Donate

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Rural Community Development and Youths Empowerment Foundation (RUCODEV) is a distinguished body of experienced, visionary, and service-driven individuals committed to the Foundation’s mission of wealth creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable community development.

Dr. Sonny Folorunso KUKU, FRCP, FWACP, FAS - Chairman

Dr. Sonny Folorunso Kuku is a Master Physician and Endocrinologist, renowned Scholar and Administrator. He holds several degrees and Fellowships in medicine, including two doctorates. He has been the Joint Chief Medical Director and Co-Chairman at the EKO Hospital (Ekocorp Pic) which he cofounded in 1978.

Dr. Sonny Kuku has also been a Trustee and a Distinguished Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, President and Trustee West African College of Physicians, President of the Pan African diabetes Study Group, and President of the Nigerian NCD Alliance.

He also was Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities and Committee of Chairmen of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, the first African Honorary Fellow of the Colleges of Physicians of South Africa and Glasgow, and holds an Honorary DSc Ed (TAUSED).

Dr. Sonny Folorunso Kuku is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, and was awarded the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) in 2003.  He was Chairman of Ecobank Nigeria, and the Chairman of the Human Capital Policy Commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.  He became the first African Master of the American College of Physicians in 2005, Honorary Life President of the Nigerian Society of Endocrinology, and Honorary Life Patron of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria.

He is Chairman Clina-Lancet Laboratories and Director of Total Health Trust Ltd among others.

A widely cited author (including Who is Who in the World), he holds several traditional titles including the hereditary Olor’ogun of ljebu-ode and the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu. He is the Founder of The Sonny Kuku Foundation.

Professor Akii IBHADODE, FAS, FNSE - Member/Secretary

Professor Akii Ibhadode is a Professor of Manufacturing Engineering and former Shell Professor of Lightweight Automobile Engine Development (2016 – 2020). He is the former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria, from 2015 – 2020. He obtained a B.Sc. (Mechanical Engineering), University of Lagos in 1981, M.Eng. (Production Engineering), University of Benin in 1984, both in Nigeria, and a Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering), University of Birmingham, United Kingdom in 1987.

He has pioneered a number of researches leading to patents and industrial products. He was the winner of the Nigeria Prize for Science (2010) of the Nigerian Academy of Science sponsored by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, and the winner of the Edwin Walker Prize for 1988 of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, United Kingdom. From 2013 to 2020, he mentored student teams which design and build Shell Eco-marathon Competition vehicles. He has supervised over one hundred M.Sc/Ph.D students.

Prof. Ibhadode is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science; Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers; Fellow of the Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria, and Fellow of the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria, a Chartered Engineer of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria; editor and reviewer of a number of journals among which is the International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa published by Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland which he founded in 2009 and is the Editor-in-Chief. He is a visiting professor of automobile development at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria.

He was also a short-term Visiting Professor at the University of Alberta, Canada in July – September 2024. He is a recipient of IEOM Distinguished Professor Award in Manufacturing Engineering of the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.

Engr. Ben ANAGWONYE - Member

Engr. Ben Chinedu Anagwonye is a Chemical Engineer, a writer, an International Business Man and the President of Mindex Publishing Co. Ltd., a company that creates cutting-edge books that connect with the multitasking mindset. He is also the board chairman of Banmec Academy and the president of Timothy Anagwonye Foundation, a charitable organization that offers succour and hope to widows and the less privileged through its annual scholarship and philanthropic outreach programs.

He holds the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, from the University of Lagos and Master in Business Administration degree from the University of Benin, Nigeria.

He is a passionate motivational speaker and is actively involved in empowering the minds of the youths and elderly through various business seminars and conferences. He travels extensively around the world particularly in countries and states of Europe and America respectively. He is a life member and currently a National Director of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International.

He is an author of several bestselling titles and a recipient of several awards amongst which are the University of Benin Alumni Association Pillar of Support Award 2024; the University of Benin Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award 2022; and the prestigious Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) in Oral Public Communication and Leadership 2010.

