The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Felix Kolawole Salako on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, Staff and Students of the University, regrets to announce the demise of the Third Substantive Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB (2001 – 2006) Emeritus Professor Israel Folorunsho Adu.
The late Emeritus Professor Adu whose sad event occurred on Sunday, June 7, 2020 was until his demise, President, Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS).
A renowned academic and Professor of Ruminant Nutrition and Management with special emphasis on small ruminants. The late Emeritus Professor Adu joined the University in 1990 and served the University in numerous capacities, some of which were; Head, Department of Animal Production and Health 1990-1993, Dean, Student Affairs 1991 to 1996. He also served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 1996 to 2000 and Vice –Chancellor from 2001-2006. During his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor, FUNAAB won its first major award as the best specialized University in Nigeria and also the best Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria.
A distinguished gentleman, father and mentor to many, the late Emeritus Professor was the Pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, McPherson University, Seriki-Sotayo, Ogun State (2012-2016), Visiting Professor, National Open University of Nigeria, Director, African Council for Distance Education-Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (ACDE-QAAA) (2011 -2017), Chairman, Academic and Programme Sub-Committee of the 7th Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (2013); African Focus Point Man for Quality, (appointed by the International Council for Distance Education based in Oslo; Norway), 2016 -2017 , Member National Research Foundation Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of TETFUND and Chairman, Science, Technology and Innovation Group (July 2019 till his demise).
Late Emeritus Professor Adu was a Fellow of several professional bodies, some of which are Animal Science Institute of Nigeria (2011); Animal Science Association of Nigeria (2010); Nigerian Academy of Science (2004); Nigerian Society for Animal Production (1997), International Goat Association and African Small Ruminant Research Group.
An eminent scholar, late Emeritus Professor Adu was a recipient of more than 34 national and institutional recognitions, honours and awards, the most recent being the conferment of Emeritus Professorship on him by FUNAAB at its 27th Convocation Ceremony on January 28, 2020.
He authored over 129 publications including eight monographs, three chapters in books, 16 invited keynote/public lectures, 76 journal papers and 26 referred conference proceedings. Emeritus Professor Adu started his teaching and research career at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. As an academic , he supervised 83 final year research projects , 14 Masters and 5 Ph.D. students both at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta He retired meritoriously from the University in 2014.
Late Emeritus Professor Adu was born on July 4, 1944 . He is survived by his wife Mrs. Agnes Jokotola Adu (Nee Awolalu.), children, many grandchildren and many academic children . Late Emeritus Professor Adu will be greatly missed by the entire FUNAAB community. May His Gentle Soul Rest in Peace.
