By: Aduwo Ayodele
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, University of Ibadan, Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju has on Friday, 02, February 2024 called for more gown-town engagements for significant societal impact.
Professor Baiyeroju made the call on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, at the grand event of the retrospective 60 years Anniversary Colloquium (1962-2022), organized by the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology at the University of Ibadan.
Hinged on the theme “Revamping Environmental Management For a Food Secured Nigeria,” the Deputy Vice-Chancellor highlighted that the celebration served triple purposes: homecoming for CPEB Alumni; networking for past, current and future collaborators; as well brainstorming to review future plans.
Affirming that the theme as well as the various topics of discussion agreed with the vision of the University of Ibadan, Professor Baiyeroju expressed the appreciation of the University of Ibadan to all the local and international partners present at the occasion; IITA, NOSDRA, IAR&T, Harvestfield Industries Limited, a Fruitful Environment Ltd, among others, while calling for sustained collaborations for greater impact.
The Chairperson at the event and Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Professor Veronica Obatolu commended the initiative of the Department for using the 60th Anniversary celebration to engage relevant stakeholders to come up with strategies that will cushion food shortage and climate change.
With the recently declared state of emergency on the food security situation in the country, Professor Obatolu lamented about the several human efforts that are being explored, that are however not environmentally friendly, with no regard for the ecosystems.
“This human efforts have resulted in many damages and evolving issues that are more deleterious to nature and causing a lot of damages done to the ecosystems through unguided practices.”
Professor Obatolu warned that if frantic and pragmatic efforts were not made to halt this process and restore the damaged environment, it will become more complex to feed ourselves. She also explained that the solution to the problems of food insecurity and climate change lies in collaborative efforts and pledged a continued and sustained collaboration with the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology to make Nigeria a better place for all.
The Head, Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Professor Morufat Balogun explained that the retrospective celebration was consequent upon the disruption of the academic calendar experienced between 2020 and 2022.
The high point of the Colloquium was the presentation of awards to various recipients who have impeccable records and are noteworthy in personality and achievements. The awards were in 2 categories: Distinguished Alumni Award and Distinguished Personality Award.
Recipients in the Distinguished Alumni Award Category included: Mr. Adeniyi Olabisi Arinmoro, MD/CEO, A Fruitful Environment Ltd (AFEL); Ifeoluwa Christie Oyeyemi, a Distinguished Entrepreneur in Agriculture; Kafilat Adedeji, a Distinguished Entrepreneur; Mary AbiolaOlubode-Azeez, CEO, Abiola Mush Agro Enterprises; Prof. Chiedozie Ngozi Egesi, Director, NRCRI, Umudike; Prof. Bamidele Fawole, Retired Professor of Nematology, UI; Prof. Elechi Franca Asawalam, DVC, Administration, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; and Prof. Ololade Adeduro Enikuomehin, A Fellow of the Nigerian Society for Plant Protection (NSPP).
Recipients in the Distinguished Personality Award Category included: Dr. P. Lava Kumar, Head, Germplasm Health, Virology & Diagnostics Unit, IITA; Mr. Idris Olubola Musa, DG/CEO, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA); Prince Martins A. Awofisayo, MD/CEO, Harvestfield Industries Ltd; Michael T. Abberton, Director, R4D, WA, Head, Genetic Resources Centre & Head, Biosciences Centre, IITA; and Prof. Isaac F. Adewole, former Minister of Health & 11th Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan.
The celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology lasted a whole week with many activities that involved the students and lecturers, as well as other members of the University Community.