His commitment to excellence extends in his role as a husband to Mrs. Njideka Anagwonye and father of four wonderful children where he mentors and continues to exemplify compassion and purposeful leadership.

Engr. Okey Chine - Member

Okey Chine was born in March 1959 at Onitsha in Anambra SouthEast State of Nigeria. He attended the Prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha (Oldest Secondary School in the East of the Niger, and proceeded to the Premier University of Ibadan for Computer Science and ultimately Mechanical Engineering.

Okey, often described as a “mentor extraordinaire, a manager par excellence and an astute leader” joined Shell in 1986 with a B.Eng. and M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. He later embarked on a part-time Management higher degree and obtained an M.BA in 1991. A corporate member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Nigerian Society of Engineers(NSE) and American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).

His career spanned over thirty years across a variety of roles in Engineering, Infrastructure, Production Services and Projects/Technical with his last role as Project Safety & Environment Manager, Onshore & Shallow Offshore Projects and Engineering. Okey has led several innovative ideas in Shell including HSE initiatives that won Group-level Shell CEO Awards, including The most recently Project & Technology Performance Excellence Award (HSSE and SP Leadership) in 2016, Shell CEO HSSE & SP Awards in 2014 and Upstream International Impact Award (Hazardous Area Classification Knowledge Intervention Campaign) in 2013 and numerous others.

He also benefited from significant exposures within and outside Nigeria, including assignments, courses, seminars/workshops at Luuwenhorst Noordwijkerout, Schegnegen, Rizwijk, The Hague in Holland/Netherland; Cambridge, Teddington-on-the-Thames, Waterloo London, Southampton, Aberdeen, in the United Kingdom; Corpus-Christi, Houston Texas, Atlanta Georgia, Las-Vegas Nevada, in United States and Vancouver, Toronto Canada, as well as Cameroun & Gamba/Port-Gentile Gabon.

Okey has positively impacted most careers in his discipline and mentored/developed several high performers in the Safety and Environmental aspects of the business and some of these staff have been exported outside SPDC for continued top-quartile contributions. Because of his excellent collaborative skills, P & T HSE has functioned seamlessly well with the In-country HSE teams, as well as other key risk functions (Logistics, OA/QC, Security, Medical. He is an embodiment of the AGPC (Authentic, Growth, Performance & Collaboration) – a hallmark of Shell leadership attributes and vision for a company where everyone will be happy to work/contribute!

A dedicated volunteer and philanthropist towards people’s development to achieve potential, a practicing Christian who has generously given his time, expertise, and financial resources to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the quality of life in his community. A knight of Good Shepherd in the Anglican Communion; providing support for the growth of the church.

He is Married to Dr Ezim Chine (nee Onochie), whom he affectionately calls Zimmy; and a proud father of four (4) children, with gratitude to God!

Okey is an accomplished professional who has opted for an early retirement in 2017 and since then resides in London as a self-employed professional & Consultant. In his own words “I am proud & blessed to have worked in Shell- a great company! Met wonderful & pleasant people, had the opportunity to contribute significantly and retired happily and in good health.” Full of Gratitude to God.

Mr. Josiah Bitrus Habu - Member

Josiah Bitrus Habu, a distinguished biotechnologist and bioenterprises development expert, brings over three decades of experience in scientific research, bioentrepreneurship, and leadership in Nigeria. With an MSc in Biosciences (Cell Biotechnology) from Ahmadu Bello University and a B.Tech in Zoology (Industrial Microbiology) from the Federal University of Technology, Yola. 

Josiah has contributed significantly to national development through various roles in the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). His tenure as Coordinating Director at NABDA’s Bioresources Development Centres (BIODECs) led to a remarkable expansion from 7 to 29 centers nationwide, fostering grassroots bioresources and bioenterprises development. As the Centre Director at BIODEC Odi, he initiated projects to support local farmers and developed protocols for sustainable bioresource management, impacting numerous communities and the nation at large. 

A seasoned researcher, Josiah has co-authored several scientific publications and training manuals on biotechnology and bioenterprises. His work in HIV research, bioethanol production, and indigenous bioresources has earned him multiple awards, including the NABDA DG Merit Award and recognition for youth empowerment. 

