Thomas R. Odhiambo
Encyclopedia
Professor Thomas Risley Odhiambo (February 4, 1931 Mombasa
- May 26, 2003 Nairobi
) was a Kenyan entomologist and environmental activist who directed research and scientific development in Africa.
in Kenya, 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 Kenyan 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.
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
- May 26, 2003 Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
) was a Kenyan entomologist and environmental activist who directed research and scientific development in Africa.
Life and education
Odhiambo was educated at Maseno SchoolMaseno School
Maseno School is one of the oldest schools in Kenya. It was established in 1906 by the Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society as a school for the children of African chiefs. The first administrator of the school was Rev...
in Kenya, Makerere University
Makerere University
Makerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
in Uganda and University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in United Kingdom.
He founded the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology is an international scientific research institute, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya which works towards improving lives and livelihoods of people in Africa...
(icipe) and helped to establish three institutions of learning: the Third World Academy of Sciences
Third World Academy of Sciences
TWAS, until 2004 named Third World Academy of Sciences and now TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, is a merit-based science academy uniting 1,000 scientists in some 70 countries. Its principal aim is to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in...
, the Kenyan National Academy of Sciences and the African Academy of Sciences
African Academy of Sciences
The African Academy of Sciences is an Africa-wide scientists organisation. It serves firstly to honour African scientists who have become internationally renowned through their efforts in their respective fields, and secondly to encourage the development of the research and technology base...
.
He inspired different Kenyan scholars and leaders, notably, academician Odhiambo Siangla and politician Kalonzo Musyoka
Kalonzo Musyoka
Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is a Kenyan politician, currently serving as Vice President of Kenya. Musyoka served in the government under President Daniel arap Moi and was Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1993 until 1998; subsequently, under President Mwai Kibaki, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs...
.
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.
Honors and awards
- 1987 Africa Prize for Leadership jointly with President Abdou DioufAbdou DioufAbdou Diouf was the second President of Senegal, serving from 1981 to 2000. Diouf is notable both for coming to power by peaceful succession, and leaving willingly after losing the 2000 presidential election to Abdoulaye Wade...
of SenegalSenegalSenegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. - Albert EinsteinAlbert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
Medal - Gold Mercury International Award
- Gold Medal March International Congress of Plant Protection
- Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Oslo
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,
Further reading
- Thomas A. BassThomas BassThomas Alden Bass is an American writer and professor in literature and history.- Biography :Bass graduated with an honors A.B. from the University of Chicago in 1973 and earned his Ph.D. in the History of Consciousness from the University of California Santa Cruz in 1980...
, Camping with the Prince, Moyer Bell, London, 1997, pp. 53-86 - Rachel Galun and Onesmo K. ole-MoiYoi, Obituary: Thomas Risley Odhiambo (1931-2003) NatureNature (journal)Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
2003, ISSU 6954, page 142
External links
- Ehsan Masood, Thomas Odhiambo:Visionary entomologist harnessing science for Africa's poor in The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
June 23, 2003 accessed at http://education.guardian.co.uk/obituary/story/0,12212,983229,00.html April 11, 2007 - James Njoroge, Kenya mourns death of a "scientific giant" SciDev.Net May 23, 2003 accessed at http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=828&language=1 April 11, 2007