Death has been announced of Dr. Lamin J Marenah, a former close aide to ex-President Sir Dawda Kairaba and the first Gambian believed to have bagged Ph.D. in agriculture and served both United Nations and Gambia government for more than three decades. He has died aged 90, his family announced.
Reacting to the sad news, Dr. Marenah’s son, Yankuba Marenah, said: ” He will forever be missed but will remain in our hearts always and continue to be our guiding light.”
According to Pa Bora Ceesay, Kudang historian, the late Dr. Marenah was a former staff of the Department of Agriculture who was very instrumental in the formation of the ‘Jahally Pacharr Rice Project,’ the former FAO Regional Director for Africa, the first Chairman of The Gambia University’s Governing Council.
“Dr. Lamin J. Marenah (Dr. Lamin Jonsaba Marenah) is believed to be the first Gambian to write his Ph.D. thesis, more so in the field of Agriculture.
Many also have it that he was the one who recommended Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara for the presidency when he was approached to lead the then-PPP government.
And one thing is clear, he was and remains one of the most trusted friends of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara until his passing in the year 2019, culminating in his being given the honor of paying tribute to Sir Dawda during his state funeral.
As his death is announced today, the people of Kudang/Alkamba join the rest of The Gambia, Africa, and the world to celebrate the life and contributions of one its pioneering native, top-notch intellectual and a true patriot.” The young Kudang historian said of the late Dr. Marenah.
