Gov Makinde Appoints Prof. Akinola Kehinde Akinlabi As OYSCATECH Rector

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has approved the appointment of Ibarapa born Professor Akinola Kehinde Akinlabi as the 3rd substantive Rector of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora. With the appointment, Prof. Akinlabi becomes the first indigenous Rector for the Institution since it’s establishment 17 years ago.

The approval of appointment which was conveyed in a letter dated December 16, 2022, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun and made available to Asako News on Tuesday, 20th December, 2022, stated that the tenure shall be five years in accordance with the terms and conditions of the office and status, as spelt out in the relevant laws of the institution.

The governor, through the SSG, congratulated the new rector and also urged him to discharge his duties with absolute loyalty, dedication and professionalism, towards ensuring the enhancement of the institution current status.

The letter reads: “I am delighted to convey the approval of the Governor, His Excellency, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde on your appointment as Rector, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology , Igboora, with effect from 14th December, 2022.”

“The tenure of your appointment shall be five years, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the office and status, as spelt out in the relevant laws of the institution.”

“While heartily congratulating you on your appointment, Government desires the discharge of your duties with absolute loyalty, dedication and professionalism, towards ensuring the enhancement of the institution current status.”

“You will also ensure the sustenance of peace and further development of the institution, in line with the vision of the State Government On behalf of His Excellency, please accept our hearty congratulations.”

PROFILE OF THE NEW OYSCATECH RECTOR, PROFESSOR AKINOLA KEHINDE AKINLABI

Prof. Akinola Kehinde AKINLABI hailed from Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government area of Oyo State. He had his primary and secondary school educations at Local Authority Primary School Igboora and Igboora High School Igboora respectively before proceeding to the then, Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic for his Advanced Level studies in 1986. He got admitted into the University of Lagos, Akoka in 1987 and graduated in 1991 with a BSc degree in Chemistry Education. After completing his Bachelor’s degree, he proceeded for his NYSC at Kaduna and by 1992 he went to the University of Benin (Uniben) for his Masters degrees in Industrial Chemistry and in Business Administration, which he completed in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

In September 1996, he joined the services of the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) as a Research Officer 1 and was posted to the Rubber Technology Laboratory, it was from here he was seconded to Bata and Imoniyamme rubber processing factories to study how rubber is being processed. In September 1997 he had the opportunity of presenting a paper on ‘Problems affecting rubber processing factories in Nigeria’ at the International Conference organized in Benin City, Nigeria by United Nations for Office Projects (UNOPS) for all Africa rubber producing countries. It was from here, he was interviewed and selected by UNOPS to represent Nigeria for a course in France and United Kingdom on rubber science and Technology.

In 1998 he proceeded to France for a short training programme in Rubber Processing, Technology and Characterization, which he completed in 1999 January and later proceeded to the University of North London, Holloway Road United Kingdom now London Metropolitan University for another Masters in Polymer Science, computing and Engineering. After completing this, he returned to Nigeria and continued with his PhD programme in Uniben, which he completed in the year 2003.

Prof. Akinola K. AKINLABI rose to the position of Principal Research Officer at the RRIN before he left in 2006 to join the services of the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) as Lecturer 1 on June 1st 2006. He rose through the rank to become a Professor of Industrial Chemistry in 2015. He had served and still serving the University in various positions as follows:

• Chairman, FUNAAB Ceremonial Committee, April 2019 to date.

• Deputy Dean of the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS) for two terms August 2016 to March 2021.

• COLPHYS representative at the COLBOIS promotion committee 2020 to date

• COLPHYS representative at the FUNAAB Health centre promotion committee, March 2015 to December 2020.

• Served as the Acting Head of the Department of Chemistry from May 2011 to June 2013.

• Serving as a resource person to Nigerian University Commission (NUC) for programme assessment and accreditation

• Served as the chairman, COLPHYS Committee on Exams and Results.

• Serving as a Member, Departmental Students disciplinary committee

• Served as the COLNAS representative at the FUNAAB Committee on equipment maintenance in year 2008.

