Emmanuel Ademola Akinsola

Dr. Emmanuel Ademola Akinsola was born on June 23, 1939 to Pa. Daniel Deji Akinsola and Ma Maria Agbeke Akinsola of Ile Ipako, Oke’lerin, Ogbomoso (both of blessed memory). He is the fifth of seven children - six boys and one girl. His mother hailed from Ile Aare Onibon, Isale Laka, Ogbomoso. His father died on 21st May, 1972 while the mother passed away on 15th December, 1987. He was born at Oguta, Eastern Region in the present Imo State of Nigeria where the parents, being traders, were residing at the time. He started primary school at St. Paul’s CMS School, Oguta II and completed it at St. Mary’s CMS School, Oguta I in 1953. His immediate elder brother, Adetutu was in Form Three in the secondary school at that time. Since the parents could not maintain two children in the secondary school at the same time, little Ademola was sent to his eldest brother, a business man in Kumasi, Gold Coast (now Ghana) in December, 1953. He together with his colleagues wrote applications for employment as messengers to such companies as CFAO, PZ and UAC, but he was unsuccessful, probably because of his smallish stature then. It did not take long before his brother’s friends remarked that “this boy of yours has no flair for business”. Ademola himself was quite well aware of that fact but under the circumstances, what else? It was at that period that he developed a very strong and deep faith in the goodness and love of God. He prayed incessantly for God’s intervention in his affairs. Meanwhile, he maintained regular correspondence with his immediate elder brother, Adetutu, who completed his secondary school in 1955 and took up a teaching appointment. Brother Adetutu requested that Ademola be sent back to him in Nigeria. He arranged with the Principal of the school where he was teaching, Priscilla Memorial Grammar School (PMGS) Oguta for admission. When Ademola arrived in April 1958, the school was in the second term and there was no vacancy in Form One. He had to join them in Form Two. Needless to say that some difficulties became inevitable coping with the classmates who had over a year of exposure to all subjects. Of particular note was the subject, Latin. After sometime, the authorities graciously exempted him from that subject thereby allowing him more time to face other important subjects. At school, he later became a Prefect and the President of the Students’ Christian Movement (SCM). He completed the school certificate course in 1961. Immediately after the examinations and before the results came out, he was employed by the school as a Tutor. In 1962, he took the entrance examination to the University of Ibadan and was offered admission to read Agriculture. Without any sponsorship, brother Adetutu encouraged him to proceed to Ibadan. After the first term, he got a letter from his Alma Mater, Priscilla Memorial Grammar School, Oguta, offering to sponsor him under the condition that he changed his course to one of the sciences as Agriculture was not being taught in most secondary schools then. Ademola decided to change to Zoology. He was one of the seven students who graduated B.Sc (Hons) Zoology, University of Ibadan in 1966. On graduation, he was to serve the sponsoring school for a number of years and he proceeded to Priscilla Memorial Grammar School, Oguta. Soon, the political turmoil in the country started and there were killings in the North. Uprisings were also starting in the Eastern Region. One night, the Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu made a broadcast to the effect that he could no longer guarantee the safety of non-indigenes. At first, Ademola did not take it seriously but all the same, the following morning he approached his Principal who said “you are one of us here, nothing will happen to you, but I shall give you two weeks to travel home and assure your parents that you are safe”. He provided transport and a police escort who took him across the River Niger to Asaba. Ademola stayed at Ogbomoso and continued to correspond with the Principal. Meanwhile tension began to escalate until it was no longer possible to communicate. The civil war had started. Ademola briefly took up a teaching appointment at St. Theresa’s College, Ibadan in 1967 before joining the Federal Department of Agricultural Research (FDAR) now National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) in December 1967. He was posted to Rice Research Station, Badeggi near Bida as Entomologist. On a Ford Foundation scholarship, he proceeded to the University of the Philippines, Los Banos for a Masters degree in November, 1970. His research was conducted at the reputable International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Los Banos, Phillippines. He returned to Nigeria with the family in January, 1973. After a short period at Badeggi, he was posted back to the headquarters, Moor Plantation, Ibadan. He was then able to register for and complete his PhD degree at the University of Ibadan under the supervision of the late Prof. T. Ajibola Taylor in 1979. At Moor Plantation, Dr. Akinsola was the head of the Rice Programme of the National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP) until 1980 when he joined the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA), Monrovia, Liberia. In 1984, he was one of the senior scientists deployed to start a new WARDA station in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire which later became the new headquarters. His services at WARDA ended in 1990. Back to Nigeria, he was engaged in consultancies with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). In 1992 he joined the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) on contract as a Senior Lecturer. The contract at the University terminated in 2002. After retirement, he got engaged with some colleagues in an NGO known as Small Holders in Agricultural Research and Extension Foundation (SHARE Foundation). He had to withdraw from the NGO in 2006 due to health challenges. Dr. Akinsola served as a member of Church Council, All Saints’ Church, Jericho, Ibadan from 1992 to 2001 as Assistant Treasurer and Secretary. During the period, to the glory of God, the church recorded notable developments. These include the commencement of creativity and variety in worship, establishment of All Saints’ College and All Saints’ Memorial Park and Gardens. He is a member of All Saints’ Church Men’s Bible Study Fellowship. Dr. Akinsola got married to then Miss Alice Oladunni Afolabi on 1st March, 1969. She is highly responsible, very frank, energetic and hardworking. She is also a very caring wife and mother, and a good organizer. She has been a very appropriate helpmate and has played the necessary complementary role which in all intents and purposes has resulted in what might be considered a well-knit and coherent family. The marriage is blessed with five wonderful children – Adegoke, Adebayo, Adeniyi, Adeyinka and Adebukola. They are all grown up and are making their mark in their chosen professions. Dr. & Mrs. E. A. Akinsola also have wonderful grandchildren. Today, the Akinsola family is giving glory to Almighty God for a blessed and fulfilled life. It is all by His special grace. PRAISE THE LORD!