He had his elementary education at Christ School, Oka-Akoko between 1955 and 1960, and later proceeded to African Church Grammar School, Oka-Akoko between 1961 and 1965 for his secondary education and graduated in the first division in the West African School Certificate Examination. He also attended Victory College, Ikare-Akoko between 1966 and 1967 for his Higher School Certificate and graduated in flying colours.
In 1968 after teaching briefly in his Alma mater, African Church Grammar School, he proceeded to University of Ibadan for a degree in Geology, but he later changed his course to Zoology.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
He graduated in 1971 as the best student in the department with Second Class Upper division which was very rare in the Zoology department in University of Ibadan at that time. As a result of his excellent performance, he was admitted to pursue his Doctorate degree programme in that same department. In 1975, Ajayi Boroffice bagged a Ph.D. degree in Genetics. In 1978, he proceeded to University of Newcastle - Upon Time for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in Human Genetics.
During his secondary school education, Robert was on the then Western State Scholarship. In the undergraduate programme, he was on West-German government scholarship and for his graduate studies; he enjoyed the Bulgarian government grant. As a Post-Doctorate Research Fellow, he enjoyed Inter-University Council Fellowship Award.
Professor Boroffice started his academic career at the University of Ibadan as Lecturer II in 1975. He served on various Committees and in several capacities while in the University of Ibadan. These include among others:
House Allocation Committee
• Chairman Business Committee of the school Senate
• Secretary of the University Congregation
• Assistance hall warden, Kuti hall
He was invited in 1985 to assist in the academic development of the Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos. He left University of Ibadan in 1985 as Senior Lecturer and in 1986 he became a Professor of Zoology at the Lagos State University.
POST HELD WHILE PRACTICING
While in Lagos State University, he served in various capacities which among others are:
• Head, Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences
• Dean, Faculty of Sciences
• Chairman Committee of Deans
• Chairman University Examination Committee
• Chairman Staff Welfare Committee
• Chairman LASU Staff School PTA
• Chairman Chapel Committee, Chapel of Light, Lagos State University
• Chairman Board of Trustees, Chapel of Light Lagos State University.
Professor Boroffice served on various boards among which are:
• Ondo State Scholarship Board
• Chairman, Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti
• Member, Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research
• Member, Governing Board of Nigerian Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Abuja
• Member, Governing Council of Lagos State University
• Chairman Board of Directors, Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited.
In 1992, he was invited to join the staff of the National Agency for Science and Engineering and Infrastructure (NASENI) as the Coordinating Director of Science and given the responsibility of developing programmes in High-Tech. Between 1992 and 2000, he was able to develop programmes in Space Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Information and Communication Technology, and eventually midwifed three agencies in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology namely:
• National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)
• National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA)
• National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
He was appointed the pioneer Director-General and Chief Executive of NASRDA in 1999. In the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, he proved himself to be an excellent administrator. He represented Nigeria on several international organisations which include:
• United Nations Committee on Science and Technology for Development
• United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
• Committee on Earth Observation Satellites.
Today, the name of Professor Robert Ajayi Boroffice is bold in the evolution of Space Science and Technology in Nigeria and Africa. He has created a collection of monuments in the field of Space Science and Technology, and one cannot but be fascinated by his lifestyle and monumental achievements. Under his guidance and leadership, NASRDA became the fastest growing space agency in the world. He successfully developed from a virgin land to what is now a pride of Africa - Obasanjo Space Centre. In addition to the physical infrastructure on ground, he pursued aggressively capacity building in all areas of Space Science and Technology. Thus, the agency can now boast of over 150 Space Scientists trained in different parts of the world.
The highlights of his achievement in NASRDA include:
The successful launch of a low Earth Orbit Micro-satellite code named NigeriaSat-1 in 2003. The first of its kind in the black world.
The successful launch of Geostationary Orbit Communication Satellite code named NigcomSat-1 in 2007. The first in the black world.
The manufacture of NigeriaSat-2, a 300kg Earth Observation Satellite with a 2.5m resolution in the panchromatic band and 5m in the multispectral band- this was launched in 2011 by his successor.
The manufacture of Nigeriasat-X, that was later launched in 2011 by his successor.
Telemedicine network linking six Federal Medical Centres with two Teaching Hospitals in the country
Tele-education network linking via satellite, the National Open University of Nigeria Lagos with 13 other study centres across the country.
