By Asaye Bankole
Alagba Rasheed Ademola Adegbola, veteran agricultural communicator, broadcaster and development advocate, is among the distinguished personalities to be honoured at the 2026 Southwest Legends Lecture and Awards organised by D Chronicle Media Ventures.
The prestigious event, themed “Legends of Service: The Southwest Blueprint for Nation Building,” is scheduled for October 22, 2026, at the Olusegun Aganga Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, from 1:00 p.m.
The organisers said the awards are designed to recognise individuals whose outstanding contributions in different fields have advanced society and demonstrated the values of service, leadership, dedication and nation-building.
Adegbola is being recognised for his decades of service to agriculture, particularly his pioneering role in agricultural extension communication and the use of radio, television and other media platforms to take agricultural information to farmers at the grassroots.
Born in Kuye Village, Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, in the early 1950s, Adegbola grew up in a farming environment under the influence of his father, a respected cocoa farmer.
His professional journey took him through several areas of agricultural development.
He spent about 35 years working in the Oyo State public service, where he served in different agricultural positions before retiring in 2010.
During his career, he worked directly with farmers, providing extension services, promoting improved agricultural practices and helping rural communities understand new technologies and research findings.
He later became widely known for his agricultural radio and television programmes, using Yoruba to make technical agricultural information easier for farmers and members of the public to understand.
Adegbola has worked with several media organisations, including BCOS, Radio Nigeria/FRCN, Star 91.5 FM, MITV, Premier 93.5 FM, Paramount 94.5 FM and Amuludun 99.1 FM.
He has presented programmes including “Agbeloba,” “E Je Ka Roko,” “Agbe Oni Je Amodun,” “Aye Agbe,” “Agric in Focus,” “Ere Agbe” and “Tiwalagbe.”
Following his retirement from government service, he established Gbola Agro Allied Media Studio, an agricultural extension and media organisation based in Ibadan.
The organisation focuses on agricultural communication, farmer education, market linkages, technology transfer, documentaries and media-based agricultural development.
Adegbola has also collaborated with major agricultural research institutions, universities, government agencies and farmers’ organisations, including the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Nigerian Institute of Horticultural Research, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, University of Ibadan, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, among others.
His work extends beyond broadcasting. He is also a playwright, public speaker, conference interpreter, agricultural consultant and Yoruba translator, and has developed drama and role-play materials aimed at educating farmers on agricultural production, livestock management, climate information, erosion control, weed management and improved farming technologies.
His contribution to agricultural development has earned him several recognitions, including the Oyo State Productivity Merit Award in 2009, as well as commendations for his work in agricultural media and communication.
The organisers said Adegbola’s recognition reflects the importance of individuals who have dedicated their careers to connecting research institutions with farmers and making agricultural knowledge accessible to rural communities.
The 2026 Southwest Legends event will also feature a major lecture, an awards presentation and the launch of a special publication celebrating the achievements of Southwest legends.
Professor Ambrose Ayelari, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, will serve as Guest Speaker, while Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, former President-General of the Maritime Workers Union, will chair the occasion.
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, is expected to attend as the Special Guest of Honour.
The organisers said the gathering will bring together government officials, academics, traditional leaders, professionals, farmers, media practitioners, development experts and members of the public to celebrate exemplary service and discuss pathways for strengthening the Southwest’s contribution to Nigeria’s development.
The event is expected to highlight the achievements of the award recipients while promoting conversations on leadership, innovation, community development and the role of the Southwest in building a stronger Nigeria.
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