Engr. (Rear Admiral (rtd)) Emeraku Ijioma was born in Lagos on 14 February, 1957.  He graduated from the University of Ibadan in July 1980 with a degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy (NN). In the course of his career, he attended the University of London, where he obtained a College Diploma and M.Sc in Naval Architecture in 1983. He also obtained a Diploma in Marine Surveying with Accreditation in Mobile Offshore Units from the International Institute of Marine Surveyors, London in 2001. He was elected Member, Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) in 1986 and became a Chattered Engineer in the UK in 1987.  In 1988 he was elected Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and registered with Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) in 1991.  He became Fellow, Royal Institution of Naval Architects in September 2005 and Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers in November 2012.

As a Naval Engineer in Nigerian Navy, he applied himself in various capacities and contributed in the fields of marine engineering, naval architecture and marine surveying. During his tour of duty at the Nigerian Naval Shipyard Port Harcourt he contributed significantly to Nigeria’s maritime sector in areas of ship design, shipbuilding and ship surveys. It is pertinent to state that the successes achieved at the Shipyard under the Command helped to stimulate local shipbuilding efforts in the NN, with the pioneer project being the MV SAUKA LAFIYA, which is a 90 man ferry. It is equally important to note that this was the very first time in the history of NN that a vessel was built from the drawing board. Other shipbuilding achievement of Engr. Ijioma includes the design and construction of 1500 ton crane barge for Tecon Oil Nigeria Limited, a 300 ton Self-Propelled Water Barge and 4 Tugboats for DAEWOO Nigeria Limited. He was also instrumental in the design and construction of 4 flat-top barges, 2 single-ramp barges and 2 double-ramp barges for Shell Development Company Limited and the design and construction of a floating jetty for Grand Hotels, Asaba, to mention a few.

He became the Chief of Naval Engineering (CONE), Naval Headquarters in 2011 with the responsibility of advising Chief of the Naval Staff on Naval Engineering matters and providing the direction for maintenance and repairs of Nigerian Navy ships, training of technical personnel (both officers and ratings).  He midwifed the acquisition of 6 patrol boats, 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels and several other boats.  He was awarded the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on 17 September, 2012.

In retirement Engr. Ijioma has been an active member of Marine Engineers and Naval Architecture division of NSE, mentoring young engineers.  His is Member, College Advisory Board of College of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering Option), Bells University of Technology and also board member of Skill Development and Resource Centre in the University.

SPECIALIZATIONS

• Mechanical and Industrial Engineering