The Executive Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Prof. Veronica Obatolu has been honoured as a lifetime member of the Organisation For Women In Science For The Developing World (OWSD).
Renowned scientists and female heads of tertiary institutions gathered at the University of Ibadan, venue of the first Biennial Conference of and Maiden Edition of Early Career Workshop on September 4 Obatolu was honoured.
The theme of the programme: Women In Science: Sustaining The Future Through Education, Innovation and Technology took place at the faculty of science auditorium and women in Science from the South Western States gathered together.
While speaking at the event, the keynote speaker Prof.Lilian Imuetiyan Salami, Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, commended the OWSD for putting the programme together, especially in this era of inspirational vacuum which according to her will encourage the upcoming youths to embrace science as their core course.
She also called on the Federal Government to support science-oriented innovations as the major way of improving the Nation’s economy and improving technological innovations.
Professor Veronica Adeoti Obatolu (MINS, MNSN, MNS (UK), MNSA) who bagged a lifetime member of the OWSD is a Professor of Human Nutrition, who believes in “eating to nourish the body” and not ‘feeding the body’. Professor Veronica is the first female Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ibadan since over 50 years of its establishment.
Over the past 25 years, Professor Obatolu has conducted series of studies on Value-Added products from grains and legumes with emphasis on protein and their phytochemical ingredients.
Her vast working experience as a Food Nutritionist in the University-based IAR&T has enhanced her knowledge in dietary pattern analysis and food chain modeling to design healthy food products, looking at different points of the food production chain modeling from raw materials to consumer satisfaction.
Professor Veronica is a prolific writer with over 50 publications in several reputable international peer reviewed learned journals.
She has earned recognition and several international Honours through her research experience, including the US National Marine Fisheries Services Post-doctoral Award and Phi Tu Sigma Award from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Maine, Orono.
She is a member of multi-national research hub on food security within the UN-Habitat Partnership University Initiative and a 2011 mentor of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) of CVIAR.
Locally, she has been recognized with a special award by the Oyo State Agricultural Development Farmers’ Association owing to her contribution to agricultural development and empowerment of farmers, especially in Southwest, Nigeria. In addition, Prof. Veronica was conferred the Transparency Africa Honor and presented a Corruption-free Certificate by the Transparency Africa Organisation, as well as an Exemplary Leadership Award by the Ethics and Value Community Organization in 2023 and 2024 respectively, all of which gave credence to her selfless and impactful service as a leader within and outside the Institute.
While speaking at the event the South West coordinator of the OWSD Prof.Adenike Olaseinde disclosed that the programme which is a collaboration with the Oyo State Government through its women affairs ministry stated that education is the foundation to a better life and urged the young invited secondary school students to work hard to be successful in life while also advising parents to ensure that all girls child have access to better and quality education which will enable them to be creative.
The OSWD coordinator in Ibadan, Professor Aina Adeogun stated that the group will continue to discuss matters of international repute.
“as we embark on this journey, let us acknowledge the great women who have paved the way for us in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” she said.
“Their unwavering commitment to knowledge and discovery serves as an inspiration to us all”.
She noted that the event was not to celebrate the women alone but to also reinforce their collective efforts, mission to empower women in science and ensure that their contributions are recognised, valued and amplified. Professor Obatolu was accompanied to the programme with members of the Institute’s management, Prof Oluwatosin, Prof Akinbode and other female scientists of the Institute.
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