John Oladapo Lawoyin's 80th Birthday Celebration
John Oladapo Lawoyin
On July 23, 1933 the home of Rev. James Aloba and Susannah Adetoun Lawoyin of the Oloke/ Oloola house of Ilora, in Oyo State, Nigeria welcomed the arrival of their first son – John Oladapo Lawoyin into the world! With two older sisters and four siblings to follow, John was nurtured and raised in the strict discipline and pedigree of a devout Christian home. Integrity, forthrightness, responsibility and a sense of mission was the culture of his day.
A son of a revered Baptist minister, John was educated at the finest Baptist schools in Nigeria from 1940 through 1955 following which he left Nigeria for, Loughborough, England and obtained a degree in Library sciences.
Life could not be better when in December 1964, shortly after his return from England John got married to his beloved wife of 49 years - Oyeronke Alake (nee Durojaiye)…..And indeed, the two became one. Spurred on by the new lease of energy John went on to obtain 2 masters degrees in Library Sciences and English Literature at Case Western University in Ohio USA.
Bundles of joy flowed as the next generation soon arrived with Omobola Oladoyin their first daughter leading the way into their lives and Ebunoluwa Susan-Sparlene and Oladele Ajao following boisterously.
Back from the US in the early 70’s, Mr. Lawoyin resumed his carrier in Library administration at the University of Lagos until 1997 when he retired and relocated to the USA with his darling wife.
John is an avid sports man – a championship class lawn tennis player having won many titles, and an extraordinary coach. He is also billiards player and enthusiast
John is many things to many people:
To his wife –
“I look on his head and can clearly see a “Cap of Blessedness” on it. His love for his wife and family is obvious”
“Is there any girl who has a passion for achievement? I recommend the likes of John Oladapo as her future partner. I have found fulfillment in marrying my husband because he has encouraged me to go after my passions unlike many who are intimidated by their wife’s progress”
“Dapo is a confident husband. I found out that only men who know their own stuff will refrain from spousal envy and control the spirit of jealousy. I thank God for His Supreme Wisdom and how He matched John with me. “
To his son………
“My father is a man of integrity and a perfect gentleman! He says what he means and means what he says. He has portrayed that in every aspect of his life in words and in deeds. He is never afraid to speak the truth irrespective of whomever he may be standing before. His testimony needs no cross examination. My father is a time keeper, if he says he will be somewhere at a particular time, as long as he is alive he will be there! He is consistent!
To his daughter…….
“My father is very knowledgeable, a keen learner and a very firm disciplinarian. As his child I grew up knowing that when daddy says do not , it is indeed not to be done! He is very passionate about respect for elders. He simply will not tolerate disrespect for the elderly.”
To his colleagues……
“He was called J O . His correspondences were full of philosophy, literary citations from renown authors and humongous grammatical expressions. If you ever got a correspondence from JO you better arm yourself with a dictionary, otherwise – end of story. I mean his supervisors would rather just give him what he wanted than have to go through the intimidation his memos would cause them.”
When asked what makes up his enjoyable moments these days, without a second thought John responds.. …...-"being with his grand kids of course".
And what he loaths the most?.................... - "a so called man who puts down and restricts his wife. "
To a patriarch and mentor, a victor and a facilitator…to a hero and a role model , a guru and a teacher…..to a leader and a gentleman, a true father and a husband,........
....................Happy 80th Birthday sir!