A member of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Association of Business Specialists and Entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Josiah continues to advocate for sustainable development and youth empowerment. As a Trustee member of the Community Enterprises and Youth Initiative (RUCODYEF), he is committed to advancing the organization’s mission to drive economic development and create opportunities for the youth in Nigeria.

Barr. Godswill IYOKE - Member

Godswill Iyoha Iyoke is a legal practitioner and member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), with special interest in Public Interest, Development Law, and Legislative Advocacy. He belongs to the NBA Session on Public Interest & Development Law (SPIDEL).

He is a member of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), where he had held branch leadership position and several national offices. He was a member of the 2014 National Conference; and also on the Board of the Africa Kingdom Business Forum (AKBF), a Kingdom-based Christian resource development organization and Head.

A family married man of a wife, father of all-adult biological and adopted children, is a Public Affairs Analyst and development activist. He is passionate about development and a firm believer in the place of systems in development.

Professor Muhammad Dauda - Member

Early Life and Studies

Engr. Prof. Mohammed Dauda was born on 22nd November, 1966 in Potiskum, Yobe state. He studied Mechanical Engineering degree in ABU and graduated in 1987 with a second class upper division honors. Additionally Prof Dauda earned; 

  • M.Sc (Production Engineering), (ABU)
  • M.Sc (Manufacturing Systems), (Cranfield University, UK)
  • PhD (Manufacturing), (University of Hull, UK).

Working Experience

Upon graduation, Prof Dauda did NYSC with the Benue State Public Utilities Board Makurdi (August 1987 – July1988).  He returned to ABU in August 1988 to take up lecturing appointment as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and was eventually promoted to the rank of Professor in 2015. 

Positions Held

Prof Dauda was;

Assistant Dean and Dean of Faculty Engineering (Feb,2015 – Feb 2019), Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Publicity Secretary, CODET, Vice Chairman and Chairman ASUU ABU Zaria Branch. Provost/Vice Chancellor of Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Kaduna. Currently on Sabbatical as the Dean Faculty of Engineering, Kaduna State after completion of his as AFIT Provost on 31 Dec 2023.

Professional services/Honours Societies

MNSE, MNiMechE, MMSN, COREN Reg, 

Fellow of African Society of Engineering Management (FAFRISEM), 

Fellow Association of Natural Science and Engineering (FANSE).

Inventions/Awards

  • PZ Prize for the Best Part II student in Strength of Materials (1985).
  • PTDF:OSS (2002 – 2007).
  • Patent: “Development of Zeolite Y from Kaolin Using Novel Processing Method” Ahmed, A.S, Salahudeen, N.,Bawa, S.G., Waziri, S.M., and Dauda, M. (2014), , Nig. Pat RP: NG/PT/NC/2013/3.

Professor S. MUSTAFA, FAS - Member

Professor S. Mustafa received his first degree B.Eng ( Civil Engineering) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1973, M.Sc ( Water Resources Technology) from University of Birmingham, England in 1976 and PhD ( Civil Engineering) from University of Strathclyde, Scotland, United Kingdom in 1981. 

After serving his NYSC in Lagos he was appointed Asst Lecturer in the Dept. of Civil Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1974. He rose to Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Assistant Dean of Engineering before he was appointed full Professor of Civil Engineering at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi in 1998 where he served as the Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Dean of Engineering. He has served as Special Adviser in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and Director Research and Postgraduate Development at the National Universities Commission. From 1999-2004 he served as Vice- Chancellor at Federal University of Technology, Yola. 

Professor Mustafa has undertaken extensive research works in water resources engineering and has published many papers in national and foreign journals and has published two books, one on Hydrology and Water Resources and the other on Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics. He has served on various Governing Boards of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and currently visiting Professor of Civil Engineering at Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. 

