984 to 1985. Upon completion of his mandatory one year of National Service to his fatherland, Professor Kembe took an appointment as an Assistant Lecturer with the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State where he lectured and rose to the rank of Lecturer I in 1991. Professor Kembe joined the services of the Benue State University, Makurdi in 1993 as a Lecturer II in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Statistics in 2012 following his track record of excellence in scholarship. At the Benue State University, before becoming Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kembe held various administrative positions including Member of Senate, Dean, Faculty of Science, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Science, Head, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Examinations Officer, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and membership of several committees of the University. In all these positions, he offered dedicated and meritorious service to the University community. During his tenure as the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Science, Professor Kembe contributed immensely to the expansion of the Faculty by bringing on board six new academic programmes and students have already been admitted to study these courses. The courses include B.Sc. Statistics, B.Sc. Industrial Chemistry, B.Sc. Environmental Management and Toxicology, B.Sc. Zoology and Environmental Biology, B.Sc. Microbiology and B.Sc. Plant Science and Biotechnology. These courses have already been granted accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The introduction of these academic programmes under the leadership of Professor Kembe propelled the Faculty of Science to an unrivalled position in the University as it marked the first in the recent history of the University that up to six new academic programmes were introduced in one Faculty at the same time. Professor Kembe has many years of research experience as a consultant with local and international organizations. He has consulted for the British Department for International Development (DFID), Benue State Health Systems Fund and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Makurdi. He played an invaluable role on the technical team that competed and won World Bank grant for Benue State University for the establishment of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) specifically devoted to the Control of Post Harvest Losses in the Sub-Saharan African region. This development won accolades for the University considering that out of the ten Universities that won the grant in Nigeria, only Benue State University is owned by a State. Professor Kembe is an astute and versatile scholar who has attended many conferences, seminars and workshops and has published in reputable national and international journals. The new Vice-Chancellor has special interest in operations research which is essentially concerned with optimal allocation of resources and how this can be applied in education, business, industry, commerce, healthcare and many other fields of human endeavour. Professor Kembe has rendered many community services and received many awards from corporate organizations and communities for his enormous positive contributions to humanity. He is a member of several professional organizations and associations including Statistical Association of Nigeria, the Institute of Mediators and Conciliators, Contact Friendship Club 1994, Makurdi, member Makurdi Club 1930 and the immediate past President, Benue State University Senior Staff Club. He is widely traveled and his hobbies include playing tennis, football and listening to cool music. Professor Kembe is a devout Catholic. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus in the Roman Catholic Church. He is happily married to Professor Elizabeth Kembe and the marriage is blessed with four children