Professor Sylvanus J S Cookey, the 2nd Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, is one of the founding fathers of the University. He is also one of the great benefactors to the University. Prof. Cookey is a historian but he has endowed a Chair at the University to promote teaching and research in Malaria and Phytomedicine.
Prof S J S Cookey signed an MOU, endowing a Chair at the University, to be known as the‘Sylvanus J S Cookey Professor of Malaria Studies’ in October, 2013 and the Chair was inaugurated in April, 2014. This is the very first dedicated event at which a Chair of Malaria Studies was inaugurated in the country. The first Malaria Chair Occupant, Prof Omotayo Ebong is a professor of Malaria studies. The aim of the Chair is to contribute to the control and elimination of Malaria in Niger Delta with a focus in the next three (3) years to:- define molecular epidemiology of malaria specie in the Niger Delta
- to evaluate the molecular resistance markers of anti-malarias particularly Artemisinin Combine Therapies (ACTs) in Port Harcourt and Niger Delta
Prof. A. Ajienka , the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt congratulatingProf. Sylvanus J S Cookey on the endowment of the Malaria Chair
Prof S J S Cookey was celebrated and honored by the University community on the World Malaria Day, 25th April, 2014, as he had just clocked 80 years old.. His personal achievements were outlined and his contribution to academia and other spheres of life were also outlined for friends and well wishers to celebrate.