Professor Mustafa is a Fellow of many professional bodies namely, Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers, Fellow Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Fellow Nigerian Association of Hydrological Sciences, Fellow Nigerian Academy of Science, Fellow Academy of Natural Science and Engineering of Nigeria, Fellow Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers and Fellow 

2Solar Energy Society of Nigeria. He was past President of the Nigerian Association of Hydrological Sciences. He is married with four children.

Dr. Festus OKUBOR - Member

Born 12.10.60, by Hon Festus Njodini and Dame Mrs Grace Chinyere Okubor, retired school principal, parliamentarian and Nurse,Community Health Officer, respectively. Graduate of medicine from UNN, Health insurance practitioner, Businessman, Grassroot political practitioner and committed advocate of bottom up developement as model for sustenance National growth and developement. An advocate for for life long learning, he is a 2022 graduate of music with a 1st class from Delta State University, Abraka, and presently a Masters Degree student of music. He is presently The Chief Strategist to The Governor of Delta State, having held several other high offices in Delta State. Married to Barr Mrs Christine Ewere Okubor, Chancellor of the Dioc1033of Ika, Anglican Communion of the Church of Nigeria, they are blessed with four children.

Professor Idowu OLAYINKA, FAS - Member

He obtained a BSc (Geology) from the University of Ibadan; MSc (Geophysics) from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London and PhD (Geophysics) from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. He had postdoctoral experience in Germany first at Technical University Braunschweig as a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Visiting Scholar and at Technical University Berlin as an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow.

A member of the Faculty at the University of Ibadan since April 1988 and Professor effective 1st October 1999. He has successfully supervised 18 Ph.D theses. He served as Visiting Professor, External Examiner and External Assessor for professorial candidates in many universities.  

He has received significant accolades in my professional career including Fellowship of many learned societies.

He was awarded the NMGS/Rt. Hon Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Gold Medal and Plaque and the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) ‘for dedication to teaching and research in Geology and Geophysics, and mentoring’.

He served as the Foundation President of the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA), 2006-2015.  

He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and member of the Council of Association of Commonwealth Universities, London. 

He served as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. He is currently a member of the Council of Adeleke University Ede and he is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Multiverse Mining and Exploration Nigeria PLC.

Mr. Aigbe OLOTU - Member

Aigbe Olotu is First class honours graduate and a Professional Accountant with strong Finance and Accounting, Commercial and General Management experience. He started his working career in Pricewaterhouse (Now PricewaterhouseCoopers) in 1982 from where he joined DHL International Nigeria Limited the global leader in International Express Transport and Logistics services in 1988. For 20 years he served in various management capacities in Nigeria and the other African countries. Retired from the company in 2008 after serving as the Country Leader – Finance for the last ten years

He was re-engaged by PricewaterhouseCoopers in May 2008 as a Principal Consultant in the Performance Improvement unit of the firm as the Finance and Accounting Solution set leader before leaving in November 2011 to join Sahara Group Limited, a leading Nigerian Multinational Energy company as Group Head – Finance. In November 2013 he joined Ikeja Electric PLC (a subsidiary of Sahara Group) as the Chief Finance Officer to midwife the Finance and Accounting functions of this newly privatised enterprise. From January 2017, he has been the Group Head Finance of Sahara Power Group limited with supervisory responsibility for all Power Assets of the Group consisting of one Power distribution and two power generation companies.  Upon retirement Group in 2021, he has been serving as consultant to the Group.

He is a member of the Boards of Ikeja Electric and LAPO Microfinance Bank serving in various board committees, leading the management of the organisations.

He is married with children and grandchildren.

Engr. Mrs. Tobore OLUMOYE - Member

Otobore Olumoye is a personal finance coach with over 15 years banking experience and over five years personal finance coaching experience. She helps individuals and teams set up their financial plans and achieve financial clarity. She is currently the lead consultant of Gray Dots Consulting. 

