Olabisi Onabanjo University will on Tuesday, 19th December 2017 hold its 78th Inaugural Lecture entitled “Addressing Nigeria’s Food Shortage Dilemma: The Cooperative Agenda” at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye by 2.00pm.
The Lecture will be delivered by Professor John Olusegun Yetongo Aihonsu, a Professor of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management.
Professor John Olusegun Yetongo Aihonsu joined the services of Olabisi Onabanjo University (formerly Ogun State University) as an Assistant Lecturer in December 1982 and through diligence and hardwork rose through the ranks to become a Professor in October 2011.
Born 8th of May 1954 into the family of Aihonsu near Ipokia in Ipokia Local Government Area in the Yewa South Axis of Ogun State, Nigeria, Professor Aihonsu had his early education at the Egbado South Local Government Primary School, Ipinle and finished at United Primary School, Ayetoro in 1967. He proceeded to the famous Comprehensive High School Ayetoro for his Secondary education between 1968 and 1974. He later gained admission into the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he studied and obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Honours degree in Agriculture in 1980. He completed his one year National Youth Service Corp programme at Ahmadu Bello University College of Agriculture, Kabba, Kogi State in 1981 and worked briefly as Agricultural Officer II with the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources before proceeding to the University of Ibadan for his Masters degree in Agricultural Economics. Professor Aihonsu obtained a research Master of Philosophy M. Phil degree from the University of Ibadan in 1985 and later, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2002.
Aihonsu has taught several courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has also successfully supervised several undergraduate students’ projects, many masters’ degree dissertations and two doctorate degree theses. He has over 83 academic publications to his credit.
Professor Aihonsu is a lifetime member of some Professional Associations such as: Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN), Nigeria Rural Sociological Association (NRSA), Children in Agricultural Propramme (CIAP), Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN), Nigeria Association of Agricultural Economics (NAAE) and International Farm Management Association (IFMA).
Professor Aihonsu has bagged so many notable awards among which include: University of Ibadan Schorlarship for higher degree, Federal Government Scholarship for M.Sc. Degree, Meritorious Long Service Award of Olabisi Onabanjo University and Yewa Royal Diamond Award of Excellence in Academics by Yewa Traditional Council among others.
Aihonsu has served the nation and the University in various capacities such as: External Moderator for the ND II Agricultural programme for the School of Agriculture, Lagos State Polytechnic, External Examiner to MBA Agri. Programme at UNAAB (2009 to 2015), External Examiner/Assessor to Lagos State University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and Delta State University, Abraka, among others. Secretary, Local Organizing Committee for the 8th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Rural Sociological Association (1994), Member, Editorial Board of Journals of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (JAMRD) 2004 TO DATE, Member, State Committee on Reform of Cooperatives in Ogun State (2006), Consultant to Ogun State FADAMA Development Programme II (2006 – 2007) Consultant to Bureau of Urban and Physical Planning, Office of the Governor, Ogun State on Preparation of Sub-Regional Plan for Ado-Odo/Ota, Yewa South and Ipokia Local Government Areas, Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the 21st Annual National Conference of the Farm Management, Association of Nigeria (FAMAN) (2006-2007), Editorial
Consultant (ICOPRON), Member, Editorial Team of Nigeria Association of Agricultural Economists (2006 to date), Reviewer to Agricultural Tropica Et Subtropica (ATS), Head, Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management and the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Management and Rural Development.
In the field of sports, Professor Aihonsu was a good volley ball player. He was the volley ball captain for two years in his heydays as a secondary school student. Also, a strong member of the Western State Intermediate Volley ball team that won silver medal in the first National Sports Festival held in 1973. Aihonsu was a unique “setter” in the volley ball team of Obafemi Awolowo University that won Gold medal twice in 1978 and 1986 NUGA games which also represented Nigerian Universities in Togo in 1980. In the religious circle, Professor Aihonsu is a devoted Christian. He is a Senior Pastor with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries church. Professor Aihonsu is also a lover of community development. He is the current Vice-President I in the YEWA Think Tank (YTT) a frontline socio developmental association in Yewa land.
Professor Aihonsu is happily married with children.
The Inaugural lecture is expected to be graced by distinguished scholars, government functionaries, eminent personalities, Traditional rulers and well meaning Nigerians from all walks of life.
By: Niyi Oduwole
