Former Gambian diplomat and UN ambassador Dr. Lamin J Marenah has died aged 90, his family announced. 

Dr Marenah, who also a close aide to ex-president Sir Dawda Jawara, passed away on Sunday at his home.

He had distinguished career at home and abroad working for The Gambia government and the United Nations. 

He worked at the Department of Agriculture and was said to have played a key role in the formation of the ‘Jahally Pacharr Rice Project’. 

He also worked as UN Food and Agriculture  (FAO) Regional Director for Africa, as well as  the first Chairman of The Gambia University’s Governing Council.

Dr Marenah is said to have been the first Gambian to achieve a PhD degree in Agriculture.