Soon after the confirmation of the demise of an Animal Care General; Dr. Olatunde Aiyedun Agbato, men of different calibres have expressed their feelings over the demise of the general.
Mr. Asiwaju Taiwo Olusanya Taiyelolu wrote,
I start my tribute with the popular saying of Dr. Olatunde Agbato: A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle! He was a pragmatic leader who combined vision with action, this made me remember an old Japanese proverb which says: Vision without Action is a daydream, Action without Vision is a nightmare.
My first encounter with Dr. Olatunde Agbato popularly called “Animal care” was in 1997 when I was part of the participants at his company’s organised seminar and workshop at TCC Ogere Remo and also in 1998 at Sheraton hotel and towers, Ikeja, Lagos. I was just about four (4) years into poultry production then. In addition, my four (4) years of experience as the Chairman, Remo Poultry Association drew me closer to him and his wealth of knowledge guided me.
He successfully positioned himself as a role model and a mentor to many of us that knew and heard about him and his company. He, directly and indirectly, built an army of poultry farmers right from Remo land to the entire Southwest and by extension entire Nigeria.
His company’s name “Animal care” is synonymous to Poultry! Many of us, poultry entrepreneurs came out from his school of thought following or adopting his philosophy.
Dr. Olatunde Agbato (KJW) was an enigma worth studying by research students, owing to the fact that, he was one of the rare Nigerian entrepreneurs that have converted an idea into a business venture, nurtured it and saw it grow for more than four decades(40 years plus)! He successfully convinced many of us that, one could start a family business and make it a big adventure in spite of our nation’s economic situation.
As he used to say: The major requirements are: vision, courage, action and hard work diligently carried out.
When one complains of lack of government supports, Baba would reply; “run your race alone and at a time the government authority will look for you”! this has been our “watchword”.
Baba successfully positioned Remo and Ogun State to be the champion of Poultry Enterprise in Nigeria; he made Ogun State envy and the Mecca for other states by positioning the annual Nigeria poultry show similar to that annual American poultry show in Atlanta(IPPE) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The presence of his organisation is being felt in all regions that made up Nigeria.
In his hometown, Ogere, Animal Care is like a school that any Ogere son and daughter would like to pass through before thinking of making any other exploits outside Ogere town.
Quoting the words of Prince Adeyemi Adefulu (MFR) ” Olatunde Agbato was a prince, a man of Sterling qualities, so humble and self-effacing that he often passed unnoticed”
My personal encounters at many social gatherings confirmed this, he will tell the MC, I don’t want any recognition here and so be it. When you consider the quantum of achievements of this great man of Remo, one will be wondering about the humility in him.
May God in his infinite mercy console his family, Animal care team, the entire Remoland/Ogun State and the entire Poultry Association of Nigeria.
Succession – I have no doubt, that the legacy left behind by our role-model and mentor will continue to live after him from generation to generations because Baba had during his lifetime developed a structure for his organisation and successfully transferred management to a well trained and cultured army of the second generation.
I pray to God to give the team of Animal Care Services Konsult, the strength, knowledge and courage to continue the vision of their founder so as to do more exploits in Nigeria and the West Africa at large.
Sun re, ni aya Olugbala re ( Rest in Peace)” he concluded.
Asiwaju Taiwo Olusanya
Taiyelolu Farms Ltd.
