……UNESCO Laureate Mourns The Demise of Late Dr. Oluremi Atanda OFR
……Prof Aremu Says, Late Dr. Atanda Was one of First PhD Holders in Iwo Land, A Seasoned Agricultural Scientist, Educationist Par Excellence
………HRH Duke Sends Condolence message of Consolation To The Family of Late Dr. Atanda, The Proprietor of Oluremi Group of Schools
By Victor Bieni
Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, UNESCO Laureate, and Vice-Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., has today being on Friday mourned the demise of a renowned Iwo, Osun State born world-class Agriculturist, researcher, late Dr. Oluremi Atanda(1939-1924), the proprietor of Oluremi Group of Schools who died at the age of 83 years as he described Late Dr. Atanda as a seasoned Agricultural Scientist, World-class Educationist Par excellence.
Prof. Sir Bashiru Aremu’s condolence message to the family, tribute to late Dr. Oluremi Atanda OFR was contained in a press statement today being on Friday, March 6, 2024 which waa made available to some group of Journalists in Osogbo, Osun State capital by his Executive Assistant on Media, Publicity & Communication Matters, Comrade Sir Bieni Victor Emenike as HRH Duke of the Kingdom of Atlantis in Singapore described Late Dr. Oluremi Atanda, the first PhD holder in Iwo Land, Atanda’s death as a moment of sober reflection and celebration of life.
Prof Aremu who mourned the Iwo, Osun State born Octogenarian, world-class Agriculturist & Researcher, Late Dr. Oluremi Atanda stated that, Atanda’s scholarly contributions to the growth and development of Education, Agriculture, Research in Osun, Nigeria and the world at large, would not be forgotten in a hurry as he was a dedicated former Public servant, seasoned academics and mentor.
UNESCO Laureate’s press statement reads in parts: “Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria, the world at large has lost a great legend full of legacy! Though, count it a celebration of life. I use this medium to express a deep sadness over the Demise of our father, oldest Agricultural Scientist & Researcher, Late Dr. Oluremi Atanda, OFR (1939- 2024). Dr. Mufutau Oluremi Ademola Atanda was a Nigerian agricultural scientist, administrator and holder of the Nigeria’s Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).Born on September 22, 1939, in Iwo, Osun State, Atanda attended Amin Training Centre, a foremost Quraanic school in Iwo until 1946. He started his primary education in 1946 at the Baptist Day School, Oke Odo, in Iwo and graduated in 1952”.
“For his secondary school education, he attended Molusi College, Ijebu Igbo. After his higher school certificate examination in 1958 at the Government College, Ibadan, he proceeded to study Agricultural Science at the University of Nottingham in England. He subsequently earned his PhD at the University of Newcastle, UK at a very relatively young age and he was the first Iwo indigene to bag a PhD. He began his research career at the West Africa Cocoa Research Institute in Ibadan in 1964, and worked there until 1972 when he joined the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria”.
“In 1975, he left the council to serve as the Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture. Between 1976 and 1979, Atanda worked with the National Cereals Research Institute.He later worked as the Director of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria between 1979 and 1980. Between 1980 and 1983, he was the Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission. He has also consulted for other bodies including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. He was on the board of trustees of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), between 1976 and 1978”.
“After serving as a member of National Committee on Subsidies to Nigeria Agriculture between 1986 and 1987, Atanda retired from the public service after nearly 25 years. An educationalist par excellence, Dr. Atanda was the proprietor of Atanda Group of Schools. Until his death on March 4, 2024, Dr. Atanda was the Eketa Oba of Iwoland and Ekerin (Prime Minister) of Ikire -Ile and he was also the immediate past President of Iwo Board of Trustees.May almighty Allah forgive and grant our baba, Dr. Oluremi Atanda, OFR al- janaat fridaous….Amin”.
Aremu stated further that, Late Dr Oluremi departure to glory no doubt is a moment of sadness to him when he remembers the huge contributions, vacuum created in terms of wisdom and mentorship to your generation of Scholars as the oldest Agricultural Scientist, Educationist in Iwo Land, Osun State, Nigeria and the world at large. According to him, “God knows the best”.
“We must count it all joy as it also, most importantly, a time of Celebration of a life well spent. We give thanks to God, the giver of all things and creator of heaven and earth. May the almighty God receive the soul of Dr. Oluremi Atanda (PhD) in heaven above and may he rest in peace.