The Centre for Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE) has organised a befitting Send-Forth ceremony in honour of one of its pioneering academic staff and Program Leader, Agricultural Economics and Environmental Policy, Prof. Caroline Afolami, who retired meritoriously from the University recently.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kolawole Salako congratulated the celebrant for her unrelenting efforts towards setting the record straight in terms of discipline.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed that he has high regards and respect for the retiree especially in the area of inculcating discipline, pointing out that she served the University diligently without compromising standard.
He prayed God to reward her labour and make her ways prosperous.
Extolling her virtues, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale stated that she counts herself highly privileged for meeting and associating with Prof. Afolami whom she described as a virtuous woman who served the University meritoriously.
Earlier in his glowing tribute, the Director of CEADESE, Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi who went down memory lane recounted that it was Prof. Afolami who started the Centre and since then has been more of a counselor, adviser, mentor and a lot more to him and the Centre as a whole.
Prof. Akinyemi appreciated her for all she has been able to achieve for the Centre especially in terms of impact, even as he expressed gratitude to Prof. Steven Afolami, her husband, for being a strong pillar of support.
Eulogising the celebrant, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Academic), Prof. Oluyemisi Eromosele who described the retiree as a straight forward, no-nonsense, God-fearing woman, added that she is the University’s longest serving Chairperson, Admissions Committee
Responding, Prof. Caroline Afolami expressed her surprise and joy, saying, “This is not the first place I worked, I have worked in so many places before I came to FUNAAB, they did not send me off”.
She expressed appreciation for the kind gesture and thanked God for helping her to end on a good note.
Making reference to her fair-minded posture, Prof Afolami disclosed that she imbibed the spirit through her Principal who will always say “Do unto others as you want them do to you”, stressing that she has since adopted it as a lifestyle.
Prof. Afolami disclosed that God has been faithful as she has never gone to bed worried because her conscience is always free, urging members of the University Community and Nigerians in general to uphold the law of excellence and build a better Nigeria.
The event was also graced by the Dean of Postgraduate School, Prof. Wilfred Alegbeleye, Deputy Dean, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Prof. Akinwumi Oyeyinka, Prof. Idris Ayinde, Head of Department, Agricultural Extension and Farm Management, Prof. Babatunde Adewumi, Prof. Taofeek Shittu and Mr. Temitope Oni, among others.
