Pa. Josiah Olatunji Rowaiye was born on Monday, December 5, 1927, at Odobalogun in Oke-Sopen, Ijebu Igbo, to Pa Isaiah Odubanjo Rowaiye, and Madam Eunice Aranju Rowaiye, both of Oke-Sopen in Ijebu Igbo.
He
started school in January 1938 at the age of ten at St. John’s Infant School
Oke Jaga in Ijebu-Igbo. He moved to Ogbere United Primary School (now St
Phillip Primary School) Oke Agbo in 1940 and obtained his standard six
certificates in 1947. When Pa Olatunji
completed his elementary school education, he learnt a trade to enable him to train his two younger brothers, Adebisi and Olusola.
He
took up employment with Ijebu Igbo Local Authority and was enrolled in the
Sanitary inspector’s Course at Eleyele School of Hygiene, Ibadan from 1949 to
1950, with a refresher course in 1952.
While in Ibadan, he developed an interest in photography, primarily to
gain free admittance to sporting events, and enrolled for photography training.
That decision opened many doors for him and accorded him more recognition than
he bargained for.
On
his return to Ijebu-Igbo, he practised as a part-time photographer in addition
to his full-time sanitary inspector job. The Oba of Ijebu Igbo, the late
Orimolusi, Oba Joel Adeboye, got to know that he was a photographer and
commissioned him to be his official Photographer. From the vantage position of
being the official photographer to the Oba, he learnt a lot about the history
of Ijebu Igbo town and its administration.
Photography
also endeared him to the late Dr Tai Solarin, the then principal of Molusi
College, Ijebu Igbo. This relationship
paid off in Pa Olatunji’s piggery business as Dr. Tai Solarin allowed him to
collect food remnants from the school to feed his pigs. Pa Olatunji was a very
hardworking man who never allowed the challenges of life to discourage him from
achieving his purpose in life. On occasion, he would trek from Ibadan to Ijebu
Igbo two or three times when he ran out of money.
He
was a man of many parts and excelled in them all. He was a full-time sanitary
inspector, a pig farmer and butcher, a photographer, an electrician who also
traded in electrical parts-Olatunde Electrical Stores, an illumination business
operator, a taxi owner and a part-time taxi driver. In September 1961, he left
for the United Kingdom and enrolled at Brixton Day College.
He
obtained the University of London Ordinary Level (O’Level) General Certificate
in Education (GCE) in 1962. Thereafter, he gained admission to Newham Technical
College (now University of NEWHAM), to study electrical engineering.
On
his return from the United Kingdom in 1972, he worked as Electrical Maintenance
Engineer at Metal Box Nigeria Ltd, Apapa from December 1972 to October 1974.
He
later worked at Galvanizing Industries Ltd, Ikeja, as Electrical Engineer from
October 1975 till he retired in 1982.
He
attended various refresher courses and continuing education courses among which
were the University of Lagos Continuing Education Course (CEC 1863), on the
improvement of Management and Administrative skill in 1973, and Yodogawa Steel
Industries Ltd. refresher course in Japan in 1977.
On
retirement from Galvanizing Industries Ltd, Ikeja, he went into the private
business of electrical supplies and installations under the name of Rowodu
Enterprises Ltd, handled various electrical installation projects for NEPA,
and was engaged as a sub-contractor on many other building projects. He joined
Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC) in Ikeja in the mid I 970s,
and joined the Anglican Fellowship. He maintained his membership there till he
died. He was their oldest member.
He
got born again on August 8, 2014, and remained faithful to his Master to the
end. God has manifested His faithfulness to him by fulfilling the number of his
days, 94 years, on earth in good health and prosperity. Pa Olatunji’s first
marriage was to Miss Deborah Adebimpe Opesanwo and was blessed with 3
children. His second marriage to Miss Comfort Adunola Oduwobi was blessed with
6 children. He is survived by all his
children: •Tunde & Dupe Rowaiye •Yomi & Toyin Rowaiye •Jide & Funmi
Rowaiye •Tai & Lai Oshisanya •Toyin & Kroma Wenike-Briggs •Tutu &
Lekan Balogun •Bunmi & Bisi Jacobson •Tosin & Michael Usifoh •Tolu
(Titi) & Derin Adefuwa •Many Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren.
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