{{Short description|Foreign minister of Nigeria}} {{Use British English|date=November 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Viola Adaku Onwuliri | honorific_prefix = Prof. | image = File:Viola Onwuliri crop.jpg | caption = | image_size = | office1 = Pro-Chancellor, Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) | term_start1 = 2015 | term_end1 = Present | office2 = Minister of Education, State-1 | term_start2 = 2014 | term_end2 = 2015 | predecessor2 = Ezenwo Nyesom Wike | successor2 = A. Anwukah | office3 = Minister of Foreign Affairs | term_start3 = 2013 | term_end3 = 2014 | predecessor3 = Olugbenga Ashiru | successor3 = Aminu Bashir Wali | office4 = Minister of Foreign Affairs, State-1 | term_start4 = 2011 | term_end4 = 2013 | spouse = {{marriage|Prof. Celestine Elihe Onwuliri|1978|2012|end=died}} | children = 5 (Ije, Kenn, Emeka, Dan, Toch) | alma_mater = University of Nigeria, Nsukka<br>University of Jos<br>Howard University<br>Harvard University | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|06|18|df=y}} | birth_place = Mbaise | death_date = | death_place = }}
'''Viola Adaku Onwuliri''' {{IPAc-en||audio=Ig-Viola Adaku Onwuliri.ogg}}(born 18 June 1956) is a university professor of Biochemistry and politician who served as Nigeria's Foreign Minister.
==Early life and education== Viola Onwuliri is the first daughter of the Royal Family of His Highness Eze Cletus and Ugoeze Dorathy Oparaoji of Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Imo State, Nigeria<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=National Network Newspaper|url=https://www.nationalnetworkonline.com/|location=Port Harcourt, Nigeria|newspaper=National Network|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref> She was born in Lagos in 1956. She attended Owerri Girls' Secondary School before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where she achieved a 2nd Class Upper (2:1) in Biochemistry.<ref name=":0" /> She later attended the University of Jos where she earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), an MSc in Applied Organic Chemistry, and a PhD in Molecular Biochemistry. Additionally, she completed certificate courses at Howard University and Harvard School of Public Health in the USA.<ref name=cv>[http://www.nigeriaembassy.jp/news/images/110725-Web%20-Viola_StateMinister.pdf Viola Onwuliri CV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123142654/http://www.nigeriaembassy.jp/news/images/110725-Web%20-Viola_StateMinister.pdf |date=23 November 2015 }}, Nigerian Embassy to Japan, Retrieved 10 February 2016</ref>
==Career== [[File:Hillary Rodham Clinton greeted by Olugbenga Ashiru and Viola Onwuliri in Nigeria August 9 , 2012.jpg|left|thumb|Hillary Clinton welcomed by Foreign ministers Olugbenga Ashiru and Viola Onwuliri in 2012]] Viola returned to Nigeria where she took a job as a graduate assistant in 1981; in 2004 she became professor of Biochemistry 2004 at the University of Jos.<ref>{{Cite news |last=III |first=Admin |date=2019-04-20 |title=Viola Onwuliri, Patrick Ekeji: Where are they now? |url=https://blueprint.ng/%ef%bb%bfviola-onwuliri-patrick-ekeji-where-are-they-now/ |location=Abuja, Nigeria|access-date=2023-09-21 |newspaper=Blueprint|language=en-US}}</ref> During the period she and her husband, Celestine Onwuliri, had five children.
