By July, this year, the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, will roll out cymbals and drums to celebrate fifty years of its existence and contribution to agricultural research and teaching in Nigeria, says Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, the University’s Director of Public Communication.

To celebrate the 50 years of excellent service to the country, the Department has lined up several activities, especially the FAMERS’ DAY slated for Thursday, 12 July, 2012. It will hold in the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, from 11.00 a.m.

The Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Dr. Rasheed Awodoyin, said the FARMERS’ DAY is a town and gown programme with the theme: Integrated Management of Plant Pests and Diseases. It aims to bring farmers’ representatives from all Local Governments in Oyo State to visit the Department to rub minds with crop protection experts drawn from the University and Research Institutes on the contemporary challenges they may be facing in their crop production system. The forum will avail these farmers the opportunity to visit the Insect Museum (the best of its kind in West Africa), Pests and Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory and Exhibition Pavilions to be mounted by Agro-Chemical Industries and Research Institutes.

He also said that these farmers and other stakeholders will observe the mini compost preparation strategy from common weeds around the farm, observe some of the crop cultivars that have been bred for resistance to some diseases as well as draw attention to whatever crop protection challenges they may have on their farms for discussion.

“The Department also welcomes contributions from friends and well wishers to the Five Hundred Million Naira GOLDEN JUBILEE FUND, which focuses at procuring facilities to promote excellent teaching and research which will be appropriately acknowledged in the University’s information products”, Dr. Awodoyin disclosed.

“Formerly known as the Department of Agricultural Biology, the Department evolved in 1962 as one of the four pioneer Departments from the then one Department of Faculty of Agriculture founded in 1949. Since then, the Department has been training students at all academic levels based on the concept of integrated multidisciplinary approach in the application of biology to crop protection and crop improvement to enhance agricultural productivity. This concept subsists to date and has influenced all such Departments in other Universities nationwide. Invariably, the celebration of 50 years of existence of the Department is the celebration of 50 years of Agricultural Biology in Nigeria and probably in Africa” said the University spokesman.

He stressed that the Department has produced many notable graduates and experts who have inspired others in such areas as entomology, toxicology, phytopathology, plant virology, genetics, nematology, ecology, crop physiology, biotechnology, University administration, among others.

“Mention must be made of such experts as Professor Nurudeen Adedipe, pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), formerly University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, Executive Director, IFAD, Rome, Italy, Professor T.A. Tayo, former Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos, Professor J.A. Odebiyi, Vice Chancellor, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Professor G.O. Olatunde, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Osogbo, Professor Babatunde Ikotun, Former Head of Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology and Former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Professor F.K. Ewete, Former Head, Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology and Former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan as well as Professor Winifred Makanjuola, Head of Department of Zoology, University of Lagos. Others are Dr. Feyisara Okelana, Acting Executive Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan, Mr. Charles Anudu, Chief Executive Officer, CANDEL Agrochemicals, Lagos, Professor Ololade Enikuomehin, Former Head, Department of Crop Protection University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Professor Tunde Kehinde, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, among a host of others” he said.