Prof. Bernice Nwakaego Ezeilo (nee Onuzulike)
(GRAND MATRON, NANKA STUDENTS UNION)
Bernice Nwakaego Ezeilo Nee Onuzulike form Nanka in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State is a Professor of Clinical Psychology. She is the first Ph.D in Psychology produced from a Nigerian University, University of Nigeria Nsukka. She is also the first female African Professor of Clinical Psychology.
Qualification:
She is a Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society , 1989. She obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1984; a Licentiate in Clinical Psychology from the Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists in 1979. She obtained a Registered Nurse Certificate of the British Nursing Association in 1965.
Education:
Prof. Bernice Ezeilo was a pioneer student of B.Sc Psychology degree and M.A Psychology degree programmes at the University of Zambia, Lusaka and graduated in 1971 and 1975 respectively. She did her Nurse training 1961-1964 at the School of Nursing University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria. Her secondary education was at St. Catharines, Nkwerre, 1956 – 1960 and obtained a Grade 1 Certificate of WAEC.
Professional Experience:
Professor Bernice Ezeilo joined the Department of Psychology UNN in October 1975 as Assistant Lecturer and rose to the rank of Professor of Clinical Psychology and Coordinator of, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology Program in 1989. She was twice Head of Department of psychology. From 1992 – 2000. Bernice Ezeilo was a part time Psychology Lecturer in the Department of Theology and Religion of St. Paul’s University College Awka. Bernice Ezeilo taught in the Department of Psychology at Ebonyi State University Abakaliki from 2004 -2011, first as a sabbatical staff 2004-2005, then as Adjunct Professor 2005 -2008, then as Contract Professor from 2008 – 2011 . In 2012, she was appointed as Contract Professor in the Department of Psychology Anambra State University, Igbariam, where she teaches to date.
Publications:
Bernice Ezeilo has several empirical papers, published in both local and international journals, and book chapters in Nigeria and foreign books. Her publications include the books Family Stress Management , Principle of Psychology ,Nigeria Perspective and Sex Preselection. She was the founder and Director Centre of Psychological Services(CEPSER). Bernice Ezeilo was a WHO Consultant on the Integrated Management Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) ,Clinical Stimulation Programme in Nigeria 2003.
Extracurricular activities:
Bernice Ezeilo participates in church and community activities. Bernice Onuzulike, as she was then known, was the foundation Secretary of Nanka Students’ Union in 1957 during her second year as a student of St. Catharines Nkwerre. In August 1998, Nanka Students Union awarded her the titles Adadioranma and Odiukonamba. Later she was appointed the Matron of Nanka Students’ Union. She had been participating in activities of the Union at University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Enugu Branches as well at home in Nanka as Guest of Honour and/Guest Speaker.
Her hobbies include singing: Soprano and Choral during, musical performances on stage, radio and television
Her academic prowess and Professional competence earned her awards from her academic and professional associations, as well as the International Biographical Centre (IBC) Cambridge WHO is WHO awards, She also received Community Service awards from her home community in Nanka .
Prof. Bernice Ezeilo was married to late Prof. Gabriel Ezeilo also of Nanka and is blessed with four children and three grandchildren.