In 2004 Onwuliri became the first Nigerian and first African female to be elected member of the Geneva based International AIDS Society (IAS) and became its African regional representative from 2004 till 2008 and was reelected in 2008 for another four years.<ref name=ias2>[https://www.iasociety.org/Who-we-are/Governance/Former-IAS-Governing-Council-Members, IAS Governing members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806122730/https://www.iasociety.org/Who-we-are/Governance/Former-IAS-Governing-Council-Members |date=6 August 2021 }}, International AIDS Society, Retrieved 9 August 2018</ref><ref name=ias>[https://emekaonwuliri.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/professor-viola-onwuliri-is-the-foreign-affairs-minister/ IAS], Retrieved 9 August 2018</ref><ref name=ias3>[http://www.ecudomef.org/2011/06/01/professor-mrs-viola-onwuliri/ Biography]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ECUDOMEF, Retrieved 9 August 2018</ref>
In 2011 she was a candidate to be a deputy governor of Imo state and ran with Gov. Ikedi Ohakim,<ref name=notable>[http://articles.onlinenigeria.com/notable-nigerians/3052-viola-adaku-onwuliri.html#ixzz3zmKR2CcZ Viola Adaku Onwuliri] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708162711/http://articles.onlinenigeria.com/notable-nigerians/3052-viola-adaku-onwuliri.html#ixzz3zmKR2CcZ |date=8 July 2018 }}, Notable Nigerians, OnlineNigeria.com, Retrieved 10 February 2016</ref> after they lost the election she was offered a Cabinet position as Commissioner by the opposing party Governor Rochas Okorocha but she turned it down to the surprise of many.<ref name= charity>[http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/articles-opinions/the-viola-onwuliri-fear-factor-continues-to-hunt-the-governor-of-imo-state The Viola Onwuliri fear factor], 28 February 2014, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref>
She later became a Federal Minister with her own party and made the news when on 17 October 2013 she led the Nigeria delegation to win the seat of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a Global election just two years after leaving the council; this had not been expected to be achieved until much later in around 10 years time.<ref name= unsc1>[http://realnewsmagazine.net/political-briefs/nigeria-wins-un-security-council-seat/ Nigeria Wins UN Security Council Seat], 18 Oct 2013, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref> <ref name= unsc2>[https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/international/un-security-council-needs-nigeria-s-experience-onwuliri/33380.html UN Security Council Needs NIgerias experience- Onwuliri] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810013640/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/international/un-security-council-needs-nigeria-s-experience-onwuliri/33380.html |date=10 August 2017 }}, 2 December 2013, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref><ref name= unsc3>[http://independent.ng/nigeria-in-un-security-council-onwuliri-on-wheel-of-destiny/ UN Security Council- Onwuliri on the wheels of destiny], Independent Newspaper, 3 November 2013, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref><ref name= unsc4>[http://www.newsexpressngr.com/news/detail.php?news=3182&title=Breaking-News-Nigeria-wins-UN-Security-Council-seat?pr=38473&lang=en Nigeria wins United Nations Security Council Seat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810050557/http://www.newsexpressngr.com/news/detail.php?news=3182&title=Breaking-News-Nigeria-wins-UN-Security-Council-seat%3Fpr%3D38473&lang=en |date=10 August 2017 }}, Newsexpressngr, 17 October 2013, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref>
She was also in the spotlight when she called for Libya's ruler, Moammar Gadhafi, to resign stating that the Libyan rebel council best represented the Libyan people.<ref name=voa>[https://www.voanews.com/a/nigeria-recognizes-libya-rebels-128255143/158719.html Nigeria Recognizes Libya Rebels], 22 August 2011, Voice of America, Retrieved 10 February 2016</ref> The same month as Foreign Minister, she visited the scene of the Abuja United Nations bombing which killed over 20 people. She was quoted saying: "This is not an attack on Nigeria but on the global community. An attack on the world."<ref name="BBC1">{{cite news |title=Abuja attack: Car bomb hits Nigeria UN building |author=BBC |author-link=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14677957 |date=26 August 2011 |access-date=10 February 2016 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
Disaster struck with the Dana Air Flight 992 plane crash in June 2012 that killed her husband Celestine Onwuliri and over 150 others. He had been the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).<ref name="unnaloha">[http://www.imostateblog.com/2012/06/04/online-condolence-register-for-late-prof-celestine-onwuliri/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810012641/http://www.imostateblog.com/2012/06/04/online-condolence-register-for-late-prof-celestine-onwuliri/ |date=10 August 2017 }}, Prof Onwuliri Condolence register, Retrieved 9 August 2018</ref><ref name=ksj3>[https://ejaife.wordpress.com/2012/06/09/catholic-knights-mourn-leader-killed-in-dana-air-crash/, Knights Mourn leader Killed in plane crash], 9 June 2012, Dr.Ejaife, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref><ref name=plane>[http://www.imotrumpeta.com/?p=10246 I Still Miss My Late Husband, Says Foreign Affairs Minister, Prof Viola Onwuliri], IMOTrumpet, Retrieved 10 February 2016</ref>
