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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