Kunle ADELABU
The importance of agriculture to the development and nation-building has once again being brought to the fore by a foremost professor of agriculture in the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof. Babajide C. Ayodeji Matanmi, Ph.D, FESN, FNIM.
The eloquent and brilliant professor was the guest speaker at the 18th edition of the an annual Memorial Lecture instituted in honour of the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and an illustrious son of Ikorodu, late Prof. A.A. Adegbola.
Like the previous editions, this year’s lecture recorded the presence of many Professors, scholars, eminent personalities, royal fathers and students.
The memorial lecture , which is an initiative of the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), has been on for almost 20 years and has served as a veritable platform where experts, scholars and others come together to harness the human and material resources of Ikorodu division with the sole aim of developing them for the betterment of all.
This year’s lecture was held at the Ikorodu Town hall on Saturday, November 10, 2018 and was themed, “Opportunities and Prospects of Basic and Applied Agricultural Research In Nigeria”.
Professor Matanmi, who is also a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Kwara State, spoke extensively on the nature of basic and applied researches into agriculture in Nigeria.
He submitted that with the abundance of resources with which the country is blessed with, Nigeria has no excuse for food shortages.
“Nigeria is blessed with abundant land, water, and human resources that we, as people, do not have any reason to experience food shortages”, he stated.
“Through basic and applied research, tomorrow’s needs could be met through research today.”
Referencing Okonjo-Iweala (2012), the guest lecturer stated that the agricultural sector is a veritable source of national economic growth.
“The agricultural sector is the fundamental strength that creates the Nation’s agricultural food and Fibre industries.
Also quoting Farrell (1987), he stated that, “Land and Water resources could be developed by means of research and biotechnology, and in Nigeria, given the required financial support for basic and applied agricultural research, and the political will by Government, our Research institutions could make the Nigerian populace to enjoy food security, and food self-sufficiency”.
Furthermore, Professor Matanmi traced research into agricultural sector in the country to 1893.
“According to Olayide (1981), the recorded beginnings of agragrian research history in Nigeria occurred in 1893 when Sir Claude McDonald established a Botanical Research Station in Lagos.
He added that the British Cotton Growing Association acquired some land for experimental work on cotton in an area named Moor Plantation at Ibadan.
Speaking further on the development of agricultural research in the country, Prof. Matanmi stated:
“In 1912, the Colonial Government established a Department of Agriculture in each of the two Regions known as Southern and Northern Nigeria. Attention was also paid to training for research and extension capability at Yaba Higher College, Nigeria, and at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad.
He added that increased emphasis was placed on research designed to evolve permanent system of agriculture capable of replacing the prevailing rotational bush fallow system between 1940 and 1950.
“In 1971, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) was established under the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Decree No. 25 0f 1971; the functions included the co-ordination of research and its findings.
The lecturer stated that the Decree also created seven Research Institutions to help in developing the country’s agricultural sector.
While rounding off his lecture, Prof. Matanmi turned to the students in the hall and enjoined them to ensure that they have mentors to guide them into greatness.
“To every young scholar, you must have a mentor, Professor Adegbola served as my humble mentor and helped me reached this landmark which I have gotten to today” , he stated while citing himself as an example of someone who successfully attained the peak of his career with the help of a mentor.
Earlier in his welcome speech, Mr Abdulfatai Olalekan Lasisi, FCA, the Chairman, Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), challenged guests to emulate the exemplary life of late Prof. Adegbola in whose honour the annual lecture is being organized.
“My dear guests, death is inevitable. It is a debt we must all pay. As we celebrate the life of a national hero, let us be charged to write good things in our books for people to read after we would have bidding this world good-bye”.
He solicited for the public supports towards the achievements of the aims and objectives of the group.
Another chieftain of the group, Prof. Kunle Ade Wahab, Chairman, Ikorodu Division Human Resource Development Board (IDHRDB), in his keynote address, highlighted the achievements and future plans of the group.
He listed the establishment of the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organizing workshops for Mathematics in the division, organizing career guidance for secondary students, sourcing job opportunities for graduates, assisting schools in upgrading their educational facilities, organizing Education Stakeholders’ Summits, establishment of Prof Adegbola Science Centre at the Lagos State Polytechnic and annual Prof Adegbola Memorial Lecture among many others as achievements of the group so far.
Prof Wahab also stated that the group has completed plans to organize annual Book Expo and seminars for teachers in secondary schools in the division.
Sir Engr (Chief) R.O Shoderu, Chairman, Executive Management Committee of Prof. Anthony Afolabi Adegbola Science Centre, who was represented by Arch. Taiwo Kara, gave update on Prof Adegbola Science Centre.
He stated that the Group has approved the sum of #60million for the construction of perimeter fencing on the site of the centre in order to take physical possession of the allotted land and prevent encroachment.
Arc Kara also stated that plans have been concluded to hold a special fund raising programme for the project while also appealing to the members of the public to subscribe to any of the five membership categories of the Prof Adegbola Science Centre Foundation.
Guests at the lecture were Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Oluranti Adebule, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Alhaji Chief Abdul R. Olatinde Shitta, the Olisa of Ipakodo, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Prince Olabode Sunday Ogunleye, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Olatunji Odusanya, mni, Prof. Oluwafeyisola Sylvester Adegoke, Prof. Wale Omole, Dame Chief (Mrs) Adunola Olabisi Benson, Rev. Col. B.T Onafowokan, Chief Tele Oduloye, Prof. S.A Sanni, Alhaja Sherifat Abiodun Ogunniyi, Principal, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, and Alhaja Rabiat Folashade Alimi, Principal, Oriwu Junior Model College.
