SON’s Director Dr Mrs Okunlola Bows out Meritoriously from Service
By Okezie Nnadi
It was a celebration full with so many achievements and accolades of joy has former director in the Standard Organization of Nigeria SON
Dr (Mrs) Omo Lara. I. Okunlola (nee Baderinwa) steps out to retirement life after 34 years and two weeks of meritorious service in the Organization SON.
As a as graduate of Food Science and Technology from University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1985.
She joined the service of SON on the 30th of March, 1988 as ATO and her appointment was regularised as a Scientific officer on the 4th April of the same. She worked at Ibadan, Kaduna and Lagos. She rose through the ranks until her retirement as on the 18th of April 2022 after 34 years and two weeks of meritorious service.
In the course of her working, she earned her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Microbiology from the University of Ibadan.
Her performances among others, as state head in Ekiti and Oyo state are on record in the Organisation’s history, she received third position of the state head award on revenue generation at Ekiti, just after one year and three months of effective take off of the state office.
Her sensitization effort in Oyo state went beyond the norms, from inspection of hotels, quarries to police community relationship committees. At the management cadre, same applies on her performance as Head, Food group, under the Standards Development Department and as Director, Enforcement.
She believes that leadership is influence thus her passion for mentoring others.
Dr (Mrs) Omolara. I. Okunlola is a happily married wife, mother and grandmother.
AFRICAN EXPERT- TC Meeting on AFRA Regional Programme TCP2024-25 – Enhancing Human and Analytical Capacities for food safety standard in Africa. Under International Atomic Energy Agency (Under the United Nations)
CONSULTANT -Development of National Standard on Rice fortification under the promoting Rice Fortification in Nigeria project | 2022 – till date
CHAIRPERSON – Country Working group on Bouillon Fortification | 2019 – 2022
HEAD/ DEPUTY DIRECTOR – Food Group-Standards Development Department | 2018 – 2021
HEAD, CODEX UNIT – Standards Development Department | 2017 – 2018
STANDARDS OFFICER/HEAD – Factory Inspection Monitoring-Product Certification Department | 2016 – 2017
STANDARDS OFFICER/STATE COORDINATOR – Oyo State Office | 2014 – 2015
STANDARDS OFFICER /STATE COORDINATOR – Ekiti State Office | 2012 – 2014
STANDARDS OFFICER /HEAD – MANCAP Unit-Product Certification Department | 2011 – 2012
STANDARDS OFFICER /HEAD – SONCAP Unit-Product Certification Department | 2010 – 2011
STANDARDS OFFICER/HEAD – Sanitary and Phytosanitary Unit | 2009 – 2010
STANDARDS OFFICER/ FACTORY INSPECTION OFFICER – Consumer Complaint and Collaboration | 2005 – 2009
STANDARDS OFFICER/FACTORY INSPECTOR ON PRODUCT CERTIFICATION |1988-2018
(Area of Specialisation: Agriculture (GAP), Food Safety and Quality, Nutrition)
Her Achievements
AFRICAN ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDISATION PARTICIPATION
Convener of ARSO Technical Committee 07/WG 2, Meat, Poultry, Eggs – TC 07
Convener of ARSO Technical Committee 14/WG 4, Packaging and Labeling – TC 14
Member of ARSO Technical Committee 12, Cereals, Legumes and Pulses.
Member of ARSO Technical Committee 07 Meat. Poultry and Eggs.
Member of ARSO Technical Committee
Member of Defunct ARSO TH02 on Food and Agriculture
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Member – Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology
Member – America Society of Microbiology
Member – Institute of Food Technology
Affliate Member- Nigerian Mining and Geoscience society
Fagade OE, Okunlola OI, Ogunjobi AA. Oyelade AA (2011). Bacteria isolated from mine effluent of National Iron Ore Mining Project, Itakpe-Okene and bioremediation potential of selected species. New York Science Journal 4(5):54-58.
Jayeola OC., Okunlola IO, Oyagbemi AA, Jayeola TG. Hypoglycemic Potential of Cocoa Powder in Monosodium Glutamate-Diet Induced Diabetic Mice. Sumerianz Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary, 2020, Vol. 3, No. 7, pp. 90-96. ISSN(e): 2617-3077, ISSN(p): 2617-3131
Jayeola OC, Oyagbemi AA, Okunlola IO, Olubamiwa O, Omobowale TO, Ajibade TO, Bolaji-Alabi FB, Ogunpolu BS, Falayi OO, Saba AB, Adedapo AA, Yakubu MA, Oluwadun A, Oguntibeju OO (2020) Effect of cocoa powder on hypertension and antioxidant status in uninephrectomized hypertensive rats, Veterinary World, 13(4): 695-705.
You have left a good legacy of a commendable work ethic and excellent service. We hope that you will continue to impact society with your great enthusiasm.
