The remains of former Editor of Lagos Weekend and Sunday Times, Mr. John Jemine Adollo was laid to rest a few days ago in Lagos. Adollo who also edited the Daily Times Year Book died at 83. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Funmilayo & 4 accomplished children.
His Burial rites began on Thursday 20th October, 2022 with the Christian Wake Keep at 10 Degrees Event Centre. The following day, Friday 21st October, 2022 was the Lying-In-State held at 7am at his residence in Oregun.
Funeral Service followed that same day at the Cathedral Church of Christ on Marina, Lagos and Interment was at the Vault & Gardens Ikoyi. That was a Private event.
Entertainment of guests followed at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, and Thanksgiving Service was held on Sunday 23rd October 2022 at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina.
Adollo was born December 27th 1939 in Lagos. He was christened John because he was born on St. John the Baptist day (December 27). He was fondly called Johnny by his friends until the early sixties when he became John J. His father was Pa. John Omereyemi Emico Adollo, a native of Jakpa in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. He was a Civil servant and worked with the Nigerian Railway Corporation for many years. He later became a businessman. He was into Commodities Imports and Exports. His mother was Late Lucy Aduke Adollo – nee Phillips a devout Roman Catholic from the Joachim Family of Lafiaji Lagos. She was engaged in trading. John J. as he was fondly called attended St. Paul’s Catholic School, Ebute Metta. For his secondary school education, he gained admission to Hussey College, Warri in 1955. His admission to Hussey College was a great opportunity to school in Warri, his hometown. He was an athletic student, who played football, table tennis and was also a long distant runner. He loved school and competitive sports.
He finished his secondary education in 1960 and worked briefly at the Nigerian Ports Authority, customs Quay, Marina, Lagos as a documentation clerk. In 1962, John J. left for Britain to further his education, his plan was to study law but events at Tafawa Balewa Square on October 1, 1960, coupled with inspiration from Peter Pan’s writings changed him. While in England he attended Kennington College, North Western Polytechnic and later enrolled for studies at the London College of Journalism on Fleet Street where he obtained his professional Diploma in Journalism in 1 966. John J ‘free lanced with the Daily Mirror, the Daily Telegraph and some local newspapers in London when he met Late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, former Chairman and Managing Director of the Daily Times in London. He was interviewed and was offered a job as a senior sub-editor with the Daily Times in 1967.
He worked with and understudied the likes of Mr. Sola Oluwole, Mr. Mac Alabi, Prince Tony Momoh and Lai Mabinuori. In 1969, he was transferred to the periodicals where he worked with James Ojiako and later became the Editor of Year Books and other periodical magazines, Teachers Journals, Medical Journals, Chartered Engineer etc. In 1972, the Daily Times started a special project and made John J the Supplements Editor with the responsibility of highlighting new industries springing up in Nigeria and organizing exhibitions. In 1974, he became the Deputy Editor of the Sunday Times with Mr. Gbolabo Ogunsanwo as Editor. During his tenure, the circulation of the newspaper rose to more than half a million copies. In March 1976 he became the editor of Lagos weekend; this began his journey to limelight as the effective head of a light hearted journal. Under his leadership the Lagos weekend’s newspaper sale increased from 1 85,000 to about 300,000 copies in less than a year. He also created a popular column “Friday with John Jay”. His hard work was rewarded with a listing in the 3rd Edition of the Marquis Who is Who in Nigeria 1976-1977.
John J resigned from Daily Times at end of 1979, celebrated by colleagues and all in the entertainment and show business. The Daily Times management wrote an article and stated “we have had a number of Editors on the Lagos Weekend, but your name is synonymous with the Lagos Weekend. You may be gone but your dedication to duty constitutes a legacy that will be cherished by all’,
John J joined Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited in January 1980. He was employed as manager Media Relations in the newly created Public Affairs Department of the Company. Hitherto the public Affairs Department of Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited and Mobil Production Nigeria were one unit. He worked with a seasoned marketer and experienced administrator Mr. Godwin Adokpaye. It was due to the untiring effort of both of them that the department was created as a separate unit from Mobil Producing Nigeria.
It was an all-embracing job which included the publication of the house journal Mobil News, Press Relations, Government Relations, etc. Baba Michael Otedola who had just retired as the Public Affairs Manager of Mobil played a significant role with them to nurture the unit to adulthood. He provided adequate training to ensure effective takeoff of the department. After several years at Mobil Oil Limited, he started a consulting firm, New Trend Nigeria Ltd. The company was engaged in Corporate Public Affairs, Media services and Campaigns, Advertising, Printing and Publishing. He was an active member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the Guild of Editors. He was also a member of the Institute of Public Relations and the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria APCON.
John J was a likeable society man, one with social and business contacts where it mattered. He was a member of the Island Club, Ikoyi Club, February 5th Club, Alpha May Club, EFF-EFF Club, and the Tuesday Group. He was the founding member and past President of Rotary Club of Lagos Metropolitan and the Mainland Executive Club
He was a Patron of Stagg Organization, University of Ibadan and the Central Library Society. He was also an active member of Hussey College Old Students Association. He was Chairman of Oregun Residential Estate for eleven years. With the support of the good people of the estate, he brought peace, progress and development to Oregun Estate. He laid a good foundation for subsequent Chairmen to build on. He loved gardening in his spare time; he considered gardening a hobby, an adventure and a form of exercise. He attends to his garden every morning and makes sure in the process he takes between 500 to 600 steps daily.
John J was a devout Christian, a baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic who became an Anglican later in Life. His father was an Anglican and at his old age it was his responsibility to drive him to the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina every Sunday. That was how he became a member of the Cathedral in the Seventies. At the Cathedral he was a member of the Guild of Stewards serving in Group D. He was a founding secretary and past president of the Cathedral Christian Brothers. He was also a patron of the Cathedral Helpers Union. At the local level he was a founding member of the Anglican Church of Transfiguration in Oregun area of Ikeja. He was the first chairman of the Harvest Committee of the Church. He was a good Christian with strong faith and belief in the supremacy of God. He was very prayerful and lived with the fear of God.
John’s life was a life of ease, peace and happiness. He kept a cheerful face at times and never despaired.
John was married to Winifred Ibironke Ogunmuyiwa in London in 1965. The marriage was blessed with a surviving Son, Dr. Lionel Ola Etan Adalia. In February 1979, John married Funmilayo Omolara Adalia – nee Shabo. The marriage was blessed with three children – Anthonia Roli Adeleke, Gloria Alero Aladesulu and John Jemine AdolloJr. He was also blessed with many grandchildren. He was one personality who held many people, including friends and family together. We will miss him. Adieu!
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
