Ezekiel & Olufolawe Odelowo

March 11, 1945 – December 11, 2025

Olufolawe Abosede ODELOWO, aged 80 years, passed away on December 11, 2025. She was born on 11th of March 1945 in Ijebu Mushin, a neighboring community to Isonyin, Ogun State, to Mr. Thomas Olatunji Ogunkoya and Mrs. Janet Olufunmilayo Ogunkoya, both from Isonyin. She passed away three days before her devoted husband of 56 years, Ezekiel Olabanji Odejide Odelowo, with whom she shared many years of love, companionship, and mutual respect; her four sons, her daughters-in-law, and her eleven grandchildren who brought her immense joy. She is further survived by her brother, her sister, as well as her nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters.

When Olufolawe was three months old, her father left for Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone, and later, for the then King’s College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U.K., then a college of the University of Durham for further studies. While her father was away, her mother taught at Immanuel School, Isonyin. When her father returned in 1950, the family moved from Isonyin to Ijebu-Ode where he was made the first Principal of Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode. In 1951, Olufolawe enrolled in Primary 1 at Baptist School Ereko in Ijebu-Ode. While at the school, she met missionaries who came to the school and preached Christ. She gave her life to Christ as a six-year-old child. Olufolawe transferred to Porogun School, Ijebu-Ode where she finished Elementary School in 1956. In January 1957, Olufolawe was admitted to St Teresa’s College, Ibadan and graduated in 1961. In 1962, Olufolawe enrolled in St. Anne’s School, Ibadan, for Post School to take Physics. From January 1963-1964, Olufolawe was at Baptist High School, Olivet Heights, Oyo, for Advance Level. In September 1965, Olufolawe was admitted to University of Ife, and graduated with Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1969.

Olufolawe married Ezekiel Olabanji Odejide Odelowo on June 14, 1969, and relocated to the USA shortly after. While they were both in the US, Ezekiel pursued his residency in general and cardiothoracic surgery at Howard University Hospital, Washington, D.C. and Hahnemann College and Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, respectively. In September 1969, Olufolawe was admitted to George Washington University, Washington D.C. and graduated with Master of Arts in Secondary Education in 1971. The family returned to Nigeria in 1977 and settled in Ile-Ife, Osun State. After the family arrived in Ile-Ife, Olufolawe was employed as a teacher in Modakeke High School at Ile-Ife until they moved to Ilorin in 1978. Olufolawe taught at Ansarul Islam High School from 1978-1980 before transferring to Kwara State Polytechnic in 1980 where she worked until she retired in 2006. While working, Olufolawe enrolled in University of Ilorin from 1984 to 1986 and graduated with a Master of Science in Zoology.

Beyond family and work, Olufolawe was an active member of United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) Theological College Chapel, and subsequently UMCA Chapel of Redemption, both in Ilorin, Kwara State for 47 years, and was actively involved in Gideon International Ministries, Christian Faith in Action, Ladies Fellowship, Adewole House Fellowship, and served as a Matron of Girls Brigade. An avid reader, Olufolawe was unapologetically candid and enjoyed a good joke. She also loved flowers, a good garden, and trying new recipes for healthy meals. She was passionate about her grandkids learning about the Christian faith and committed time to buying them the Daily Guide, and other daily devotionals, and reading the Bible with them. Her life was a testimony of faith, discipline, intentionality, humility, service to God, and service to her community.

Olufolawe always had an attitude of gratitude and was always thankful whatever the circumstances. She believed in making the best of whatever opportunities one had and striving for excellence. She, therefore, did not tolerate mediocrity and would not accept it from her children. She demonstrated sacrificial love and compassion and was always lifting others up and helping them along in life. We will miss her deeply and remember her fondly. We thank God for a life well spent and know that she is resting in the bosom of the Almighty God.

