Tor Iorapuu: Profile of the erudite professor appointed as VC of Benue State University 

The appointment of Port Tor Joe Iorapuu as the Vice-Chancellor, Benue State University did not come as a surprise to many people.

Those who had sat under his tutelage in the Theatre Arts Department in the University of Jos would attest to the fact that Iorapuu is many things rolled into one.

Like Semaka once wrote about this new head of the state-owned university:

Professor Tor Iorapuu is a man of humble beginning who has grown so mightily. This erudite professor of Theatre Arts from the University of Jos has made his indelible imprints in the academia and the social society struggle.

The Professor who hails from Aliade in Benue state began his tertiary education at the College of Education Katsina-Ala in Benue state where he was renowned for his high interest in theatre for development (Tfd).

He thereafter proceeded to the prestigious University of Jos for his tertiary education.

Giving an insight into his humble beginning, the erudite scholar had said that his interest in the academia was spurred by the determination of his mother for him to get formal education. Like a torch that was lit by the persistence of his mother , Iorapuu took up the advice of his mother and made his interest in education a top priority. The result of this interest today is that he is a Professor of repute.

The young Professor who is quick to admitting that his mother played a significantly role in his becoming a Professor is replicating the gesture as he constantly inspires young scholars who today regard him as a role model. Professor Iorapuu’s charisma span beyond only been a role model to the younger generation. Amongst his contemporaries, he is generally looked up to for leadership.

This was demonstrated openly when he was unanimously elected as the Dean of the faculty of Arts, University of Jos as the only contender for the slot voluntarily stepped down for him.

In stepping down, the contender had announced to the faculty board members who had gathered for the scheduled election, his intention to step down, emphasising that it was borne out of the need to maintain a united Faculty.

Before his election as the Dean of the Faculty, he had successfully served as the Head of Department of Theatre and Film Arts in the same University where he exhibited sterling leadership abilities that eventually lead to his elevation as the dean of the faculty. Being an alumnus of the same university the Professor has dedicated his life and efforts in giving credible service to the University.

Because of his commitment to rendering credible service and influencing change in society beyond curricular requirements, he has provided leadership in the founding and running of Youth, Adolescent, Reflection and Action Centre (YARAC), a youth organisation based in Jos.

Professor Iorapuu also served SONTA in several capacities for over a decade, and at one time was the Editor of SONTA. During his tenure as editor of the SONTA journal which is a selection of papers presented in annual conferences was published without failing. Due to the excellent services rendered he was the winner of the SONTA 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is described as one who is dedicated to eliminating issues of social justice in his community and to inspire the next generation to be passionate and driven to see change. A great scholar of his field: articulate and capable administrator, excellent interpersonal skill, erudite manager.

As someone who is widely acclaimed to be determined to make impact in his endeavours, Prof. Iorapuu said thus while addressing final year students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) during their practical presentations in Production Workshop as the External Examiner at the Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies despite been bereaved.

“I lost my Mum on Sunday but I decided that we must knock this off. I am doing this because I am a professor today because of my mother. I hated going to school; but she will beat me to a point that there was no day we never had a drama or performance just to go to school; and in the process her wrapper will fall off but she insisted I must go to school and did everything humanly possible for me to go to school. Today, she is no more.”

Continuing, “The night she went into coma, that was the night University of Jos Library went on fire and I was there, fighting with students to protect the place till 4am and in the morning of Sunday, I was still getting feedback from home and I said let me go so I can meet her alive. It was then the other floor of the Library started burning. I stayed back to keep pushing on but by noon, I said I must go to see my mother; but as at the time I got there, she had passed on.”

For Professor Tor Iorapuu, living a life that will remain a shining example to all and sundry in Nigeria is a sure way of contributing to national development.

For us , the young at heart, prof Tor Iorapuu remains a rallying point for protégés to look up to; he remains a rallying point for young people and of course a shining model amongst his contemporaries.

At a time our country is in dire need of intellectual and economic kingpins, it is only profitable to look in the direction of prof Tor Iorapuu so as to salvage the dire situation.

With his vault of experience and and strength of character we believe Prof Tor Iorapuu is ripe and can fit into any position of higher responsibility.

Of course and perhaps with the clear demonstration of commitment by president Buhari and his penchant for merit, we continue to be hopeful that the president would in due time find an appropriate place for such brain with high moral advantage and untapped potentials.

In 2019, this proud son of Aliede aspired to govern Benue on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party but he stepped for Ortom in the 11th hour.