ARIBISALA Sunday Theophilus Babatunde

Theophilus Sunday Babatunde, Aribisala - Ekarun of Aare in Ibadan, O.F.R., O.B.E., D.Sc. in Agriculture (Ife), holder of Honorary Certificate of Wisconsin University for unselfish services to the farm, home and community, Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Honorary Member of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists.

Born on 25 June, 1916 at Ibadan, Dr. Aribisala had his secondary school education at Government College Ibadan from 1932 to 1937 and was later trained in Agriculture in the Higher College, Yaba, 1938-1941, Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad, West Indies, 1945-46 and Cambridge University, 1953-54.

With this background, he made unique contributions to national and international development in the field of agriculture over the years. His dedication to his field, his concern for appropriate change, his recognition that the wellbeing of this country rests upon Agriculture led to his formulation of new policies. His professional activities at Moor Plantation School of Agriculture between 1948 and 1954 constituted a landmark in the history of agricultural development in Nigeria. He trained farmers and their trainers in the new techniques which led to significant improvement in the quality and quantity of cocoa and this led to tripling cocoa production between 1952 and 1962.

Dr. Aribisala rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary and Controller of Agricultural Services with responsibility for forestry, produce inspection, animal health and fisheries before he retired from the services of the then Western Region of Nigeria.

In 1968, he joined the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) as Deputy Director and Chief of Operations of Agricultural Services Division with responsibility for Agricultural Projects in developing countries. He rose to become the Director of Agricultural Services Division in 1970 and served the organisation for 10 years. While in the FAO, he earned Bulgaria highest medal for the promotion of peace and understanding.

In 1980, T.S.B. Aribisala was appointed as the Chief Consultant of the National Committee on the Green Revolution carrying out studies and reviews in Agriculture with a view to achieving self- sufficiency in food production by 1985 and rehabilitation of export produces by 1987.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions and major landmarks achieved in the Agricultural Sector of the country and the world at large, the Nigerian National Merit Award was conferred on Dr Sunday Theophilus Aribisala in 1983.