AYO Edward Olajide

SCHOOL NUMBER: 

778

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Edward Olajide Ayo was born on 25th March 1939 in Osogbo.

He attended Government College, Ibadan (October 1952 - December 1959), University of Mandalay, Mandalay (1961 - 1964), Pennsylvania State University, United States of America (1964 - 1966), University of Economic Science, Berlin, Germany (1981 - 1984).

He holds a B.Sc. (Agriculture) with specialization in Agricultural Economics (1964), M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics) with specialization in International Trade (1966), Ph.D. in Economic Development (1984); Diploma in French Language (1969), Diploma in Economic Development (1971), Diploma in Advanced Management (1976), Certificate in Development Planning (1981) and Certificate in Financial Analysis and Management (1982).

He was a United Nations Scholar for his first degree and was one of the best four students who received Special Honours in his University for the first degree, he was awarded a Graduate Research Assistantship for his Master of Science Degree, His Master of Science Degree Thesis entitled Negotiation for International Cocoa Agreement: Economic Analysis of Reasons for Failure was selected as the best in the University in 1966 and was sent for National Award in the United States of America.

The thesis was later published by the Pennsylvania State University. He was a German Government Scholar for his Doctorate Degree. His thesis at the Ph.D. level in Economic Development at the University of Economic Science, Berlin, Germany was adjudged as the best and was awarded the highest class of Magna Cum Lauder in 1984.

He started as a Graduate Research Assistant (1964 - 1966) at the Pennsylvania State University, USA as a result of his academic performance at the Pennsylvania State University at the Master of Science Degree Level; he was appointed a Research Associate in 1966.

He joined the Federal Civil Service as Assistant Secretary/Planning Officer, Federal Ministry of Economic Development (1966 - 1970) and rose to Director of Planning (1980 - 1988) Grade Level 17 on Personal Merit.

It is pertinent to note that he spent 22 years in the National Planning Office and had the singular opportunity of being the longest serving planning officer (1966-1988) and participated in the formulation and execution of five National Development Plans, as the most senior Director in the National Planning Office, he co-ordinated the activities of all the Sectors comprising Utilities, Social Services, Macro-economics, Industry and Transport for a period of four years before his appointment as a Director-General. He served as

Director-General in the Economic Affairs Office in the Presidency (1988— 1989)

Director-General, Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructures (1989 — 1990)

Director-General, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (March — November1990) and Acting Minister in the Ministry from July — November1990.

Director-General, Ecological Funds Office in the Presidency (Nov. 1990 to Feb.
1994)

Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces awarded him in 1986 Grade Level 17, an equivalent of the post of Permanent Secretary on Personal Merit for Distinguished Performance in the National Planning Office.

He was one of the first to be honoured as a Fellow of the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

He was instrumental to the establishment of:

i The Nigerian Agricultural and Co-operative Bank where he later became a Director for six years.

ii All River Basin Development Authorities.

He served as a Director on the Boards of the following:
- Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority
- Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority
- Hadejia-Jarmaare River Basin Development Authority
- Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority
- Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority
- Chad Basin Development Authority
- Delta Basin Development Authority

iii. Nigerian Railway Corporation

iv. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

v. Nigerian Airways Corporation

vi. National Electric Power Authority

vii Nigerian Ports Authority

viii Onigbolo Cement Company (Joint Venture between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin)

ix. Nigerian Grains Production Company

x. Nigerian Grains Board

xi. Nigerian Roots Production Company

xii. Savannah Sugar Company Limited.

He is a member of the Governing Council of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. He is also a member of the Nigerian Economic Society, a Fellow of the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank, a Fellow of the Institute of Financial Analysis in Laussane, Switzerland and a Fellow of the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

While in service he headed the Delegation of Vice-Chancellors of Nigeria’s Universities of Agriculture to the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S. A.; Michigan State University East Lansing; University State Agency for International Development (USAID); United State Department of Agriculture (USDA); and the Office of International Co-operation and Development of the USDA to study the operations of the Land-Grant System in the United States and to seek technical assistance for a successful take-off of Nigeria’s Agricultural Universities based on the applicable lessons of experience of the Land-Grant System.

He also headed the Nigerian Delegation to the 9th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization Council held in Rome in November 1990.

He has been involved in Ccnsultancy services in Agriculture, Economics, Finance and General Management (June 1994 to date). He is a Consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank.

For his services to his community, he was honoured with two Chieftaincy titles as follows:
Otun Ashipa of Osogbo in Osun State (1981) and Ataiyese of Igede in Ekiti State (1989).

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