By Emeka Oluka
The Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology (PBST), College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) today, September 27, 2024, organised a Send-Forth ceremony to honour the remarkable contributions of two distinguished Dons, Prof. Omolayo Ariyo and Prof. David Ojo, who have served both the Department and the University with dedication and excellence.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, appreciated the duo for their invaluable service, noting that they played pivotal roles in advancing FUNAAB’s Tripodal Mandate of Teaching, Research, and Extension Services. He expressed admiration for their deep knowledge of the University’s foundation and history and extended an invitation to Prof. Ariyo to deliver a Valedictory Lecture shortly.
In his speech, the Head of Department, PBST, Prof. Francis Sowemimo, congratulated the retiring professors, encouraging them to remain connected with the Department. He emphasised that while every journey has an end, the retired Professors should feel free to visit the Department anytime.
Several speakers paid glowing tributes to the honourees. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo; Dean of COLPLANT, Prof. Bola Senjobi; Deputy Dean of COLPLANT, Prof. Adewale Salau; and Head of the Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Prof. Jamiu Azeez, all commended the immense contributions of Prof. Ariyo and Prof. Ojo. They shared personal reflections, describing both men as icons of integrity and goodwill who have left an indelible mark on the University.
In their separate responses, Profs. Ariyo and Ojo expressed gratitude to the Department and the College for the recognition. They offered words of wisdom to those still in service, urging them to continue driving the University’s development in line with the vision of its founding fathers.
Prof. Ariyo, who transferred his service to FUNAAB in 1990, had previously held key positions, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development). Prof. Ojo, currently a Consultant for the African Development Bank (AfDB) Soybean Project at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, has been contributing to enhancing soybean production across several African countries.
The highpoint was the presentation of gifts to the honourees, as well as the cutting of the Retirement Cake, including the celebration of Prof. Justina Porbeni and Prof. Emmanuel Idehen as new Professors in COLPLANT.
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