Photo source: http://www.facebook.com
Bobwealth Oakina Omontese was born on the 27th of March 1984 in Okalo village, Edo State southern Nigeria, but grew up in Kano State in the country’s northern region. As a youngster Bobwealth became interested in music, and realized that he could use his love for music to assist others. He became a vocal coach as well as a public speaker, counselor, and a music minister.
Bobwealth was inspired by his parents to study hard, set goals, and follow his dreams. He went on to obtain several degrees including a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2009 from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Nigeria, MSc. and PhD in Theriogenology (Veterinary Reproduction) in 2012 and 2015, respectively. He is also concluding a Fellowship diploma (FCVSN) in Theriogenology, in the Surgery specialty of the College of Veterinary Surgeons Nigeria. Bobwealth is married to Carmi and their union is blessed with a baby (Bobwealth Jr.)
Dr. Omontese’s goal is to improve livestock reproduction. His interest in veterinary science arose from his belief that many Nigerians would benefit from more affordable protein in their diets, including meat, milk and eggs. He currently works at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. Dr. Omontese serves as a research fellow and a lecturer in the Artificial Insemination Unit, NAPRI. Dr. Omontese’s research has been published in the South African Journal of Animal Science, Revue Med. Vet., Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, Livestock Research for Rural Development, the Research Journal of Animal Sciences, the Albanian Journal of Agricultural Science, the Research Journal of Poultry Sciences, and the Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Science. He loves research, teaching, working with his students, meeting people, and to travel.
In 2015, Dr. Bobwealth was able to combine many of his interests when he was selected as one of 40 Nigerians to spend six weeks in the USA as a Mandela Washington Fellow. The Fellows program is quite an honor. Approximately 80,000 applied in the program’s first two years, but only 500 were selected each year in 2014 and 2015. Fellows are hosted by one of 20 US institutions of higher education. Dr. Bobwealth spent his time in the USA as one of 25 Fellows hosted by Syracuse University in New York. While in the USA, he had the opportunity to receive training in public management at the prestigious Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, at Syracuse University, NY.
In addition, he visited the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and a number of beef and dairy cattle farms where reproductive biotechnologies were adopted to maximize reproductive performance of livestock in New York. Importantly, Bobwealth was hosted by the largest artificial insemination facility in the US, Select Sires Inc. located in Plain City near Columbus Ohio where he took a tour of the facility and was able to speak firsthand with leading scientists and researchers in reproductive biotechnology. He ended his stay in the US with a Presidential Summit alongside other Mandela Washington Fellows with President Barack Obama in Washington DC.
Dr. Omontese continues to dream and to follow those dreams. Upon completion of the Fellows program, Dr. Omontese seeks to gain additional training through a post-doctoral program at an institution that has a strong veterinary sciences program and to create a non-governmental organization that is dedicated to supporting rural women and youths with genetically improved and healthier livestock, and, encourage the adoption of assisted reproductive biotechnologies including oestrus synchronization, artificial insemination and embryo transfer in animal production. Dr. Omontese already offers consultancy services related to his area of expertise to private and institutional livestock farms in Nigeria.
Based on the literature on international development and personal success, why has Dr. Bobwealth Oakina Omontese been so successful?
Some key characteristics come to mind:
Dr. Bobwealth Omontese has obtained the SPECIALIZED TRAINING that he needs to carry out his plans to advance people’s lives through improved livestock.
Dr. Bobwealth Omontese has a PASSION for his work and a STRONG DESIRE to assist others.
Dr. Bobwealth Omontese continues to INSPIRE his students to take advantage of the immense potentials that livestock production provides.
Dr. Bobwealth Omontese continues to MENTOR and ENCOURAGE teenagers/youths to take up studies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education).
african development successes 
Always inspiring to read about someone who is so dedicated and has such worthy goals.
LikeLike
I was astonished by his multiple endeavor to live up his dream. Anyone can achieve his goal if he’s determined and sticked tightly on it. Just go ahead!
LikeLike
Dr Bob, congratulations… .. .! Your achievements are unique and in quick succession, you are worth a mentor and a great source of inspiration to the younger generation. Well done sir.
LikeLike