Return to Nigeria and Career
After receiving employment assurances from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on his application from Czechoslovakia, Dr. Emea Okwara Arua returned to Nigeria in August, 1971. Unfortunately, upon his arrival at this dignified Institution founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1955, he was not granted the assured position; the time of his arrival coincided with a change in the university’s administration. Professor Eni Njoku who shared with Dr. Emea Arua, the Hope Waddell Training Institute as his alma mater, was being replaced as the Vice-Chancellor by Professor Herbert C. Kodilinye. Professor Kodilinye, wary of hiring academics who had studied in foreign socialist countries, would not offer Dr. Emea Arua employment. Undeterred, the new doctor of Rural Sociology turned his attentions to the Ministry of Economic Development and Reconstruction in Enugu, and was offered employment. Between the years 1971 - 1975, Dr. Emea Okwara Arua worked, first as Planning Officer 1, and then as a Senior Planning officer, in this ministry. In that time, he was privileged to be one of the co-authors of Nigeria’s Third Development Plan. When additional states were created in 1976, he then joined the Imo State Civil Service, first as a Principal Planning Officer in the Economic Planning Ministry, then as Acting Chief Planning Officer, at the Ministry of Health in Owerri, Imo State.
Another administration change in the University of Nigeria brought about the replacement of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Herbert C. Kodilinye, with Professor James O. C. Ezeilo, in 1975. Sentiments had changed by this time- there was no longer any discrimination against academics trained in foreign socialist countries. As a result, in1976, Dr. Emea Okwara Arua was employed as Lecturer 1 in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, thereby fulfilling his desire to work in the University of Nigeria. Dr. Emea Okwara Arua would continue to lecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in an illustrious career that would span three decades. He served as Lecturer 1 in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension between the years 1976 - 1979, and as Senior Lecturer in the years between 1979 - 1983. He became an Associate Professor in 1983 and taught in this capacity until 1987. On the 1st of October, 1987, he became a Professor and member of the University of Nigeria Senate, continuing to lecture until 2003, the year of his retirement. Finally, in 2005, in recognition of his contributions within the Faculty of Agriculture, he was appointed adjunct Professor.
Accomplishments in the course of his career
In the course of his career, Professor Dr. Emea Okwara Arua served as the Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics in the early 90s, and as the Director of the Center for Rural Development and Co-operatives, until 1995. He supervised over 215 B.Agric students, 30 Diploma Students, 32 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) students, 45 M.Sc. Students and 25 Ph.D. students. Professor Dr. Emea Okwara Arua authored numerous books, had over 20 chapters of his input in academic publications, and over 75 scientific articles published in both national and international journals. In addition to his membership in several distinguished committees of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Dr. Emea Okwara Arua also served as the External Examiner for B.Agric, M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in various Nigerian Universities, including Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, University of Maiduguri, Kogi State University, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He served as a consultant, both to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Italy, and to the World Bank.
Among other important positions held during his illustrious career, and accomplishmentstoo many to enumerate in this humble tribute to his exemplary life, Professor Dr. Emea Okwara Arua received a Certificate of Commendation from then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, for his work as the Chairman and Coordinator of the Publications Committee for the visit of his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, to the East Central State of Nigeria, in 1972. Professor Dr. Emea Okwara Arua was also conferred with the honorary title, Ochi Oha Abam Onyerubi, by the Onyerubi Cabinet, Abam, Arochukwu LGA, Abia State, in 1985. These events transpired before extraordinary events of destiny and fate would see his enthronement as HRTH, Ebube Dike Ekpudiogba Ofali Agwu III; Ezieogo Amaekpu Ohafia