My name is OLALEKAN Olawale Jubril, a PhD AgSE student in Crop and Pasture Production, Plant Breeding option specifically, 2016/2017 cohorts with matriculation number PG/16/1/0533. I am a Nigerian with a passion to contribute my quota to national development in my own little way.
My decision to pursue a PhD AgSE programme under Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE) was motivated by the need to be exposed and mentored on environmentally-smart agricultural trainings and innovations. The fact that the centre aims to achieve research excellence in agricultural productivity in the face of climate change challenges positioned it for relevance in today’s world. Part of the trainings and teaching had encapsulated internationally and economically relevant course work in individual student chosen field some of which are French appreciation, Climate Change and Agriculture, International Trade and Economic Policy and Agricultural Knowledge Management which in no small way had enhanced my knowledge. The Industry-based internship program had contributed to my practical hands-on experience exponentially.
I hold a Bachelor of Agriculture Degree second class upper division in Plant Breeding and Seed Technology, from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State. My training was broad–based, covering different areas of agriculture. In a bid to achieve professionalism in my chosen agricultural discipline, I bagged a Master of Agriculture (M. Agric.) degree in Plant Breeding from the same university. I had worked as a graduate Ad-Hoc staff and Library Shelver in (FUNAAB) during the course of my post graduate programme and as a Project Manager (Ctis Global Ltd) where I managed cashew plantation, Plantain, Cassava and Maize cultivation. I believe that my acquired skills will be valuable asset to the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of any organization.
I have excellent data management skill and my academic trainings have developed in me, requisite skills to begin a successful career both in the industry and research environments.
Furthermore, I work well with people in a team. My excellent team spirit is evidenced by my involvement in other studies beside my academic research.
I look forward to experiencing more exciting time as I forged ahead in my research work under the tutelage of the centre’s supervisory staff. It has been both a privilege and pleasure being one of the students of CEADESE so far.