Burial arrangements of Pa James Ojo Oni Olowolagba, the Late Olori Ebi of the family of Pa Fasuan Olowolagba of Idemo Street, Orin Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government, who died on 18th March 2024, have been released.

Aged 92, Commendation Mass will be held on April 17, 2024, by 10 am at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Adedayo, Ado-Ekiti. Christian Wake-keep service will be held on April 18, 2024, by 4 pm at the residence of the deceased, Ora Road, Orin Ekiti.

The funeral mass will be held on April 19, 2024, at 10 am at St. John's Catholic Church, Orin Ekiti. Reception follows Mother Mary Emmanuel's Nursery and Primary School Playing Ground, Orin Ekiti.

May Papa soul rest in peace, Amen!

PROFILE OF PA JAMES OJO ONI OLOWOLAGBA

James Ojo Oni was born on a Holy Saturday, April 2, 1932, to Late Chief Mathew Oni Olowolagba and the Late Madam Maria Olowolagba of Idemo Street, Orin-Ekiti (both of blessed memories). His father was the Treasurer of St. John's Catholic Church, Orin-Ekiti (1943-1958), and later Lay President (Babaegbe) of the same Church (1958-1984)

Young Oni, James Ojo started his educational career at St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Orin-Ekiti (1938). He later proceeded to St. Joseph's Catholic Central School, Usi-Ekiti where he completed his primary school education in 1947.

His educational pursuit took him to St. Augustine's Grade III Teacher's College, Akure (1950-1951). and later St. Peter's Grade II Teachers College, Akure (1959-1960).

Pa Oni James Ojo was at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure for the Ordinary Diploma in Agriculture 1967/69 which was preparatory for the National Certificate in Education from Adeyemi College of Education Ondo (1969/70).

His teaching career as a certificated teacher started at St. Columba's Catholic School, Ikoro-Ekikti in January, 1952-1953. His passion for a teaching career took him to many Catholic Primary/Modern Schools in Old Ondo State and later Secondary Schools. Some of the schools where he taught include St. Mary's Catholic School, Araromi Ekiti 1953, St. Michael's Catholic School, Osi-Ekiti (1954-1958), St. Felix Catholic modern School, Otun-Ekiti 1961/62, St. William's Catholic Modern School, Ijero-Ekiti (1963/64), St. Michael's Catholic Modern School, Orin-Ekiti (1965) St. Michael's Catholic Primary School, lloro-Ekiti 1966/67. In many of these schools, he served as Headmaster and Teacher Catechist. His evangelizer as a catechist covered about 24 years.

As an NCE holder, Pa James taught Agricultural Science at Ado Grammar School Ado-Ekiti between 1971 and 1978. He was acting Vice Principal at Ayegbaju Community High School in 1978/1979, and later Vice Principal at AUD. Comprehensive High School, Ado-Ekiti where he retired on September 1983.

Pa Oni James Ojo, a pioneer educated person within the Olowolagba family multiplied himself severally within the nuclear and extended family system and he has every reason to beat his chest with the array of family members in various fields of human endeavor-agriculturalists, medical personnels Aviation expert, administrators in higher institutions, teachers, technicians, etc. An epoch making event happened in 1985 when the Catholic undergraduates of the now Ekiti State University in company of catholic members in Adebayo Area of Ado-Ekiti founded a church known as St. Michael's Catholic Church, Opopogbooro, Ado-Ekiti Pa Ojo James Ojo, because of his experience as a teacher catechist, was made the lay catechist. He functioned in this position for eight years.

Upon his retirement, in order not to be idle at home after a successful teaching career, he joined the Back to Land Programme of the State Government from 1992-1998. He was made the President of a group of farmers working in Orin Farm settlement. He combined this with petty trading. He later went back to the teaching profession when he joined the International Nursery/Primary School, Ado-Ekiti owned by Mrs. Olumilua. Between 1996-1998, he joined Falana High School, Ureje, Ado-Ekiti as Agricultural Teacher.

His residence at Ado – Ekiti had been the meeting point for the Orin National Council, Ado – Ekiiti Branch for the past fifty (50) years.

He passed on to eternity in the early hour of 18th March 2024 at the glorious age of ninety-two (92) years.