Saturday 6th Nov 2021:The Executive Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T),Moor Plantaintion,Ibadan, Prof. (Mrs.) Veronica Obatolu,was on thursday conferred with the Distinguished Merit Award of Excellence by Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
The colourful award ceremony which took place at the Felicia hall, Jogor centre,Ibadan was a prestigious one as it had all the big wigs of the Accountaining profession , Policy makers, Entertainment, Seceurity experts and other well meaning Nigerians in attendance.
Prof.Obatolu an exceptionally proficient Research Scientist with over 30 years of experience in food and nutrition research was recognised for her immense contributions to humanity and for how she has lifted many out of poverty through various trainings,teachings and workshops at the institute.
She has gained recognition in her work and has received international honours such as; US NationalMarine Fisheries Services Post-doctoral Award and Phi Tau Sigma Award,Department of food science and Nutrition, University of Maine,orono,USA amongst others.
The mother of 3 is a member of a multi-national research hub on food security within the UN-habitat Partnership Universities Initiative and a 2011 mentor of African Women in Agricultural Research and development (AWARD) of the CGIAR.
Prof. Obatolu is a member of the International Nutrition Society,Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN),the Nutrition Society (UK),and Nigerian Soybean Association (NSA).
With over 50 publications in several reputable international peers reviewed learned journals such as Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism,The International Journal of Applied and Basic Nutrition Science,Journal of Biological Sciences,Journal of food and Agriculture and many others.
She is presently the first female female Executive Director and CEO of IAR&T,Ibadan of its over 50years of establishment.
The prestigious award set aside for Individuals and Organizations who have contributed to manpower and Enterprise development was conferred on her by the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria,Mrs Comfort Eyitayo mni.FCA. with several other topshots of ICAN there present.
Organizers of the Award Ceremony ,(ICAN) Ibadan,had disclosed earlier in a release that it is an annual event to encourage awardees to do more for humanity most especially in activities that lift the lives of people out of poverty in their community, organizations and the nation at large.
Other notable awardees of the night include; Dr.Makanjuola Ojewunmi,Prof.Labode Popoola phd.Oyo State Police Commissioner,CP Ngozi Onadeko psc.,Dr.Mrs.Olutosin Elemide,Engr.Dotun Sanusi,Dr.Mrs. Elizabeth Augustus amongst others.
The Head,Agric.Entrepreneurship Developtment Centre, Prof. (Mrs)B.O. Lawal represented the Executive Director at award ceremoney thanked the organisers for the awad and promised that the recipient will always strive harder in her pursuit for a better humanity.