• Served as one of the COLNAS representatives for conducting year 2008 Post University Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

• Serving as the Patron to some associations in the University: FUNAAB student chapter of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, Rotaract club of FUNAAB and Federation of Oyo State Students Association,

While he was in RRIN, Professor A. K. Akinlabi served as

• Head of Rubber Technology Department in RRIN (2004 – 2006)

• Head of the Quality Control unit of the RRIN (2001 – 2006)

• Head of the Rubber Testing laboratory of the RRIN (1999 – 2001)

• Vice Chairman of the Senior Staff Association, RRIN Branch (2000 – 2006)

Professor Akinlabi also belong to the following Professional Associations and has held or still holding positions in most of the associations he belongs.

• Chemical Society of Nigeria- where he is the current Chairman of CSN fellows in Nigeria. He was one time the Editor in Chief of CSN journals (2017 – 2021), Membership Secretary (2014- 2017), Deputy Vice President for South West (2011 – 2014)

• Fellow of Institute of Chartered Chemist of Nigeria

• Polymer Institute of Nigeria- He is the coordinator for South West

• Institute of Materials, London-

• Materials Society of Nigeria-

• American Chemical Society

He is a member of some charity and social organizations like

• Rotary international- where he is the current Chairman of District Education and Welfare Endowment Fund (DEWEF)- that gives scholarship to indigent students. He had served as President, Rotary club of Abeokuta (2010- 2011), District Deputy Secretary (2013-14), District Governor Special Rep (2015 – 2018), Assistant Governor (2018 – 2021)

• Unilag Alumni Association- he is the current Vice Chairman of Ogun chapter

• Uniben Alumni Association- he has been the secretary for over 7 years

• Abeokuta Sports Club- he is the immediately Past Mayor (head) of Moonlight Section and had served as Manager, Tombola committee, Secretary Bar committee etc

• Ibarapa Des Amie club- Coordinator.

• Fellow of the Professional Association of Natural Rubber in Africa (ANRA).

• Served as the coordinator, and one of the conveyors of OGUN 2010 International Conference of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, I was in charge of the planning and execution of logistics for the successful conference held in September 2010.

• Served as the Publicity Secretary to the Local Organizing Committee of the 2001 Annual International Technical Conference of the Polymer Institute of Nigeria (PIN) held in Benin City between October 30th to November 3rd 2001.

Scholarships, Awards, Prizes, National and International recognition

• 2019- French Government Research visiting award at CIRAD, France.

• 2015- University of Benin Alumni Association commendation award.

• 2013- Fellow award of the Chemical Society of Nigeria

• 2011- Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR ) Grant by FUNAAB.

• 2010- Chemical Society of Nigeria commendation at the OGUN 2010 International Conference

• 2004- Biographee at the International Biographical Centre, UK.

• 2004- Who is who in Igboora, by Federation of Igboora Students’ Union

• 2003- Outstanding researcher, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria.

• 2003- Outstanding scientist, French Government Postdoctoral fellowship

• 1997- ANRA fellow, Professional Association of Natural Rubber in Africa.

He is a regular reviewer to the following journals:

• Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria

• Journal of Applied Polymer Science in America,

• Journal of Composite and Composite Technology in UK,

• Polymer Engineering and Science Journal in Europe,

• Journal of Materials Science,

• Polymer Institute of Nigeria Journal,

Prof. Akinlabi had demonstrated high exemplary leadership skills in various ways at his work and community. He has been tested and trusted in many ways, which accounted for why people give him responsibilities. He is well respected in the society as a result of his personality, his philantrophy and humbleness. He has graduated Twelve (12) Doctorate students (Major supervisors to 4 and co-supervisors to 8). He had supervised over 18 and 90 Masters and undergraduate students respectively. He is well published with over 75 articles in various local and international journals. His research works has earned him several recognitions both home and abroad..

Prof. Akinola K. AKINLABI is a socialite and interracts with everybody. He is very friendly, a leader worthy to be emulated, a disciplined man, trustworthy, an encourager, a motivator, a role model, a mentor with large heart and a good listener that is always willing to help. He likes Playing lawn tennis, studying, traveling, meeting people and swimming. He is happily married to Mrs Jumoke Omowunmi Akinlabi and blessed with children, Akinbami (Oxford Scholar) and twins (Tolu and Temi).