User talk:AkwiiriND

Professor Thomas R.Odhiambo
A great thanks is owed to all  the contributors who added content to the subject of Professor Thomas R. Odhiambo, founder of ICIPE and leader/activist in African agricultural, disease control and environmental habitat studies and development. The Professor, as everyone called him, was my father. I was always not just his daughter but his biggest fan. I am very proud of his achievementsa. But since his death in 2003 it became apparent that there were certain entities within ICIPE who attempted to erase him from his integral and very public role as Director. He was not only founder and director of ICIPE, he was one of East Africa's premier leaders and certainly greater scientific minds. That is indisputable. Until now it has been very disappointing to witness ICIPE's attempt to thwart any mentions or accolades of him in relationship to the institutition, it's progress and the success it attained and has maintained over a span of many decades. Regardless of what may have transpired in the latter part of his leadership at ICIPE, he took an idea which most scoffed at in its humble beginnings, and brought to it international acclaim and notoriety. To disregard those achievements in silent protest or righteous indignation is dishonest and misleading. ICIPE, as a scientific establishment has the responsibility of maintaining the facts. The fact is,my father brought that place into existence using only pen, paper and an idea...a vision...a quest. . That ICIPE continues to thrive under new leadership is a wonderful thing. I don't begrudge it's continued advancement, I respect it. Whatever the disagreements, betrayals, mistakes or grievances may be, ICIPE still stands. Indeed to record all the facts honors who and what has survived. Therefore, I am eternally grateful to those of you who continue to share my father's vision and passion for the fields of entomology and ecology as they relate to the continent he loved. That he has finally been once again acknowledged for his commitment to bettering the future of Africa, his life's work, Is an honor I know would have given him great pleasure. AkwiiriND (talk) 20:00, 9 July 2017 (UTC)