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Biography of Ezekiel Olabanji Odejide Odelowo

August 28, 1938 – December 14, 2025

Professor Ezekiel Olabanji Odejide Odelowo, aged 87 years, passed away on December 14, 2025. He was born on August 28, 1938, in Omido, Kwara State, to Mr. Sangogboyinde Odelowo and Mrs. Adeni-ihun Odelowo. He passed away three days after his wife of 56 years, Olufolawe Abosede Odelowo, with whom he shared many years of love, companionship, and mutual respect. He is survived by his four sons, his daughters-in-law, and his eleven grandchildren who brought him immense joy. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

Ezekiel had his elementary school education at Ara United School, Omido/Arandun and St Michael’s School, Esie in Kwara State in 1946-1951 and 1951-1953, respectively. He attended secondary school at Titcombe College, Egbe, in Kogi State, from 1954-1959. It was at Titcombe College that he made two decisions that set the trajectory for his life: he committed his life to Christ, and secondly, he decided he wanted to be a cardiothoracic surgeon after watching a clip of open-heart surgery on Moody Science Films. He completed his Higher School Certificate at Government College, Keffi, in Northern Nigeria, present day Nasarawa State, from 1960-1961 and returned briefly to Titcombe College to teach from January-September 1962.

Ezekiel attended medical school at the University of Ibadan from 1962-1967 and subsequently completed internship at Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan from August 1967-October 1968. He married Olufolawe Abosede Odelowo on June 14, 1969, at the Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan, and departed for the USA shortly after to pursue his Residency in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery. He completed Residency in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery at Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, and Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania respectively, from 1969-1976. He returned to Nigeria in July 1977 and spent 15 months at the Obafemi Awolowo University Hospital, Osun State, after which he moved to Ilorin, Kwara State, in September 1978. He was initially employed by the Kwara State Ministry of Health, and subsequently by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where he trained hundreds of doctors over his 26 years at the Hospital. While at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, he served as Head of the Department of Surgery and became a Professor of Surgery. He retired at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in October 2006.

Ezekiel pursued his academic studies and medical career passionately, always striving for excellence, while holding himself to a Christian ethical standard. He expected the same mindset in the academic and career pursuits of his children. Ezekiel was actively involved with the Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) at Titcombe College, and the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) at Government College, Keffi. At the University of Ibadan, he participated in Christian activities organized by the Scripture Union, Fellowship of Christian Unions, Pan African Fellowship of Evangelical Students, and UCH Christian Fellowship.

He was a member of a singing group, “The Grumblers” that frequently presented at the Challenge Chapel, and other fellowship gatherings. The nickname “The Grumblers” was given because of a special number sung to match a sermon:

In country, town, or city, some people can be found.

Who spend their lives grumbling at everything around….

Chorus

Oh, they grumble on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,

Grumble on Thursday too.

Oh, they grumble on Friday, Saturday, Sunday,

Grumble the whole week through.

Ezekiel was a member of United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA) Theological College Chapel, and subsequently, UMCA Chapel of Redemption, Ilorin for 47 years. He was actively involved in the church, including preaching at UMTC Chapel and Chapel of Redemption and the Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) at Federal Government College, Ilorin. He was also active in the UMCA Men’s Fellowship, Gideon International Ministries, and the local House Fellowship in Adewole Estate, Ilorin.

As the last of eight children and the only one in his family to receive a formal education, Ezekiel faced many challenges in his early years, but met them with perseverance, unwavering focus, and a clear sense of purpose. He was an ardent follower of Christ who lived a disciplined and honorable life guided by his faith, strong values, quiet wisdom, and a dry sense of humor that brought smiles to those around him. Above all, Ezekiel was deeply committed to his family and community. His life stands as a lasting example of integrity, faith, and love.

We will miss him deeply and remember him fondly. We thank God for a life well spent and know that he is resting in the bosom of the Almighty God.

A viewing will be held at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, located at 4780 E. 126th Street, Carmel, Indiana, 46033, on January 17, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am.

The funeral service will follow at the same location, starting at 11:00 am on January 17, 2026.

Interment will take place at Carmel Cemetery immediately following services.