AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, University of Ibadan, has called for increase in gown-town engagements for significant societal impact.
Baiyeroju spoke while representing the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, at 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 is ‘Revamping Environmental Management for a Food Secured Nigeria.’
According to the DVC, the celebration served triple purposes, namely homecoming for CPEB Alumni; networking for past, current and future collaborators; as well brainstorming to review future plans.
Dwelling on the topic of discussion, ‘The Past, Present and Future of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology,’ she affirmed that the theme as well as the topics of discussion were in consonance with the vision of the University, “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 the IITA, NOSDRA, IAR&T, Harvestfield Industries Limited, A Fruitful Environment Limited and other local and international partners at the occasion.
Moving forward, she called for sustained collaborations for greater impact.
The Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Prof. Veronica Obatolu, who chaired the occasion, lauded the initiative of the Department for seizing the opportunity of the 60th Anniversary celebration to engage relevant stakeholders to evolve strategies to mitigate the effects of food shortage and climate change.
Obatolu described the occasion as timely now that the Federal Government has declared a state of emergency on food security in the country.
She, however, lamented that efforts being employed in a bid to ensure food security for the increasing population, are not environmentally friendly, and had no regard for the ecosystems, thereby resulting in damages to nature and ecosystems through unwholesome practices.
Obatolu warned that if frantic and pragmatic efforts were not made to halt the process and restore the damaged environment, it would be difficult for the country to feed its citizens.
She 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 in order to make Nigeria a better place for all.
The Head, Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Prof. Morufat Balogun, said the celebration was consequent upon the disruption of the academic calendar experienced between 2020 and 2022.
Balogun 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 with impeccable records and who are noteworthy in achievements. The awards were in two 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 Limited (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; and Prof. Bamidele Fawole, retired Professor of Nematology, UI.
Others are 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 and Diagnostics Unit, IITA; Mr. Idris Olubola Musa, DG/CEO, Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA); and Prince Martins A. Awofisayo, MD/CEO, Harvestfield Industries Limited.
Also included are Michael Abberton, Director, R4D, WA, Head, Genetic Resources Centre and Head, Biosciences Centre, IITA and Prof. Isaac Adewole, former Minister of Health and 11th VC, University of Ibadan.
The celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology spanned one week with many activities that involved the students and lecturers as well as other members of the University community.
