BIODATA OF PROFESSOR EBENEZER IBUKUN ARIFALO

Professor Ebenezer Ibukun Arifalo was born in Akure, Ondo State of Nigeria on April 6 1950, to an Akure High Chief Rufus Arifalo (the Olu of Kashemola I) and Madam Mary Olapati Arifalo.

He received his elementary education at St. Thomas Anglican Church Primary School, Isikan, Akllre in 1964 and secondary education at St. Patrick Secondary School Oka-Akoko, Ondo ~bit: in 1971. He attended a two year Forestry Assistant Course and took up employment with Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and worked at the Shelterbelt Research Station Kano between 1975 and 1978. He obtained a Higher Diploma in General Forestry at the Federal College of Forestry Ibadan in 1980, after which he was retained as a lecturer in the School until November 1982 when he left for the University of the Philippines at Los Banos, Laguna Province, Philippines to pursue his Master's degree in Forest Resources Management

On completion of the M.Sc. Forest Resources Management degree he started Doctoral degree in Management. He was given Federal Government scholarship to read Forestry and he finally settled for a Doctoral degree in Forest Resources Management at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos and was awarded the PhD degree in Forestry Economics and Policy in the year 1988. A distinguished academic, listed in the Contemporary Who is Who in Nigeria Forestry of 1996, Professor Arifalo had worked all his life in the forestry profession, starting his career in 1975 as a Forest Assistant in Shelterbelt Research Station, Kano and then as an Instructor in the Federal College of Forestry where he rose to the post of a Senior Research Officer in 1989. He joined the services of the Federal University of Technology, Yola as a lecturer 1 in February 1991. He was promoted Senior Lecturer in 1994, Associate Professor in 1998 and Professor of Forestry Economics and Policy in 2000.

A distinguished researcher and scholar, Professor Arifalo has twenty-eight articles published in international and local research journals. An author of a book in his area of specialisation. he has presented several papers at seminar/workshops, written at least 8 reports, supervised several B. Tech. and Masters degree students successfully.

Professor Arifalo has served on many University committees like the University Sports Club 1991; Dean of School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology 1993-1995; Head of Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management 2001-2004; member, committee of Deans and Directors 1993-1995; member, Appointment and Promotions Committee (Administrative staff), and presently Chairman of University Sports Committee 2001 to date. He is a member of several professional bodies like International Society of Tropical Foresters Maryland, USA; Royal society of Academy (RSA) Nigeria; Forestry Association of Nigeria: and University of the Philippines College of Forestry Alumni Association. His hobbies include: Game viewing.

Professor Ebenezer Ibukun Arifalo is a man, who lives above the fog in public duty and in private thinking: Consultant (Managing Director), Famia Ventures Yola; The Chairman, CAC Nursery and Primary Schools Board Jimeta-Yola; Live member the Egbe Aanu band CAC Okelisa Akure, Ondo State; Publicity Secretary of International Students, University of the Philippines at Los Banos Laguna, Philippines (1983 -1984);Treasurer of Organization of Nigerian Students, University of the Philippines at Los Banos Chapter, Laguna, Philippines (1982-1989);Treasurer of Organization of Nigeria Students in The Philippines, Manila HQ (1982-1986); The Editor-in-Chief of the International Students Bulletin, University of the Philippines at Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines (1983 -1986).

Professor Arifalo spent his sabbatical leave at University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He has served as Professorial Assessor to the University of Ibadan, University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abia State University Uturu and University of Maiduguri. He is a consulting editor of Nigerian Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development.