It was with rude shock that the news of demise of Prof. Akoroda was received by the CRIN Community, being one of the past Executive Directors of the Institute. Malachy Akoroda, a professor of Agronomy with specialization in Seed Production and Plant Genetics Breeding was born in 1953. He had his elementary education at Academy Primary School, Urban Area, Sapele and his secondary education at Malachy’s Secondary Grammar School, Ugbeyiyi, Sapele, Delta State. He later proceeded to Kings College, Onikan Lagos. Professor Akoroda graduated from the Premier University, University of Ibadan, Ibadan with BSc. (Agriculture/Crop Science) in 1975 and PhD (Agronomy/Plant Breeding) in 1981. He had expertise in Plant Breeding, Farming Systems, Genetics, Statistics, Cassava, Sweet Potato, Soybean, Yams, Okra, Cochorus, Fluted Pumpkin amongst other crops. He started his journey as a scientist with the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) – 1981 to 1983. He later joined the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan as a Lecturer II (1983), Lecturer I (1986), Senior Lecturer (1989) and Professor (1994). He worked with several international organizations including IITA, USAID, IFAD, FAO, CGIAR, SARRNET, NRCRI, FACU, PCU, EARRNET, NIHORT, RTEP, CMP, ADPs, IFC, TAC, SPG, TRIPP, AFNETA, TAC, VITAA, ISTRC-AB etc at different times and capacities as consultant, principal investigator, officer in charge, project coordinator, collaborator, team member, reviewer, editor and other positions of responsibility in local and international projects. He became the Executive Director of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan from July 2012 to December 2015. He had over 100 publications in journals, books, technical reports and other academic media. He supervised over 120 students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels since 1980 till date. He was survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and family members. May his gentle soul rest in peace and may the Lord watch over all he left behind.