Hunger Pains, Plant Blisses: Understanding the secret lives of Plants
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Date
2024-11-06
Authors
Ogunkanmi, A.L.
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Publisher
University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Limited
Abstract
I give thanks to Almighty Allah who made today a reality in my life. It is neither by power nor by might but by the special grace of God. Many oceans have dried but You have seen me through the agonies on roads, rail, water, and air until today. He is God. There is no god but He. To Him belongs all praises in this life and the next. His is the decision, and to Him, you will be returned. Quran 28 V. 70 (Surat AI Qasas). Praise be to God, to Whom belongs everything in the heavens and the earth; and praise be to Him in the Hereafter. He is the Wise, the Expert. Quran 34 V. 1 (Surat AI-Sheba). It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to deliver 5th inaugural lecture in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and 1n the 1sI in the area of Plant Breeding and Molecular Genetics. I have been a Professor since October 1st 2020, and I am currently in my fou.rth year as the head of the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics. I Sincerely appreciate our able Vice Chancellor Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola for approving today's Inaugural lecture. The son of a peasant farmer and IYA ONIDIRI, (Hairdresser as it is called today) raised in a remote village called Ogundele Alaho, via Omi AdIO, Ibadan, ~tands before this August audience to give an account of hiS st~war~shlp. as a Professor of Plant Breeding and Molecular Genetics. Little did I know that my late father was laying the foundation for my career with farming activities when I was young. Both parents struggled to ensure that although the horse could not enjoy life, its tail would. My mother had to survive the challenge of carrying a bag of cement for two kilometres to the construction sites to be selected as a casual ~rker, all in ~ bid to pay for my school fees. How I wish they were alive today to witness the transformation of their mentorship from Village farming to an Integrated farming system. The realization of this was made possible under the tutelage of my academic father and mentor; Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe (Immediate past VICe Chancellor, University of Lagos). His mentorship is second to none, and I can boldly say he is the best mentor I have ever known. He Introduced me to the Intemationallnstitute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, for Master and Ph.D. fellowships, nourishing the mentorship agenda of my late ~ther. One day, he called me and said "Bayo, if you must do a Ph.D., it must be in MOLECULARBIOLOGY". I am happy today that you are seated in this hall, listening to the same Bayo you advised and mentored. Alhamdullah!
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Citation
Ogunkanmi, A.L. (2024). Hunger Pains, Plant Blisses: Understanding the secret lives of Plants. An Inaugural Lecture Delivered at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, 95p.