PROF. Rufus Oladokun Adegboye, a retired Professor of Agricultural Economics is dead. He died on Friday April 5, 2013, at 82 years.
Born on May 17, 1930, the late Adegboye started his educational career at Saint Paul’s School, Gbongan, Osun State before proceeding to Oduduwa College Ile-Ife from 1945 to 1951. He worked briefly with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) before embarking on further studies.
Adegboye gained admission to the Central State University, Ohio, United States of America in 1956 where he obtained a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Ohio State University, Ohio, USA, before proceeding to lowa State University, Iowa, USA, where he obtained his Doctorate degree in Agricultural Economics in 1964.
He started his working career as a Temporary Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Organisation (now Agricultural Economics), University of Ibadan in October 1964. In 1966, he was promoted Lecturer above the bar and appointed a Senior Lecturer on July 1, 1967; Reader, October 1973 and Professor in October, 1975. As a pioneer Staff in the Department of Agricultural Economics, he provided dedicated service to teaching, research and nurturing of students of the Department.
The late Adegboye contributed to university administration. He was a member of the University Senate (1967-1998); Joint Council Committee on Honorary Degrees (1985-1997); member, Senate Committee for the Institute of African Studies (1971-76) and (1980-84); member, University of Ibadan Council (1974-75 and 1979); Head of Department of Agricultural Economics (1978-1981) and the Dean Faculty of Agriculture and Forest (1984-1986).
He also served as Assistant Warden, Acting Warden and Warden, Sultan Bello Hall between 1965 and 1974. Prof. Adegboye also spent some of his working years with the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife Osun State, where he served as Professor and Head of Department from 1975 to 1978. Between 1968 and 1975, he was a member of t he Self-Help Committee of the Western State of Nigeria; member of the Local Government Advisory Council, Osun State; and Chairman, Oyo State Land Use Allocation Committee in 1990. He facilitated the acquisition of 500 acres of land for the Faculty at Ile-Ogbo in 1985. He retired meritoriously from the university’s service in 1998 having attained the stipulated retirement age.
The late Adegboye was an authority in Land and Resource Economics. In recognition of his academic excellence, he was elected Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences in 1989 and elected Vice President (Western Africa) of the Academy in 1995-1998. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Ibadan until his demise. He was the recipient of several fellowships and a member of many professional bodies including society for International Development, Association for the Advancement of Agricultural Science in Africa and International Association of Agricultural Economists.
He is survived by wife, children, grandchildren and a community of Gbongan people who loved him and were dearly loved by him.
May his gentle soul rest in peace, Amen.
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