The governing board of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Ibadan has commended Prof. Veronica Obatolu led administration for outstanding achievements recorded as the Executive Director of the institute.

The commendation was made at the just concluded meeting of the board. The board meeting which started on Monday, 4th October, ended on Wednesday, 6th October, 2021.

The meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the board, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) in Ile Ife, Prof. E.O. Ogunbodede. The board after critically accessing and evaluating the achievements and innovations the institute has recorded, resolved to advocate for more funding for IAR&T in other to sustain the current developmental projects and research breakthrough the institute is recording based on their mandate.

In his interview with CEOAFRICA, the Chairman of the board, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) ,Ile Ife, Prof. E.O. Ogunbodede, stated that IAR&T has fulfilled its mandate as an institution of being the agricultural arm of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

He further commended Prof. Obatolu led administration saying, “we are very proud of IAR&T, we are very proud as the institution is doing so well." "We are particularly proud of the current Executive Director and the entire management of the institution."

A board member of IAR&T representing Edo State, Hon. Agboluai Afeisume, while speaking with CEOAFRICA, commended Prof. Obatolu led administration as the Director of the Institute stated that she always has a positive aura around her, which according to him is a great leadership quality.

He said, "If you want to lead people, you must be able to smile." He expressed his wishes for a stronger relationship between members of the board and the management of the Institute, and according to him, "this is achievable because the Director has a listening ear that takes to the advice of the board".

Another governing board member of the IAR&T, Mr. Sani Alhasan representing Kastina State, also commended the current administration on its achievements, adding that the visit to the house stations was an eye opener to the achievements of the institute

The honourable member of the board implored the federal government to ensure that the institute has access to more funding to help the institute achieve its mandate.

Mr Abdulkadri Abubakar Maje, board member of the IAR&T representing Jigawa State, in an interview with CEOAFRICA also commended Prof. Obatolu on her achievements. In his words," she's incredible and is doing more than a man can do. She has moved the institute from where it used to be".

He further commended the leadership of Prof. E. O. Ogunbodede, as the Chairman of the board, saying, "He's doing a good job".

Speaking on the issue of funding, he stated that the institute needed better funding moving forward, and called on the government of the country to provide more funds for the institute to advance agricultural research in the nation.

In the same vein, Hon. Shehu Aliyu Ungogo while calling for more funds to be pumped into the institute, stated that the board is "one of the backbones of the development of agriculture in Nigeria".

He stated that the more funds pumped in the institute's budget will greatly benefit the advancement of agriculture in Nigeria.

The board meeting ended with the Director of IAR&T, Prof. V. A. Obatolu taking members of the board on a tour to the various house stations and sites located within the agency's grounds.

The board members inspected these sites and their innovations under the leadership of Prof. Obatolu.

The Executive Director of IAR&T, Prof. Obatolu, while speaking in an interview with CEOAFRICA at the venue, expressed her happiness with the satisfactory commendations from the board. She attributes her success with the institution to God and the efforts of the management team and the staff of IAR&T.

Prof. Obatolu who is the first female Executive Director of IAR&T since it was founded in 1969, added that the evaluation by the board was very important, as it provided an opportunity for the board members to have full knowledge of the situation things in the institution.

Speaking further, she said that it was necessary for members of the board to experience first hand knowledge of activities taking place in the house stations. According to her, "the board members need to know what really happens in all of our house stations, and what the Institute is really doing". She also said that the visit to the house stations by the board would help them make informed decisions about the institute.

Speaking about the next step for the institute under her leadership, the Executive Director reiterated the importance of the institute's mandate, adding that the IAR&T will continue to put all hands-on deck to ensure its mandate is achieved.

She added that "the mandate is my primary assignment, it is my primary focus". "We would focus on how to make our researches, which is our primary assignment, an innovative type of research. With the right things in place, we hope we are able to extend these research breakthrough to the farmers that will use them for the benefit of our country",

The current members of board of IAR&T are Prof. E.O. Ogunbodede, The Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, who is the Chairman of the Governing Board of IAR&T; Prof. A.J. Farinde, The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, O.A.U, Ile-Ife; Prof. V. A. Obatolu, The Executive Director of IAR&T; Prof. A.A. Adebayo, a representative of the university council; Prof. A.A. Tijani, Representative of the University Senate; Hon. Afeisume Agboluai, representing Edo State; Engr. Babatunde A. Tolase; Dr. Moshood Adekunle Oluawo; Alhaji Sani Alasan; Hon. Shehu Aliyu Ungogo; Mr. Abdulkadri Abubakar Maje representing Jigawa State; Hon. Mrs. Rahmat Adeshina Abaya representing Kwara State; Mr. A. A. Popoola, Deputy Registra of IAR&T; Dr. J. O. Saka, the Deputy Director of IAR&T; Mr. M. O. Fadipe, Deputy Bursar of IAR&T; Mr. Jide Oladipo, Principal Assistant Registrar.

The Institution of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR & T), located at the Moor Plantation in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital was established in 1969.