ENIKUOMEHIN, FORMER ACTING VICE- CHANCELLOR OF FUNAAB ADVOCATES OPTIMAL SAFEGUARDING OF PLANT HEALTH WITH NATURAL ENDOWMENTS OF PLANTS

The 71^st Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) delivered by the former Acting Vice- Chancellor of the University , Prof. Ololade Adeduro Enikuomehin on Wednesday, November 22, 2022 has come and gone leaving behind a load of lessons.

The Inaugural Lecture was the first in the Department of Crop Protection and 14th in the College of Plant Science and Crop Production of the foremost University of Agriculture.

Prof. Enikuomehin was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) of the Federal University Agriculture, Abeokuta and later became the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University. As fate would have it, an Acting Vice-Chancellor and intimate friend of the former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Babatunde Kehinde presided over the Inaugural Lecture.

In appreciation of the Vice -Chancellor who he worked with as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Enikuomehin stated : “I also seize this opportunity to thank Prof. Olusola Bandele Oyewole (Secretary General, Association of African Universities) and his wife, Mrs. Bolanle Oyewole. Prof. Oyewole nominated me to Senate at different times to become DVC (D) and Ag. Vice Chancellor. While I worked as his DVC (D), Prof. Oyewole granted me the liberty to be myself and afforded me every opportunity to learn. I thank you Sir and once again rejoice with you that the Nigerian justice system vindicated you and God Himself has honoured you. To God be the glory.”

The Inaudible: The Management of Plant Afflictions with Endowments of Nature presented  by Enikuomehin, a Professor of Plant Pathology had generated great expectations from many both within and outside the academia. It was therefore not a surprise that the gathering was the melting point of people from different walks of life.

Enikuomehin, a wordsmith asserted that a disease is an abberation to both man and plants. According to him,   “ One of the life features that plants and animals share in common is the concept of disease – a situation where influences beyond the control of a body compel the entity to operate below its optimal potential.  In such situations, body functions are held down and overrun by the external agent that tends to violate the integrity of the body system by forcing its (external agents) preference on the body”.

 Speaking further, Enikuomehin, the Plant Doctor, established a distinction between man and plants.  “  However, unlike man, a diseased plant; is not audible – either they do not cry or when they do, we do not hear.”

“Cannot relocate away from the point of threat or move around to seek help, as men and animals would do”.

“The knowledge gained from the careful study of healthy and diseased plants have helped man to overcome the challenge of inaudibility and immobility of diseased plants.  Plants are getting protected anyhow!” Enikuomehin advanced.

Apparently laying credence to native intelligence, the Inaugural Lecturer asserted that “The art of saving plants from the siege orchestrated by the fungal pathogen is as old as man.  Recent advances have only helped to conceptualise these into understandable forms.  Hence, the different methods being used in the management of plant diseases can be seen in one or combination of three principles namely: Exclusion principle,  Protection principle and Eradication principle”.    

Arising from decades of his scientific findings  on identification of pathogens of crop plants, assessment and evaluation of plant diseases and use of plant products and intercropping (endowments of nature) as viable options in plant disease management , Enikuomehin posited that safeguarding  the plant health as well as preservation of the delicate elements of nature must be optimized.

 In his words : “In plant disease management, the use of the endowments of nature requires to be optimised to safeguard the plant health as well as preserve the delicate elements of nature.”

“The panacea to plant afflictions lie within the plant and its surroundings. Plant-based resources such as crude or fermented extracts and ash, ecosystem management practises like intercropping, plant population density and planting arrangements have been verified to protect plants from fungal diseases.”

There is no mincing words in stating that the Inaugural Lecturer is a carrier of the grace of God Almighty who  understands that his meteoric rise to stardom was orchestrated by God and nurtured by His creatures, the Endowments of nature.

Hear him : “My life right from conception has been a hallmark of God’s grace. For example, I was invited by Prof. T. O. Tayo to send in an application for job at University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) (then) without ever knowing a vacancy existed. Meanwhile, I needed a job then and was so financially indisposed that if I was requested to bring more than one copy of my Curriculum Vitae (CV) and credentials, I would not have attended the interview. Behold, at the interview, the system had made about 25 copies of my CV and credentials for panel members and all I had to do was answer questions. Suffice to note that the panel, in my view then, was too loaded for an applicant for the post of an Assistant Lecturer! Meanwhile, that was the UNAAB of our founding fathers.”

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ValidViewNetwork reports that behind his physically diminutive body is an engine that had traversed virtually all facets of the University since assumption of duty on July 24 1994. His statement, “ The people and the system have been kind to me” is an incontrovertible truth.

“The system provided me with opportunities to learn, grow and serve. I have had the grace to serve the University as Chairman, ASUU- UNAAB (2002 – 2004); Deputy Dean, COLPLANT (August 2004 – July 31, 2005); Ag. Head, Department of Crop Protection (August 1, 2005 – July 31, 2007); Congregation Representative in the Governing Council (February 2011 – January 2014); Dean, Postgraduate School (August 1, 2012 – January 6, 2016); Chairperson, Committee of Deans  & Directors (CODAD) (August 1, 2016 – January 6, 2017); Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development) (January 6, 2016 – May 23, 2017) and Ag. Vice Chancellor (May 24, 2017 – October 30, 2017). By these, I conclude that God has been so kind and good to me, and I owe him to ‘Love Him and my neighbours as myself’.  I trust God to continue to help me in this regard.”

