September 10, every year is a date of special honours for the Olowookure twins of Ijebu Jesa, the headquarters of Oriade Local Government area of Osun State. It is their birthday, and this year they clocked a privileged age of 92 years on September 10, 2021.
The duo, Professor Theophilus Olatunji Taiwo Olowokure and Rt. Reverend Jacob Olabode Kehinde Olowokure joined the league of nonagenarians on Tuesday, 10th of September, 2019. They were born in Ijebu-Jesa, their home town, on September 10, 1929.
The two were highly successful in their callings and chosen fields. While Taiwo doubles as a professional accountant and an accomplished academician, his twin brother, Kehinde is a minister of God, and both reached the height of their career before their mandatory retirement.
Keen watchers and followers believed the two great men deserve to be celebrated for so many perceptible reasons. Giving birth and raising twins in the late 1920s when there was a high mortality rate required great effort. It takes greater effort for the identical twins to celebrate together 90 years in good health and remain happily married to very caring and virtuous wives. They lost their father when they were young and through hard work and persistence they got to the pinnacle of their chosen careers.
Apparently, what they both achieved must have been borne out of special grace of God, sheer drive to succeed and excel by remaining focused on what they have set out to do. As such, the scholar and his twin brother, the Lord Bishop should be celebrated to serve as an inspiration to many people worldwide.
Professor Theophilus Olatunji Taiwo Olowokure obtained his first degree through correspondence and continued in his academic pursuit to become a Professor of Accounting at University of Maiduguri where he served meritoriously for 31 years.
He spent over six decades in the business of molding and producing high calibre and ethical men and women in Nigeria through mentoring, supervising and teaching. He held numerous administrative positions in and outside the University of Maiduguri. He was head of the Department for several years, Chairman of various academic committees and Deputy Vice Chancellor before he left the institution.
He has many scholastic publications in local and international Journals with over one hundred publications. He has supervised several Theses/Dissertations. He has also been given professional appointments in various organizations and attended various local and international Fellowships, International Courses, Conferences and Workshops. He is a member of many learned and professional associations and he has also been external examiners to many institutions in Nigeria.
Even after he retired from the University of Maiduguri, he continued to contribute to the growth and development of the country. He was appointed as a lecturer at the Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State in 2010 where he also served as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution.
On his part, Rt. Reverend Jacob Olabode Kehinde Olowokure took over as the Diocesan Bishop of Akoko Anglican Church after the retirement of Bishop J. L. Akeredolu on June 29, 1986. At his arrival as the Diocesan Bishop, he had multi-dimensional programme of activities which included Evangelism, Church planting, administrative restructuring, expansion of the economic base of the Diocese and educational development. This agenda of his were faithfully and vigorously pursued.
Consequently, his thirteen years’ tenure as a Bishop was a watershed in the history of the Anglican Church in Akokoland. Many new Churches were planted, a new Nursery and Primary School and a secondary School were founded.
Under his watch, the foundation of a good number of Church buildings and vicarages were laid. Among the churches are Lennon Anglican Church, Okeagbe; Emmanuel Anglican Church, Edo-Ikare; Emmanuel Anglican Church, Akungba-Akoko; All Saints’ Church, Akungba-Akoko; St. Matthew’s Church, Arigidi-Akoko to mention just a few.
On the Economic sector, he facilitated the collaboration between the Diocesan and notable sons of the Diocese in business. Top of the list are Late Chief R. F. Giwa, formerly of Lever Brothers Plc, and Chief Dr. J.O. Sanusi of First Bank Plc.
The tenure of Bishop J.O.K. Olowokure was said to be a golden age. The Clergy were encouraged to further their education, preferment was bestowed on merit, experience and effectiveness. The Rt. Rev. J.O.K. Olowokure retired in 1999 on reaching the age of 70.
Professor T.O.T Olowokure and Rt. Reverend J.O.K Olowokure are, no doubt, a rare breed.
They are unapologetically passionate about humanity, passionate about the future, proud of their heritage as Yoruba men and an ardent proponent for development in their different callings.
–With Reports From Ijesa News.
We join family, friends and well wishers to wish the two great, illustrious Ijesa sons and privileged Elder Statesmen a happy birthday, as we pray they live all their years in peace, good health and divine grace to enjoy more of the fruits of their labour.
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