Professor Joseph Balogun Elected into the Nigerian Academy of Science
Professor Joseph Balogun Added Feathers into His Cap with a FAS Award and a Distinguished Guest Lecture Presentation
The Reiz Continental Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria on the morning of May 11, 2017, was full of pomp, pageantry, and circumstance as nine distinguished scientists from the physical, biological and health disciplines were conferred with the Fellowship of the Academy of Science (FAS). The President of Nigeria, Mohammad Buhari was represented at the induction ceremony by the Federal Minister for Health, Professor Isaac Adewole; himself a 2011 recipient of the Fellowship.
The Nigerian Academy of Science was established in 1977 and is the foremost independent scientific body in Nigeria with 221 Fellows, elected through a highly rigorous competitive review process to select distinguished scholars in their disciplines both locally and internationally. Some of the Academy members have served as Vice-Chancellors of universities, Director-Generals of government parastatals, and Ministers in federal ministries.
Among the nine FAS recipient this year, is our mentor Dr. Joseph Balogun, Distinguished University Professor at Chicago State University. Professor Balogun is the first physiotherapist to be inducted into this club of eminent and elite scientists and he shares this honor with all physiotherapists in Nigeria and those in Diaspora. He was honored by the Nigerian Academy of Science for his significant contribution to knowledge in physical therapy, ergonomics, and HIV behavioral research. He has published 5 books/monographs, 9 book chapters, 21 abstracts and over 120 full manuscripts in peer-refereed journals; as well as presented his research at over 60 scientific and professional conferences all over the world. In 2003, he was awarded the prestigious J. Warren Perry Distinguished Author’s Award by the Journal of Allied Health; and in 1992 he received the flagship research Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM). Subsequently in 2015, Professor Balogun received the prestigious Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (FNSP), topping that in 2017 with the renowned Fellow of the Academy of Science (FAS). According to Researchgate®, his research output ranks in the 90th percentile of his peer scientists globally. Professor Balogun currently serves on the Editorial Board of several reputable scientific journals around the world. He is listed in the International Who’s Who of Intellectuals®, Outstanding People of the 20th Century®, Who’s Who in America®, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, and Who’s Who in the World®.
The memorable and solemn occasion was witnessed by more than 20 previous recipients of the FAS award, invited guests from all walks of life, Professor Balogun’s nuclear family (Dr. Adetutu Balogun and Omotola Balogun), and extended families in Nigeria. Representatives of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy led by the President, Dr. Ahmad Rufai, were in attendance to felicitate with Professor Balogun.
Professor Balogun capped his visit to Nigeria by delivering the Second Distinguished Guest Lecture of the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo City, Nigeria, on May 15, 2017. His lecture was titled: "The Case for a Paradigm Shift in the Education of Healthcare Professionals in Nigeria." Professor Balogun’s newly published book, Echoes, was formally launched on this occasion. Over 20 physiotherapists from all over the country converge at Ondo to witness this occasion.
