For Prof. Adebukunola Mobolaji Omemu, an erudite academic of no mean repute, who delivered the 90th Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on Wednesday, the word “change” aptly characterized her very impressive academic trajectory spanning 28 years.
Here was a young budding academic who touched the soil of the University as a Graduate Assistant in 1995 after enrolling as a Master’s student, armed with a Bsc in Microbiology from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. All she had in mind was expanding the frontiers of knowledge of the microbial world, specializing in that field.
But change happened to her beyond her wildest imagination. Today, Prof Omemu who is the current Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology, FUNAAB, has moved through several turns and twists from one Department to another and even traversing three Colleges in the process.
The title of her presentation held at the expansive Oluwafemi Balogun Ceremonial Building, Safe Journey of Food From Farm-To-Fork , says it all.
Omemu tells the story herself: “I want to echo it that change has been a constant companion in my career journey. Mr Vice Chancellor Sir, “My journey is a reminder that our lives and careers are not necessarily bound by our initial paths but are shaped by our willingness to learn, adapt, and embrace changes.
“By Embracing my change, I discovered the joy of learning and the excitement of challenging myself. Now, I know that my expertise as a microbiologist transcends departmental lines. Anywhere I find myself, it’s an opportunity to make an impact.
“I came into FUNAAB as an MSc student and eventually graduated in 1997. But, I already began my career in 1995 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences. I later moved to the Department of Microbiology when the Department had to stand on its own.
“At that point, I already envisioned my entire career in the Department of Microbiology, but another change came in 2012. I was seconded to the Department of Food Service and Tourism, I resisted this change, I wanted to remain in my comfort zone. But I eventually moved to the Department of Food Service and Tourism where I immediately assumed the role of Head of Department.
“While still trying to find my bearing in this new space, another change came calling in 2013 and this resulted in the renaming of the Department to Hospitality and Tourism. It is important to note that all these transitions for me came with lots of questions and uncertainties.
“”Though I am still on the journey, but despite the twists and turns, I have experienced many firsts. Right from been the first M.sc student of FUNAAB, first HOD, Hospitality and Tourism; first Professor from the Department of Hospitality and Tourism. first female Deputy Dean, Postgraduate School, first female Dean, Student Affairs, first Professor from the Department of Hospitality and Tourism serving as the Dean, COLFHEC. And Today, I am honored to stand here as the first Professor from HTM to present an inaugural lecture. To God alone be all the glory”
Omemu, an indigene of Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State who got married to a Bayelsa State-born Pastor Clement Amieyefa Omemu, said her passion to research in the area of food safety and influence of food handlers was inflamed when she saw first hand how fruit salads were made in the midst of very unhygienic environment around old Oshodi in Lagos.
To her, food, is indispensable for survival and well-being but when food is contaminated it becomes unsafe.
Omemu gave a scary statistics, citing World Health Organization global report: Unsafe food is known to contribute to over 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhea to cancer.
According to WHO, on a yearly basis, an estimated 600 million people fall ill after eating contaminated food, leading to 420,000 deaths out of which 125,000 are children below five years. Notably, about 75% of these deaths occur in South Asia, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
Coming home to Nigeria, Each year in Nigeria, over 200,000 individuals lose their lives as a result of consuming unsafe food. She concluded that Food, if it is not safe, is not food.
Earlier in his introductory remarks, Vice-Chancellor, FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Olusola kehinde who doubled as Chairman of the Inaugural Lecture, lauded Prof. Omemu for her notable contributions to the University,
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