Arrangements are in top gear for the delivery of the 53rd Inaugural Lecture of the University titled, “Grasses: Production and Management for Sustainable Livestock Industry”. Professor Olufemi Onifade of the Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), is to deliver the lecture on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at the FUNAAB Ceremonial Building, beginning at 2 pm. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, would be the Chairman at the occasion.
The lecture is expected to examine forage as an essential requisite for the growth, development and reproduction of ruminant animals and livestock with a population of over 76 million, as well as highlight the results and applications of the studies conducted on the propagation of pasture seeds, the establishment and management of forage species for conservation purposes and direct grazing by livestock. It would also give information on the status of grazing land in the country and offer suggestions that could reduce the conflicts between herdsmen and crop farmers. The Inaugural Lecturer noted that the differences in the vegetation across the country, make the availability of forage species in the natural pastures to vary throughout the year even though they are abundant during the rainy season, but not readily available during the dry season. In addition, the quantity and quality of the forage species are lower than those from sown pastures; nevertheless, the natural pastures that had been degraded could be managed and improved upon, to enhance higher animal production.
A Professor of Forage Agronomy and Utilisation, Professor Onifade’s research interest covers the evaluation of agronomic and grazing management strategies for pasture production and management. According to the Don, for the country to increase local production of meat, milk, mutton, veal, hides and skins and to have enough to export, it was important that the animals producing these products were adequately fed, so as to bring about an increase in the quantity of animal protein intake by the citizens and providing income for the teeming unemployed youths.
Professor Onifade bagged his Bachelor of Science, Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He has supervised over 90 undergraduate projects, 20 M.Agric Dissertations and four PhD Theses. He had served the University in several capacities, some of which include: Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS), 2013 – 2014; Dean, Student Affairs, 2012 – 2013; Acting Head, Department of Pasture and Range Management, 2000 – 2004; Member, Curriculum Committee, 2001 – 2004; Deputy Dean, COLANIM, 2005 – 2009; Chairman, University Loans Committee, 2007 – 2008 and External Examiner for Postgraduate Students at the University of Ibadan, ABU and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. The Inaugural Lecturer belongs to several professional bodies and learned societies, some of which include the Animal Science Association of Nigeria; Society for Grassland Research and Development; Nigerian Institute of Animal Scientists (NIAS) and Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), among others.