R. A Boroffice service to his community includes youth empowerment through skill acquisition and employment and provision of boreholes in various communities in Akoko.
RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND
He is a practicing Christian and a complete gentleman, highly dedicated and very proactive in Christian activities. An elder in the New Covenant Church, Abuja, and a life member of Gideon’s International; a life member of the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International, and a President and co-founder of Gaius Ministry.
AWARDS
For his academic excellence and service to his community, state, nation and humanity, Professor Boroffice has received many awards which include:
• Officer of the Order of Niger, OON
• Full member of International Academy of Astronautics
• Distinguished Scientist Award by the Science Association of Nigeria
• Environment Award by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
• Achiever Award by Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko
• Excellent in Science Award by the International Association of Lion Clubs
• The Development in Nigeria Merit Award
• Geoson Award by Geoinformation Society of Nigeria
• Award of Honour by International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, and Nigeria Union of Planetary and Radio Sciences
• Financial Integrity Award by the Editorial Board Of Credit Market Magazine
• Leadership Excellence Award by National Association of Akoko Students
• Spirit of Detroit Award by the City Council of Detroit, Michigan, USA
• Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Outstanding Merit Award by West Africa International Magazine
• Excellence Award by Federation of Yoruba Parapo Students Union
• Award of Leadership Excellence in Science and Technology Award of Excellency by Akoko Union
• Nation Builder Award by Nigeria in Diaspora Organisation, Michigan, USA
• Award of Excellency by the Nigerian Institute of Physics
• Ondo State Man of the Year for 2008, by Society Watch International, Dublin Ireland and Owena Press Limited, Akure
• Merit Award by Lagos State University Staff School
• Award of Excellence by National Association of Ondo State Students(NAOSS)
• Oka Distinguished Achievers Merit Award in the field of Science by Oka-Akoko Community
• A Distinguished Scientist and Achievers in the Field of Science Award by Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
ASIWAJU OF AKOKOLAND
The title conferred on him by all Akoko Obas in May 2009. After leaving office as an active academician and public servant, Prof. Boroffice quest to serve his people did not fade. This factor aroused his interest in active politics and prior to 2011 general election, he had positioned himself to vie for Ondo North Senatorial District seat. As a man who never disconnect with his people at the grass-root, though he faced little opposition yet, he got the ticket of his party to contest the senatorial election and he defeated other two contenders to emerge as the Senator representing the good people of Ondo North senatorial district at the 7th National Assembly in Nigeria. Currently, he is the Chairman committee of Science and Technology at the senate.
Asiwaju of Akokoland presented himself for highest office in Ondo State, on 28th of December 2011; all roads led to Oka-Akoko the headquarters of Akoko South West local government where Boroffice officially declared his intention to contest the 2012 gubernatorial election in his beloved state under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN while the mother of all political declarations came up in Akure the state capital in February 2012. The event the ACN leaders called a huge achievement for them considering the popularity and virtue of the first African to pilot space technology on African soil. Though, Senator Boroffice was not considered by the party leaders for the governorship ticket yet, he proved his loyalty to progressive course by worked assiduously to ensure victory for the party in Akoko South West local government where he hails from. Shortly after the 2012 governorship election in Ondo State, ACN and other three political parties merged to form All Progressives Congress, APC. Senator Ajayi Boroffice has being consistent in his contribution to build APC in the state and he has also done well in synergized with other progressive leaders to nurture the party to an acceptable standard at the national and international levels. In February 2014, Oka-Akoko born Professor of Zoology turned politician together with the representative of APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu were in faraway Maryland, USA to unveil APC logo.
In recognition for the adequate representation offered by the man Boroffice at the 7th National Assembly and his altruism, his quest to continue the good work for the people of northern senatorial district of Ondo State was supported by the majority of APC members from his district as shown by the result of the primary election held on December 8, 2014 in Owo and during presidential and national assembly election held on March 28, 2015 across Nigeria. Prof. Ajayi Boroffice is a current Senator of the Federal Republic in the 8th national assembly as he won re-election on the platform of All Progressives Congress, the darling political household that will formed the new government in the majority of the states and at the center under the leadership of the retired but not tired no-nonsense man, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).
The man, Asiwaju of Akokoland is a complete personality and an embodiment of humility. He is married to the amiable Prof. (Mrs.) Olusinmibo Bamidele Boroffice, a former Director of National Board of Incubation Technology, Abuja. The marriage is blessed with children and grandchildren.
No comments:
Post a Comment