Benue State University (BSU): Meet the New VC-Prof. Tor Iorapuu: Meet the New VC of BSU Prof Tor Iorapuu
Compiled By Terzungwe Qua-Aondo
Benue State University (BSU): Meet the New VC-Prof. Tor Iorapuu: Prof Tor Joe Iorapuu is an erudite scholar and a distinguished Professor of Theatre and Transformative Change of the University of Jos.
Born on 1st August 1962 at Aliade, Benue State, Prof Tor Iorapuu attended Government Secondary School, Katsina Ala where he finished in 1980. He had a quick stint at the College of Education Katsina Ala for a certificate in education before proceeding to the famous University of Jos where he graduated at the top of the class in the Department of Theatre and Film Arts with a second class upper division.
After obtaining a merit degree and demonstrating stellar performance, Prof Tor Iorapuu was retained as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Jos on Dec. 15 1989. He undertook and completed a master’s degree in Theatre Directing in 1991 in the same department. As a scholar of great promise and splitting time for teaching, he pursued a spirited research and received a PhD in Theatre Arts in 2004.
Prof Tor Iorapuu has had a distinguished career and has solidified his pedigree as a great academic of repute. He has held and discharged his duties meritoriously in various capacities at the university of Jos.
Prof Tor’s eventful varsity career culminated in his assumption of a professorial seat in 2011 at the age of 48. This promotion was in recognition of his hard work and productive research. Over the course of his career, Prof Tor has contributed over 30 peer-reviewed articles to learned academic journals, over 10 books chapters and several monographs. He has several creative works to his credit some of which are “April 1421” published in 2007 and “The Ambulance is Ready” which is still in the press. He has attended over 60 international and local conferences both in Nigeria and abroad.
Prof Tor Iorapuu has held various positions both within and outside the university which are too numerous to mention. Among other positions held previously, he served two terms as Head Department of Theatre and Film Arts from 2011-2014 and two terms as Dean Faculty of Arts 2014–2019. Prof Tor Iorapuu was until his appointment as VC the Internal Member, Senate Representative on the Governing Council of the University of Jos.
Prof Tor Iorapuu has had a track record of community service. His Non-Govermental Organsation YARAC which he founded in 1999 has spearheaded a great many community outreaches across Plateau, Benue State and elsewhere. Prof Tor has remained an active citizen and community mobilizer. His personal scholarship scheme in the University of Jos has benefitted about 14 indigent students since he floated it in 2007.
Prof Tor is a devout Catholic and a Knight of St Mulumba. He has retained the membership of several professional organisations some of which are:
- Fellow society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA)
- Ex-Officio Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists
- Member, African Literature Association (ALA )
- Member, Nigerian Participatory Research Network (NIPRANET)
- Member, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Practioners (NANTAP)
- Member, Governing Council Popular Theatre Alliance, (NPTA)
- Member Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA) Plateau State Chapter
8.Member, Indo-Nigerian Film Association, New Delhi, India.
- Etc
As a scholar and researcher, Prof Tor Iorapuu has scholastic interest in certain areas some of which include:
- Applied and Social Theatre
- Development Communication
- Theatre and Film Directing/Playwriting
- Popular Education and community Organising
- Choreography and Dance
- Theatre for Development (TFD)
Prof Tor Iorapuu is well travelled and over the course of his university career spanning over 30 years, he has travelled to well over 20 countries of the world including the UK, Germany, India, The United States of America etc. He is well exposed and has a cosmopolitan outlook and is set with all the arsenals of a paradigm shifter to take BSU to its lofty heights as a modern citadel of learning and an epicentre of excellence. He is gloriously married with four lovely children.
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you a scholar-extraordinaire, teacher, Professor, tutor, writer, thespian, playwright, researcher, team-player, author, activist, social crusader, servant-leader, community mobilizer, humanist and the just-minted and brand new Vice Chancellor of Benue State University Professor Tor Iorapuu