....Farmers' Association Honours Scientists
Cassava breeder and geneticist at the Cassava Unit of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA and his wife Busie Maziya-Dixon food technologist also of IITA were conferred with Chieftaincy titles of _Balogun Agbe_ and _Iyalaje_ of Ikoyi land by the farmers of the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association (NCGA).
The ceremony was performed by the Olukoyi, Oba Yisau Oyetunji Otunla Kodaoul in his palace, with the presence of Oba Yisau Oyetunji Otunla, Onikoyi of Ikoyiland, in the presence of the Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honorable Sikiru Olatunbossun who represented the State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Speaking on the occasion, Oba Olukoyi highlighted the virtues expected from those who are honoured with chieftaincy titles by his council of high chiefs and other leaders of the community. The Oba maintained that both Alfred and Busie who were recommended by the President and members of the Cassava Growers Association, _have been thoroughly investigated and found qualified and worthy of the awards through their contributions to the well being and development of the livelihoods of rural people of Nigeria_.
The new chiefs were later presented with instruments of office which included akoko leaves (the leaves are sacred and used only for the purpose of installing chiefs and kings in Yoruba land), stuck underneath the beaded cap of Alfred and headgear of Busie respectively. There were also strings of coral beads won as neck lace, and on their wrists, a beaded white horse tail for Alfred, (only carried by male chiefs), and certificates of the titles duly signed by the Olukoyi and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Osun State. The akoko leaves and the certificate according to the Olukoyi, are meant to be kept and treasured for future references and other purposes
In response, Balogun Agbe (Dr. Dixon) made his gratitude known to the governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Olukoyi of Ikoyiland, Oba Yisau Otunla, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter, Hon. Sikiru Olatunbosun, President of Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Chief Tola Adepomola, all Chief present, Scientist and all well wishers, who witnessed the event.
He said, when he came to Nigeria, he did not bargain to be come a chief, but to work as a researcher, adding that he was delighted that his work at IITA had impacted positively on the lives of people, which earned him recognition by Nigerian cassava farmers. and now he and his wife were both given a Chieftaincy title. He then dedicated the honour to all cassava farmers, food processors, breeders, scientist not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole.
To further appreciate the honor done him and his wife by the Ikoyi land community has done for his family, he promised to establish a Cassava Processing Centre for the use of women in the Ikoyi community and requested a piece of land to carry out this assignment in the near future.
In response to Balogun Agbes request, the Olukoyi chiefs assure him a land anytime he is ready to start the project work.
IITA representative at the ceremony were, Dr. S. Blade DDG, Dr. A. Menkir, Dr. R. Asiedu, Mrs. V. Waiyaki, Mr. Babaleye, all Cassava Unit staff, Friends and Colleagues.
Several other members of the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association and all stakeholders present on the occasion read good will messages to express their joy with the Dixons
|
