Thomas R. Odhiambo

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Professor Thomas Risley Odhiambo (February 4, 1931 Alego, Nyanza Province - May 26, 2003) was a Kenyan entomologist and environmental activist who directed research and scientific development in Africa.

Contents

[edit] Life and education

Odhiambo was educated at Makerere University in Uganda and University of Cambridge in United Kingdom.

He founded the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) and helped to establish three institutions of learning: the Third World Academy of Sciences, the Kenya National Academy of Sciences and the African Academy of Sciences.

He inspired different Kenyan scholars and leaders, notably, academician Odhiambo Siangla and politician Kalonzo Musyoka.

He encouraged the younger generation of thinkers to venture into the fine arts, investigate its relation to history of life sciences and to go out and create global academies and research institutions using technology. His inspiring effect led to the re–emergence of accumulated indigenous knowledge and technology systems in the modern African world. He led visions on agricultural development in Africa by initiating effective scientific projects leading to advancement in growing indigenous crops and disseminating methods of insect control.

[edit] Honors and awards

  • 1987 Africa Prize for Leadership jointly with President Abdou Diouf of Senegal.[1]
  • Albert Einstein Medal
  • Gold Mercury International Award
  • Gold Medal March International Congress of Plant Protection
  • Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Oslo

[edit] Books and publications

  • Land-Use Literacy for Sustainable Food Production in Africa, 1994
  • Science for Development in Africa : Proceedings of the Consultation on the Management of Science for Development in Africa, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya, November 21-24, by Turner Timinipre Isoun, 1988
  • Hope Born Out of Despair : Managing the African Crisis, by United Nations University,

[edit] Further reading

  • Thomas A. Bass, Camping with the Prince, Moyer Bell, London, 1997, pp. 53-86
  • Rachel Galun and Onesmo K. ole-MoiYoi, Obituary: Thomas Risley Odhiambo (1931-2003) Nature 2003, ISSU 6954, page 142

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Highlights of the 1987 Africa Prize

[edit] External links

  • Ehsan Masood, Thomas Odhiambo:Visionary entomologist harnessing science for Africa's poor in The Guardian June 23, 2003 accessed at [1] April 11, 2007
  • James Njoroge, Kenya mourns death of a "scientific giant" SciDev.Net May 23, 2003 accessed at [2] April 11, 2007