Educational Qualification:

B.Eng (Chemical Engineering)

Work experience:

Process Engineering

Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited (Process Engineer)

Ecobank Nigeria Limited

Branch operations

Marketing and sales

Branch management

Dr. Omonigho OTANOCHA - Member

Dr. Omonigho Benedict Otanocha is a registered Engineer with 23 years of cognate industrial experience, and 15 years of teaching and competency training practice. Dr. O. B. Otanocha is an academic staff (Associate Processor, Advanced Manufacturing Technology) of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun  (FUPRE), with a Ph. D in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He is a member of the University Council (https://fupre.edu.ng/about-us/) as a University SENATE Representative (2023 – 2027). Omonigho is an Associate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Policy, Strategy, and Leadership Course (PSLC 39). Dr. Otanocha’s skills and interests are in Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Laser-Based Manufacturing); Sustainable Production Systems, Computer-Aided Design/Manufacture (CAD/CAM); Re-manufacture; Mechanical Design/Modeling; Artificial Intelligence; Product; Climate Action Initiatives and Enterprise Development.

Dr. O. B. Otanocha represents FUPRE in various strategic and collaborative ventures; Project Grant holder on “Biogas for Energy and Off-Grid Power” [www.fupre.edu.ng/biogas], funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering UK in conjunction with Anglo American Group Foundation and Global Challenge Research Fund (2018 – 2020). Dr. O. B. Otanocha represents FUPRE on the “Education for Laser-based Manufacturing” (ELbM) consortium [https://elbmmobility.org/federal-university-of-petroleum-resources-fupre-effurun-nigeria/ ].

Omonigho is passionate about research innovation in collaboration with industry, youth empowerment through education and competency training, and sustainable enterprise development. Dr. Otanocha is the substantive Coordinator of the FUPRE team in charge of the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE), Ag. Director – Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), and MD/CEO of FUPRE Energy Solutions (Nig) Limited (Oct. 02, 2018 – till date).

Professor Babs OYENEYIN, FAS - Member

Retired Professor of Petroleum Engineering @ RGU Aberdeen UK (1996-2019) 

  • CEO of a Group of Technology Companies 

❖ I-FLOW ENERGY HOLDINGS – Integrated Energy technology development 

❖ WTL ENERGY LTD-A New Integrated Green Energy Solutions Company 

❖ TRAVITRONIX – Technology Venture Capitalists 

  • His MSc and PhD (1983) are in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. 
  • BEng in Mechanical Engineering from University of Benin (1975) , with over 49 years of integrated industry 

experience (Oil/Gas industry , Academia, Consultancy and Professional Institutes(Energy Institute and IOM3) 

accreditation and membership support Service) . 

  • Head of Petroleum Engineering Department , University of Benin(1987 to 19900) 
  • Senior Research Associate and Well Engineering Project Manager, Heriot-Watt University , Edinburgh UK (1990 – 

1996) 

  • Founder and 2002-2019 Chairman of the Global Joint Industry Sand Management Network 
  • 2011/2012 President of the Mining institute of Scotland 
  • Fellow of The Nigerian Academy of Science 
  • Fellow, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining UK[IOM3] 
  • Enterprise Fellow, Royal Society Edinburgh UK 
  • Director, Centre for Petroleum Information(CPI) NIGERIA 
  • SPE Member plus other professional bodies 
  • Chartered Engineer and COREN Registered Engineer 
  • Bountiful number of technical publications and patents to his credit

Professor Abubakar SAMBO, FAS - Member

Abubakar Sani Sambo, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering (Energy Studies) at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, is the President-Elect of the Nigerian Academy of Science. He is the Chairman of the Nigerian Member Committee of the World Energy Council. He has previously served as Vice-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Vice-Chancellor of Kaduna State University; Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria and Special Adviser to the President on Energy. 

He has a First Class Honours B.Eng degree from A.B.U. Zaria and a D.Phil degree from the University of Sussex (UK) both in Mechanical Engineering. In February 2024 the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University conferred on Prof Sambo the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng Honoris Causa). He has supervised 16 PhD thesis and he is a Fellow of 10 professional associations including the Nigerian Academy of Science, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Energy Institute of the United Kingdom.

He has written numerous articles on renewable energy, energy planning and appropriate technology. After formally retiring from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, the institution honoured him with the highly coveted Professor Emeritus appointment  in April 2024.