Happy 75th birthday anniversary celebration to a quintessential ijesa man, Professor Olu Odeyemi, the president, Ijesa Progressive Council, Chairman of Iwude Ijesa Planning Committee and Executive member of Ijesa Forum.
Professor Olu Odeyemi was born in Iloko Ijesa, Osun state in 1946 , Olu Odeyemi is a retired Professor of Microbiology at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
He attended Ilesa Grammar School (1959-1963) and Abeokuta Grammar School (1965-1966).
Odeyemi obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science from the University of Ibadan in 1970.
He then proceeded for his postgraduate studies in Cornell University, Ithaca, New York from where he bagged his Master’s degree (1974) and Doctorate degree (1976) in Agronomy and Microbiology respectively.
He has attended institutions which include Cambridge University (U.K.), McGill University (Canada), Indian Institute of Technology (New Delhi) for further professional training.
Professor Olu Odeyemi is a member of numerous Professional bodies some of which include Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Society for Microbiology, Society for Occupational Safety and Environmental Health and American Society of Microbiology attest to his prowess as an academic and astute administrator.
He has served in numerous capacities both in the public and private sectors of Nigeria, holding important positions some of which include; Consultant to Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja, United Nations University (UNU), Tokyo, UNESCO, UNEP, FAO, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Warri.
In 1993, Prof. Odeyemi was appointed as the pioneer Rector of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, a position he held until 2000. Prof. Odeyemi has also served as Head of Department of Microbiology, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Science and Dean, Students Affairs at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
His immense contributions to the fields of Agriculture, Microbiology and Environmental Protection have made him a recipient of many local and international awards some of which include; Most Valuable Thesis award at Cornell with a Patented Ph.D. thesis (1976), National Merit Award in Science and Technology (1990), Osun State Government Award for Excellence in Science and Technology (2005), O.A.U Great Achiever Award (2003), Officer of the Federal Government of Nigeria OFR (1999).
Prof. Ode established an He is the Director of ENPOST Forest Reserve, an Agroforestry/Biodiversity farm in Ilesa, Osun State.
The reserve is an ecotourist site visited by hundreds of people annually.
He is a firm believer in moral values of the highest standard. He is an author and is actively involved in politics. He ran for the post of Governor during the 2007 governorship election in Osun State.
He is happily married to Mrs. Stella Odeyemi
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR.