“Eight years after my assumption of duty as an academic staff in this University, I got saddled with what I consider the first major challenge at giving leadership. I was elected the Chairman of my union, ASUU-UNAAB. Besides the opportunity it afforded me to serve, it also helped me to learn the rudiments of union principles, strategies and discipline as well as human resource management, all of which became useful in my later years of service in the University”

Enikuomehin is unarguably a man of many parts who exhibits a good grasp and mastery of his different persons in one incorruptible personality. He is a Comrade whose mastery of words and letters places him heights above his contemporaries. He is an astute administrator who has the letters and intents of rules, regulations and policy statements on his finger tips. He is a family man who has remained a lover boy to his beautiful wife and wonderful father to his children. He is a broad based personality who sees a bigger picture as could be seen in his “across board” acknowledgement rather than a jaundice view. He is a preacher who practices what he preaches and whose in-depth  teachings loaded with the hidden treasures in the infallible Word of God could glue the congregants to their seats for hours.

The unapologetic born again child of God who lives inside out was full of thanks to God Almighty, his parents and men who nurtured him to growth physically, academically and spiritually.

” I give thanks to God, the Creator of the heaven and earth for my conception and birth and then, re-birth in Christ Jesus. This new birth is the definition of my essence and the basis of my appreciation to God today. I thank God for the grace to present this lecture. To Him be all glory and honour in Jesus name, Amen. I thank my parents who gave me birth; His Royal Majesty, Late   Oba Robert Adeduro Enikuomehin JP and Olori Grace Aduke Enikuomehin. They gave me and my siblings all the care and support we needed to grow up to become what we are today. Words are definitely not enough to express my appreciation to my parents who gave everything they could muster to ensure I was well brought up and schooled. I thank God that my mother is still alive to witness this occasion”.

“I am a born – again Christian whose Christian walk has been helped by the unhindered access to God’s Word and spiritual tutelage that I received from the body of Christ.  Rock Foundation Church, Abeokuta is my spiritual home and I wish to acknowledge and thank Rev. Tunde and Rev. (Mrs.) Kemi Amosun, Senior Pastor and Assistant Senior Pastor respectively for helping me to grow in Christ. I joined the church sometimes in 1996, a few months after giving my life to Christ. It was at the invitation of Dr. Tunde Kehinde (as he then was) and my life has never been the same. I thank God for the grace to find this House of God to grow and in which to serve Him”.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta from inception has been blessed with Vice-Chancellors who have made tremendous contributions to the development of the University.

In appreciation of the former Vice-Chancellors, Enikuomehin stated :  “Vice Chancellor Sir, permit me to thank you and your predecessors for the sacrifices that have been variously deployed to make FUNAAB, the beacon of our fatherland. For the records, I wish to thank Prof. ‘Nimbe Adedipe (pioneer VC) and others namely, Emeritus Prof. Julius Okojie, Late Emeritus  Prof. Israel Adu, Prof. Ishola Adamson, Prof. Olufemi Balogun, Prof. Bandele Oyewole and Prof. Felix Salako. I have the privilege of working under all the Vice Chancellors in various capacities, all for which I am very thankful”.

Prof Enikuomehin is definitely not a man who would forget his humble beginning which is the custom of feeble minds. ” I also acknowledge the assistance and friendship of Prof. M. O. Atayese and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Bisi Atayese. The trio of Atayese (Murphy), Kehinde and Enikuomehin were the legendary “Murphy group” of COLPLANT, the impact of which could only be remembered by those present at that time. Prof. Tunde and Prof. (Mrs.) Funmi Idowu also played very significant roles in helping me to settle down. I recall the sumptuous meals that I often got invited to share in their home. I thank you all”.

In agreement with the saying that behind a successful man is a virtuous woman who is not moved by materialism but by endowments, “lover boy” Enikuomehin had this to say about his beautiful wife and staff of the University: “Mr. Acting Vice-Chancellor Sir, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, God’s mercy on me also manifested in granting to me the grace to have a peaceful home. God blessed me with a wife that is indeed a helper suitable for me. I, therefore, acknowledge with profound admiration, gratitude and joy, my wife Mrs. Idowu Olujoke Enikuomehin. She accepted to marry me when things were very lean and she has consistently been there to assist me to be this man standing before you! I thank you, Darling. I believe in God that your latter days will no doubt be more glorious than the former. With my wife, God granted to me, the grace of three children, Dr. James Morounfoluwa Enikuomehin, Miss Favour Iyunade Enikuomehin and Mr. Reward Adeoluwa Enikuomehin. All of you have been wonderful and I dare to say, in Him you are going to and will attain your destined heights in Jesus name, Amen. Thank you for making parenting a pleasant experience for us. To all present here, I thank you sincerely for the honour of your presence. Thank you for coming and for the patience to listen to my story.”

ValidViewNetwork reports that Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin was on all cylinders firing from beginning to the end displaying the virtues of a scientist cum orator and thereby electrifying the Ceremonial Building with ovations.