By Emeka Oluka & Femi Dansu
Goat, an animal that has been tagged stubbornly by many can now heave a sigh of relief as it can now boast of an Advocate in the person of Prof. James Daramola, an expert in Reproductive Physiology from the Department of Animal Physiology, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
Prof. Daramola assumed the position of a Senior Advocate of Goats (SAG), a term he personally ascribed to himself, while delivering the 98th Inaugural Lecture Series of the University, titled “Stubbornness and the Goat: A Romantic Paradox,” today, February 26, 2025.
In his Lecture, the Don described the goat as an amazing treasure, often referred to as “The poor man’s cow,” due to their ability to thrive in challenging environments and provide multiple benefits, including milk, meat, hides, and fiber.
Prof. Daramola, who was the first Inaugural Lecturer from the Department of Animal Physiology highlighted the crucial role goats play in the rural economy of many poor households, providing additional income through value-added products such as goat leather goods. He noted that goats were often used as gifts, dowry, and for sacrificial purposes in various cultures.
According to Prof. Daramola, goats were ideal for families with limited capital investment due to their small size, low maintenance requirements, and high reproductive efficiency.
He mentioned other benefits of goats, including meeting family needs and controlling bush encroachment.
The 98th Inaugural Lecturer emphasised that despite their importance, goats were often overlooked and neglected. He described the goat’s head and horns as symbols of strength and wisdom, while its beard signifies intelligence. With a global population of approximately 1.2 billion, he stressed that goats were the fifth most abundant farm animals, and they were yet to receive the recognition they deserved.
The Inaugural Lecturer explained the concept of stubbornness, describing it as a conversational expression portraying firmness, resolve, or resoluteness. He noted that the descriptions of stubbornness were contradictory, with positive connotations involving determination and perseverance, while negative connotations imply an unwillingness to change.
Additionally, he said that the concept, “Stubborn Goat” also means someone is a “goat” for doing something great, hence, the word GOAT, which acronym stands for “Greatest Of All Time.”
Concluding, Prof. Daramola recommended improving goat management to enhance their welfare and production. He advocated for adequate care, feeding, and shelter in a friendly environment and established a Cryo Centre at FUNAAB to process and cryopreserve semen.
He said the centre would serve as a huge source of Internally Generated revenue (IGR) for the University and it would provide frozen semen to farmers through trained Mobile Artificial Insemination Technicians.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, described Prof. Daramola as an outstanding scholar, a distinguished researcher, and an exceptional team player. He also commended him for his role as the Principal Investigator of numerous research grants and as a reviewer for several prestigious international journals.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde (3rd Left) with other Principal Officers and the 98th Inaugural Lecturer, Prof. James Daramola after the ceremony
