The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), has commended the management, staff, and students of the Faculty of Agriculture for their commitment to upholding and improving the tradition of the jetty fish harvest and farm produce market day.
Prof. Egbewole gave the commendation last Tuesday (February 4, 2025) while speaking at the second edition of the jetty fish harvest and farm produce market day at the Unilorin Lakeside.
He lauded the Faculty for not only maintaining the initiative but also for expanding its scope by integrating a market component into the fish harvest activity.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that such activities provide students with practical training opportunities, allow them to apply their academic knowledge in real-life agricultural and business settings. He expressed optimism that the initiative would continue to be sustained and improved annually.
While expressing hope that the Faculty would sustain the tradition, the Vice-Chancellor said, “It is my hope that we will continue to sustain this process and improve on it year by year. We should scale up this harvest by designing a competition around it, such that what we have in the Argungu Fishing Festival can be replicated in our University”.
Earlier in her remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Oluyemisi Fawole, expressed appreciation to the University Management for its continued support to the Faculty in sustaining the jetty fish harvest and farm produce market day.
Prof. Fawole, who stated that last year’s event featured jetty fish harvesting and farm produce market day, said this year’s edition introduced a new dimension by fully integrating the fish harvest and farm produce market into a single event.
The Dean explained that the expanded format allowed various departments within the Faculty to showcase and sell their produce. “It is a two-in-one event”, she said, adding, “We will have the fish harvest and will be selling farm produce from our different departments”.
According to Prof. Fawole, “The Agronomy Department will sell their crops, the Animal Production Department will offer beef, eggs, and other produce from their units, and the Aquaculture Department will showcase some fish products. Additionally, the Home Economics and Food Science Department will present a variety of products made by the students.”
The Dean, however, reaffirmed the commitment of the Faculty to making the event an annual festival, emphasising the importance of hands-on learning and agribusiness exposure for students. She expressed gratitude to the University Management for providing the necessary support and resources to the Faculty to ensure the success of the event.
In a chat with UNILORIN Bulletin, an Academic Technologist from the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Mr Abdullahi Adams, listed the fish species found in the lake, to include Heterotis (commonly known as Bali in Hausa), Heterobranchus species, and Mormyrus rume species, among others.
Joining the Vice Chancellor at the event were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye; the Registrar, Mr Mansur Alfanla: the Bursar, Mr Biodun Lawal; and the University Librarian, Prof Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa, among others.