As the wife of the Vice Chancellor of FUTO and the Founder and President of the FUTO Women's Association (FUTOWA) (2006-2011),<ref name=futw2>[http://allafrica.com/stories/200912070241.html , Viola Onwuliri raises NGN10million for FUTOWA projects] 5 December 2009 Retrieved 14 August 2017</ref><ref name=futw>[http://articles.onlinenigeria.com/notable-nigerians/3052-viola-adaku-onwuliri.html , Viola Adaku Onwuliri] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708162711/http://articles.onlinenigeria.com/notable-nigerians/3052-viola-adaku-onwuliri.html |date=8 July 2018 }}, Online Nigeria,Retrieved 9 August 2017</ref> she played a critical role in job creation, the development of FUTO through FUTOWA including the creation of childcare facilities for staff and students, the establishment of the child development centre and the elevation of the status of women in FUTO.<ref name=charity/>
She caused a stir in late 2013 as Foreign Minister when she requested that the Imo Governor at the time give an expenditure account of monies in form of allocations from the Federal Government he received on behalf of Imo State, including Sure-P Fund, Erosion control, Flood money, LGA Allocations, NDDC allocations and other Sundry monies<ref name=charity/> As Foreign Affairs Minister she worked to re-establish and improve relationships with Nigerians in the Diaspora, as a first step towards creating an environment to attract Diaspora Nigerians' participation in accomplishing the Agenda of the President and to attract increased Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Direct Remittances which rose to 8billion dollars and 21 billion dollars respectively during her tenure,<ref name=diasp5>[http://logbaby.com/news/nigeria-attracts--8bn-in-foreign-direct-investment---fg_18895.html#.WYvErlGGP-g, Nigeria attracts $8bn in Foreign Direct Investment – FGs], 9 August 2014 Retrieved 9 August 2017</ref><ref name=diasp2>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201612210454.html, Foreign Direct Remittances]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 21 December 2016 Retrieved 9 August 2017</ref> working to promote respect of and improve the treatment of Nigerians in the diaspora; and she became the first seating Nigerian Minister to be officially hosted at the esteemed historically Black University, Howard University.<ref name=diasp>[https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/75197/diaspora-nigerians-projects-100-billion-remittance-as-onwuliri-wows.html, Minister in the Diaspora], 16 November 2011 Retrieved 9 August 2017</ref> As Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs she served from 11 July 2011- 22 October 2014, which included serving as the State-1 Minister and then the Supervising Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2013 and 2014 before being moved to the Education Ministry as its State-1 Minister.<ref name=educ>[http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/top-stories/37496-cabinet-reshuffle-onwuliri-now-minister-of-education-state Cabinet reshuffle: Onwuliri now Minister of Education (State)], 22 October 2014, Retrieved 28 February 2016</ref>
In 2013, she won the chairmanship of the GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa.<ref name= gpower1>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201305310679.html, Nigeria to head GlobalPower Women Network], 31 May 2013, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref> Later that year, she received the European Union Honorary Platinum Leadership Award in Politics on 28 November 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden.<ref name= charity5>[http://www.euwiininternational.eu/awardees/ Hon Viola Onwuliri EU Award] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708191716/http://www.euwiininternational.eu/awardees/ |date=8 July 2018 }}, 28 November 2013, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref>
Onwuliri was the Chairperson of the African continental women's society SWAAN and worked as Principal Investigator and Project Director in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.<ref name=apin1b>[http://www.apin.harvard.edu/program-swaan.html, Havard APIN] Retrieved 9 August 2017</ref><ref name=apin>[http://www.who.int/tdr/publications/peer-reviewed-articles/peer-reviewed-2004-2005/en/ APIN] Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref><ref name=apin2>[http://www.apin.harvard.edu/documents/Outlook13.pdf, APIN], Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref> President Goodluck Jonathan moved Onwuliri from the Foreign Office to be the Minister of State for Education in October 2014 when Ezenwo Nyesom Wike resigned.<ref name=most>[http://uncova.com/onwuliri-on-a-familiar-terrain-bound-to-excel Viola Onwuliri, most performing minister, moved to fill Education] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814215218/http://uncova.com/onwuliri-on-a-familiar-terrain-bound-to-excel |date=14 August 2017 }} 29 November 2014, Uncova Retrieved 14 August 2017</ref><ref name=educ/>
In 2015, the Nigerian government appointed Onwuliri as the Pro-Chancellor of the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU)<ref name=nmu>[http://realnewsmagazine.net/business/maritime-university-starts-soon/ Maritime University starts ], 12 June 2015, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref><ref name=nmu11>[http://saharareporters.com/2017/05/05/nigeria-government-re-opens-maritime-university-1 Nigerian Maritime University], 5 May 2017, Retrieved 8 August 2017</ref> and as its Chairman of council.<ref name=nmu/><ref name=nmu2>[http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/01/amachi-and-maritime-university-the-storm-in-ijawland/ Amaechi and the Maritime University], 31 January 2016, Retrieved 9 August 2017</ref><ref name=nmu3>[https://guardian.ng/business-services/delta-canvasses-support-for-maritime-varsity-council-holds-inaugural-meeting/ Delta Canvasses support for Maritime University], 10 June 2015, Retrieved 9 August 2017</ref>
==See also== *Minister of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria)
==References== {{commons category}} {{Reflist}} {{Foreign Ministers of Nigeria}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Onwuliri, Viola Adaku}} Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:People from Mbaise Category:Foreign ministers of Nigeria Category:Education ministers of Nigeria Category:University of Nigeria alumni