Tinubu Mourns Passing Of Nigeria’s Oldest Agricultural Scientist, Chief Atanda

• Tinubu Mourns Passing Of Nigeria’s Oldest Agricultural Scientist, Chief Atanda.

• Chief Atanda, Nigeria’s oldest Agricultural Scientist and Researcher. 

• Born in 1939 in Iwo, Osun State, Atanda earned his PhD in the UK and served in numerous leadership roles.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the Atanda family following the recent passing of Chief Oluremi Ademola Atanda. President Tinubu recognized Chief Atanda’s significant contributions as a distinguished educator and official who played a vital role in the development of Old Oyo State and Nigeria.

In a message to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, and the people of Iwoland, President Tinubu offered prayers for the deceased’s soul.

EDITOR’S PICK

• Implementing Unsustainable Minimum Wage Will Lead To Job Loss – FG Warns NLC
• Tinubu’s Speech: No Consensus Reached On National Minimum Wage – NLC
• 25 Dead In Enugu Highway Crash Involving 10 Vehicles

Chief Atanda, considered Nigeria’s oldest Agricultural Scientist and Researcher, held the prestigious rank of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

Born in Iwo, Osun State on September 22nd, 1939, Atanda began his academic journey at Amin Training Centre, a prominent Islamic school in his area. He then attended Baptist Day School in Oke Odo, Iwo, from 1946 to 1952. Following his primary education, he pursued secondary studies at Molusi College in Ijebu Igbo.

After passing his Higher School Certificate Examination in 1958 at Government College, Ibadan, Atanda furthered his education in the United Kingdom, earning a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Nottingham.

He achieved his doctoral degree at a remarkably young age from the University of Newcastle, UK, marking him as the inaugural Nigerian of Iwo descent to receive a PhD.

Following his PhD, Atanda embarked on his research career at the West Africa Cocoa Research Institute in Ibadan, a position he held from 1964 to 1972, before advancing to become a part of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria.

Chief Atanda

In 1972, he transitioned to a leadership role at the Federal Department of Agriculture as its Director, where he stayed for four years, from 1975 to 1979, also serving as the Director of the National Cereals Research Institute during that time.

Between 1979 and 1980, Atanda held the position of Director at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. From 1980 to 1983, he served as the head of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission.

Additionally, he provided consulting services to various organizations, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. He also chaired the board of trustees for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) from 1976 to 1978.

FURTHER READING 

• Akpabio Addresses 2027 Presidential Ambitions With El-Rufai Amid Posters
• June 12: Sail Away From The Turbulent Waters Of Protests – DSS Warns Nigerians
• Court Gives Date to Rule on LP’s Candidacy Tussle

Following his tenure as a member of the National Committee on Subsidies to Nigeria Agriculture from 1986 to 1987, Atanda stepped down from his public service role after nearly 25 years.

Renowned for his expertise in education, Dr. Atanda was the founder and owner of the Atanda Group of Schools. He passed away on March 4, 2024, leaving behind his roles as the Eketa Oba of Iwoland and Ekerin (Prime Minister) of Ikire-Ile, as well as his position as the immediate past President of the Iwo Board of Trustees.

Click below to watch our video of the week: 

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611