Family Unveils Prof. Femi Onifade Memorial Foundation, Hosts Inaugural Lecture in His Honour

The family of the late Prof. Olufemi Onifade has launched the Professor Femi Onifade Memorial Foundation (PFOMF) to immortalise his remarkable legacy as a scholar, peace advocate, and mentor.

The foundation was unveiled on October 10, 2025, at the Postgraduate Hall of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in partnership with the Initiative for Peace and Comfort (IPC).

The event also featured the first Professor Femi Onifade Memorial Lecture, themed “The Feed, The Feed, The Feed,” which drew academics, students, family members, and professional colleagues to celebrate the late professor’s life of service, scholarship, and compassion.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Dean of the College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), Prof. Bola Senjobi, commended Prof. Onifade’s lifelong dedication to education, community upliftment, and peace. He praised the Initiative for Peace and Comfort — co-founded by the late professor and his wife, Prof. Comfort Onifade — as a lasting testament to their shared values.

In his remarks, the Dean of the College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM), Prof. Abimbola Oso, described Prof. Onifade as a model of humility, scholarship, and moral integrity. He lauded the establishment of the foundation and the memorial lecture as fitting tributes to a man whose impact remains profound, especially in Pasture and Range Management.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Tunde Amole of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) reflected on Prof. Onifade’s philosophy of feeding the nation, the livestock, and the soul — a holistic vision that bridged science and humanity. He announced plans to establish a dedicated facility within the Department of Pasture and Range Management in the professor’s honour, encouraging scholars to continue building upon his ideals of diligence, collaboration, and service.

During the foundation’s unveiling, Prof. Comfort Onifade described her late husband as “a man whose life was his legacy.” She explained that the foundation was created to empower youths and women through entrepreneurship, promote education via scholarships, and advance public health and wellness.

Key initiatives under the foundation include skill acquisition and mentorship programmes, annual scholarships for 20 students, public health campaigns, and an annual lecture series focusing on Animal Science, entrepreneurship, and community development. The foundation also plans to train at least 100 youths and women yearly and host an annual music concert celebrating faith and creativity.

Through strategic partnerships with schools, NGOs, and faith-based organisations, the Professor Femi Onifade Memorial Foundation seeks to extend its reach and sustain his lifelong commitment to knowledge, peace, and human development.

The event not only honoured a life well-lived but also reignited a collective resolve to uphold the values Prof. Onifade stood for — peace, compassion, service, and excellence.