BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Oladejo Afolabi Olawale was born in Ogbomosho North, Oyo State on 15th March, 1934 to Mr. James Olawale, a businessman and Madam Abebi Olawale, a trader. He was the second child and only son of the three children of his mother. He was also the first son but the fifth child of the eight children of his father. His mother died in 1955 when he was just 21 years old.

Educational Pursuit

Dr. Olawale had his primary education at the Baptist Day School, Ogbomosho; but later moved to Jos to complete his primary education at Baptist Day School, Jos – Plateau State at the request of his maternal uncle, Mr. Ogunjumo who was then the Headmaster of the school. His was a story of providence, getting more than hoped for out of life. Among his many peers surviving is Engr. Sunday Adigun who has remained a lifelong friend and confidant. He continued his education at the Government College, Keffi after his secondary education. In 1955, he went for his HSC at the Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife after which he moved to Lagos. He took up a job with Shell D’Arcy (now Shell Petroleum Development Company) in 1956 as a laboratory technician. Three years on the job, he applied for a Federal Government scholarship through the information he got from his friend, Mr. Isaac Akande. He was awarded a full scholarship to study Optometry at the University of Toronto, Ottawa in Canada in 1960. However he was not quite fulfilled in the course and had to quit.

In 1962, he left Canada for the United States of America where he was for nine years in the pursuit of another course of study. He did a remedial programme at the University of California Davis Campus. Following his exceptional performance, he was inducted into the fraternity of Alpha Zeta, California, Gamma Chapter in November 1965.

He was thereafter offered admission into the Tuskegee University, Alabama, where he bagged a B.Sc in Agriculture in 1969. He thereafter proceeded to study Veterinary Medicine at the same University and on completion of the course he was awarded Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. In addition, he went through a course in Epidemiology in Veterinary Public Health at the US Department of Human Education and Welfare Atlanta, in March1971.

On completion of his study, he returned to Nigeria and was offered a job at the Nigerian Veterinary Research Institute, VOM, Plateau State from where he later crossed to Lagos Ministry of Agriculture as a Veterinary Officer in 1972. While in service in the ministry, he won a United Nations scholarship for his Master’s degree at the University of Vienna, Vienna Austria where he specialized in Immunogenetics. He also had hands on tutelage in Artificial Insemination in Kenya among other courses and seminars he attended within and outside the country. He later resigned his appointment from the Lagos State Service in 1981 to start his own business which provided veterinary service as well as consultation to his numerous clients (individuals and corporate organizations including government agencies). This he continued until he retired from active service.

Marital Life

During his service with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, he found his better half in the then Dr (Miss) Omolora Seymour, a veterinary doctor like himself and a graduate of the prestigious University of Ibadan who later rose to become the first female director of Veterinary Services in the ministry. The bond between the two was strong and which led to the solemnization of their wedding at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos on the 20th July, 1974. 

The union was blessed with five sons and seven grand children.

Christian life

Ever since he found Jesus Christ in 1994, he had been very committed to the work of God especially at the Redeemed Christian Church of God – Livingstone Assembly which he joined in November 1997. He was re-baptized in RCCG in December 1998. Thereafter he joined the workers in training and become a worker in 1999. Thereafter he enrolled into the school of Disciple and graduated in September 2001. He was ordained a minister in 2005 and was appointed as one of the counselors for young people and intending couples. He was also the minister in charge of Believers’ Class and later made a patron.

Lifestyle in General

He was a lover of sports and loved football in particular. He was the football captain at Keffi College and  Oduduwa College, Ife. He was ever thankful to God and never ceased to testify to anyone that comes his way about the goodness and favour of God upon his life for the past and present. He could walk long distances without exhaustion and could read the tiny prints of the bible without glasses till his passing. His mental faculty was intact and he enjoyed reading and sharing the word of God. He enjoyed a very good health and his passage to glory was swift.

He is survived by wife, children, grandchildren, brother, nieces and nephews.