IITA Director General Dr. Nteranya Sanginga was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Aare Afurugbin Ola of the Source (Lead Sower of Wealth and Prosperity of the House Oduduwa) on 11 December in recognition of his outstanding contribution to agriculture, research, and development in Africa.
The conferment ceremony at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye, Ojaja II, highlighted the achievements of one of Africa’s illustrious sons who has contributed significantly to socio-economic development, especially in the area of agriculture on the continent.
In a statement issued by the IITA media office at the Institute’s headquarters in Ibadan, “Dr Sanginga, a citizen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who has spent a considerable part of his career in Nigeria, was conferred with the first international honorary chieftaincy by the Ooni (king), who is one of the most powerful and influential traditional rulers in Africa.”
“The chieftaincy title is coming at a time when Dr. Sanginga is also celebrating 10 years of displaying exceptional commitment to initiatives that have placed the African continent on the global stage, especially in the science, research, and agricultural space.
Providing smallholder farm families with innovations that promote increased production, food, and nutritional security as well as generating employment opportunities for young women and men in the in Africa”, said Kathy Lopez, IITA Head of Communication.
“With over 30 years of experience in agricultural research and development, focusing on areas such as applied microbial ecology, plant nutrition, and integrated natural resources management in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.’“Dr. Sanginga has worked as a researcher with the University of Zimbabwe, International Atomic Energy Agency in Austria, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of International Centre of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT-TSBF), and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); before resuming as Director General at IITA in 2011.”
Speaking at the event, IITA Ambassador, and former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said that the chieftaincy title is not only significant but also deserving of Dr. Sanginga, who he described as the Father of African Youth.
According to the 51st Oonirisa of Ile-Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye, Ojaja II, who sits in Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba people—the largest ethnic group in West Africa—the honorary chieftaincy title will strategically promote the socioeconomic and cultural ties between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, two of Africa’s most resource-rich countries.
Dr. Sanginga, who is the first African to head IITA, is a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) for advancing science in developing countries. He has been honored with several international awards like the International Foundation for Science Sven Brohult Award for contributions to agricultural and agroforestry research.
Several dignitaries graced the conferment ceremony, including former Governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja; Deputy Governor of Osun, Mr. Benedict Alabi; and Secretary to the Osun Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Princess Toyin Kolade, the Iyalaje Oodua; and members of the ruling council in Ile-Ife.
