Professor Joseph Ad eb ow a le Atanda

Professor Joseph AdebowaleAtanda Institutions, Inter-group Relations, Power (1931-1996) was a man of many parts: a Politics, as well as Church and Mission community leader (in Eruwa and the entire History. To Nigerian historians, hiswritings Ibarapaland), a historian,an educationist, an are a mine of information on many areas of administrator, and above all, a na tion- thehistoryof . Atanda's intellectual builder.A tanda was associated with the strength andcontributions were of great University of from 1967- 1991 and moment to many causes, including attained the title of Professor in History. His thedevelopment of the Ibadan School of primary area of research interest was African History and the growth of the Historical History, specializing in with Society of Nigeria. emphasis on Yorubaland in Western Atanda served in government for Nigeria and Buganda in East Africa. many years as Commissioner for A secondary area of research Local Government and interest concerned the survival Chieftaincy Affairs, and the achievements of Commissioner in thelvlinistry Africans and their descendants transported to the West Indian of Health, Ministry of Islands and the Americans Finance and during the European Atlantic EconomicDevelopmentin trade with . At the . He was University of Ibadan, apart Chairman, Ibarapa Local from serving as a Lecturer, Government from 1976 Atanda was a representative of to1979. In all these, Atanda the Faculty of Arts on the Board of Studies and faculty Board of served with his characteristic Education, a member of the Senate dedication and industry. Committee for The Institute of African Joseph Adebowale was the Studies, and an Associate Head of the third of five children born to Taiwo and Department of History. During his career, he MojoyinolaAtanda.in Eruwa, Oyo State, also lectured at Ogun State University, Ago- inWestern Nigeria. Until his death, in 2006, Iwoye, Makere University, Uganda, University he remained a rallying point and pillar of of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A, and University College of Belize, Belize. support to his family.Atanda was a Professor Atanda was a revered greatmentor,not only to his biological scholar, teacherand administrator, whose children, nieces and nephews but also to his contributions to historical numerous non-biological,nevertheless, his education,particularly his enthusiasm for the children, all of whom acknowledge his teaching and writing of aspectsof Nigerian fatherliness. History and Culture, as well as Baptist In the 2013]. A. Atanda Memcrial Mission Studies.are quite extensive and lecture, one of his students,S. Ademola.Ajavi, impressive. His extended areas of described him fondly as"the quintessence of researchinterest and mruauve included allthat is noble in mankind, uncompromising Indirect Rule and Change,Traditional Political