Otunba Dr. Mrs Felicia Osifunke Kuku was born 75 years ago (March 6, 1944) to Pa Augustine Badejo Kalesanwo and Princess Omolabake Kalesanwo. Her mother (nee Onasanwo) was the first child of Oba Albert Onasanwo, the Gbegande of Ososa. She got married to Otunba (Professor) Aderemi Oluyomi Kuku on December 28,1968 (a little over 50 years ago) and the union has been blessed with four children—Dolapo, Kemi, Yemisi and Solape.

She had her early education at St Patrick’s Catholic School, Idumagbo, Lagos before proceeding to Queen’s college, Lagos where she obtained her West African School Certificate in December 1960 and her Higher School Certificate (HSC) in December 1962. In 1968, she graduated from the University of Ibadan with a combined Honours degree in Botany and Zoology. In June 1968, she was recruited as a Research Officer by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, (NSPRI) for their Ibadan station where she worked for the next twenty years. While working at NSPRI, she obtained her M.Sc (Agric Biology) in 1974, and her Ph.D (Microbiology) in 1986 from University of Ibadan apart from undergoing several on-the-job trainings mainly in UK, Germany, USA and India. She rose through the ranks to become the Chief Research Officer and Head of the Ibadan station of NSPRI (the biggest and most active research-wise) in 1982. It is noteworthy that she was the first woman to be employed by NSPRI as a researcher in an all-male Research Institute. She therefore played pioneering roles of weathering the storms to pave the way for the other women who later joined the Institute, one of whom later became Executive Director of the Institute.

In 1986, she moved to the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Idi-Isin, Ibadan as a Chief Research Officer and Head of the Crop Protection division. In March 1987, she was appointed by Ogun State Government as Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and in this capacity served, among others, as Executive Director of Odu’a Investment Corporation. She later served as Honourable Commissioner for Education (Nov 1988-Feb 1991) and Honourable Commissioner for Social development, Youths and Sports (Feb 1991 – Dec 1991). All told, she offered five years of meritorious services as Honourable Commissioner in Ogun State Government under three Governors.

She returned to NIHORT as Head of Crop protection in 1992 and was soon after promoted Assistant Director, Crop and Material Production, a position she occupied until she retired in 1999.

She has also been a recipient of several honours and distinctions: In 1993, she was installed Otunba Ogunroyega of Ijebu by His Royal Majesty, Oba S. K. Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. She was President of the Nigerian Association of University Women (NAUWU), Ibadan Branch (1984- 87); Vice-President, Horticultural Society of Ogun State, 1987-91; Chairman, National Committee on Fagging in secondary schools in Nigeria (1990-91); Chairman, Parent-Teachers’ Association of the International School, University of Ibadan, (1992-94); Ogun State Scout Commissioner, 1991; President Zonta Club International, Ibadan Branch. (2008-2010).

She is a committed Christian who is active in several Christian activities. She is a Leader at the Bible Study Fellowship (B. S. F.) International, Ibadan; Member of the Baptist Women Missionary Union (WMU), Oritamefa Baptist Church; Member of Sunday school class, (Women 2), Oritamefa Baptist church; member of House Fellowship (New Bodija) Oritamefa Baptist Church and member of the Senior Citizen’s Choir, Oritamefa Baptist Church. She is also a Jerusalem Pilgrim.