The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, University of Ibadan, Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju has called for more gown-town engagements for significant societal impact.
She made the call on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, mni, FAS, at the grand event of the Retrospective 60 years Anniversary Colloquium (1962-2022) of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology of the University of Ibadan.
The theme of the Colloquium was “Revamping Environmental Management For a Food Secured Nigeria”
The DVC stated that the celebration served triple purposes: homecoming for CPEB Alumni; networking for past, current and future collaborators; as well brainstorming to review future plans.
The topic of discussion was ‘The Past, Present and Future of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology’.
She affirmed that the theme as well as the various topics of discussion agreed with the vision of the University of Ibadan “to be a world class institution for academic excellence geared towards meeting societal needs.”
She therefore, 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 and others 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 mitigate food shortage and climate change.
She considered this as timely, most especially, now that the Federal Government has declared a state of emergency on the food security situation in the country with continued efforts at finding a way out of the situation.
Professor Obatolu, however, lamented that in a bid to ensure food security for the increasing population, several human efforts that are being explored are not environmentally friendly and have no regard for the ecosystems.
She noted that this has 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 however submitted 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.
She highlighted various impacts of the CPEB over the years and the set pursuits of the Department in the coming years.
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.
●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, 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.
●Prof. Isaac F. Adewole, FAS, former Minister of Health & 11th VC, University of Ibadan.
The celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology spanned a whole week with many activities that involved the students and lecturers as well as other members of the University Community.
