Our Benefactors

Early Years

Josiah Kayode Joseph Owodunni was born in Ijebu Odogbolu on October 10, 1934 to Mr. Adegoke Owodunni, an Anglican goldsmith, and Alhaja Jemilat, a Muslim fish merchant from the prominent Alowosile family. He was raised with an appreciation for both faiths and his Muslim name was Abdul Karim, meaning “servant of the most generous”. Daddy was blessed with four siblings on the paternal side: Mr. Moses Popoola Owodunni, Mr. Jacob Kolawole Owodunni, Mrs. Wuraola Kadiri, and Mrs. Adedotun Okumodi and two on the maternal side: Alhaji Sule Olawole Oduyemi, and Mrs. Modupe Durojaiye, all of blessed memory.

Daddy lived his early years in Odogbolu with his mother and attended primary school at St. Paul’s School in Ijebu Odogbolu until Standard 5 when he gained admission to the prestigious CMS Grammar School in Bariga, Lagos. He lived with an uncle in Olowogbowo in the heart of Lagos Island where he recalled with nostalgia the company of his best friend Pa Kayode Okubule, Pa Ernest Shonekan, Chief George Amurun and others. After completing his studies at CMS in 1953, he commenced work with Barclays Bank in Lagos before travelling to Scotland.

Marriage and Career

In 1956, Pastor Owodunni met his late wife, Mabel Olufunke Owodunni (nee Ogunnaike) at a Christmas festival in Odogbolu, and they soon began their courtship. Two years later, his then fiancée joined him in Glasgow, Scotland, commencing her training course as a registered nurse. They married on 31 March 1962, and they enjoyed forty-five blissful years of marriage until she preceded him in death in 2007.

In 1957, Daddy successfully secured a scholarship to study accountancy in Glasgow. He was articled with Stewart, McNair and Co. and, in 1962, became the first Nigerian to qualify as a Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

That year, with his wife and their newborn daughter, he moved back to Lagos and immediately commenced work with British Petroleum (“BP”). Focusing on the downstream and marketing, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Finance Director and, later the acting Managing Director of BP.

In 1978, Daddy resigned from BP to form his own accountancy practice, initially in partnership with another accountant, and later as a sole proprietorship, Kayode Owodunni & Company (“KO&Co). The firm quickly established a reputation for exceptional tax consulting services for local and expatriate companies in Lagos, Warri, Kaduna and Kano. His clients consisted largely of manufacturing and service sector corporations with a strong contingent of Lebanese and foreign ownership. Based on his excellence and integrity, his clients often became long-lasting friends and business associates. This was especially the case with Lebanese brothers Ali and Hafeez Sulaiman, with whom he was especially close and who both preceded him in death.

Initially, KO&Co opened its offices at Abibu Oki Street on Lagos Island before relocating to Bamgbose Street and subsequently to Dolphin Estate Ikoyi. Daddy took great pride in developing his employees. Years later, the staff still remark on his generosity of spirit, the family atmosphere he forged, and the fact that he checked all their work without ever using a calculator. While at KO&Co, five of his staff secured their qualifications as Associates of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. Daddy eventually retired from the profession in 2005.

Daddy was highly tolerant and rarely complained about anything. In Yoruba, one would say “wo ni ifarada”. Twenty years ago, while recovering from a particularly serious illness his Doctor asked him “how are you doing, Mr. Owodunni?”. Daddy responded with his perfunctory and usual “perfectly alright”. To which the Doctor erupted in laughter that obviously he wasn’t perfectly alright otherwise he would not be in the hospital.

Celestial Church of Christ

Daddy and his young family attended the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Ebute Ero, Lagos where he was an active member of the congregation. He was introduced initially to the Celestial Church of Christ (“CCC”) through a friend whose spouse had made a remarkable recovery from a debilitating illness. Much to the chagrin of Reverend Faji and Reverend Bamisebi at Ebute Ero, Daddy and his family started to practice their Christian faith in the Celestial Church, joining the fold in Makoko, Lagos in 1971.

CCC Hymn 958 became his guiding light and he devoted the preponderance of his material

endowments to the service of God.

Ma f’owo mi yin o logo

Ma f’owun ti mo ni yin o Baba

Ere ki lo le je fun mi

Nigba ti mo bati wo ‘nu ile lo

Erupe ile ko le yin o logo o Baba mimo

I will glorify you with my money

I will honour you God with everything I have

What will these be worth me when I am gone from this earth

For the dust of the earth cannot glorify you, O Lord

Shortly after joining the Celestial Church of Christ at Makoko, Daddy and a group of close friends began holding weekly Sunday services at his home at Oyediran Street in Surulere. This group of worshippers grew quickly in number and, in 1973, Pastor JKJ financed and built the Celestial Church of Christ in Ijeshatedo. The church’s Pastor Founder SBJ Oshoffa christened the parish “Oluwaseyi”, literally “the Lord has done this”. It was the first Celestial Church of Christ parish to be christened and subsequently led to other parishes following the practice.

Focused on steadfast devotion to Almighty God and His holy word, the parish grew bountifully and dutifully under Pastor JKJ’s leadership as President of the Parochial Committee. Forty-seven years later, Oluwaseyi is known across the Celestial world for strict adherence to the Pastor Founder’s tenets, early adoption of the celebration of Holy Mary’s Day, strong relationships with other religious leaders of all faiths, and a commitment to serving the needy.

In addition to CCC Oluwaseyi, Pastor Owodunni established three parishes in Ogun State: Moriwi, Odogbolu, and Imeko. He also advanced the spiritual and physical growth of other CCC parishes across Nigeria and Benin Republic. Prior to his passing, SBJ Oshoffa gave Pastor Owodunni the name “Joseph”, the son of Jacob.

Defending the Constitution

Pastor Owodunni’s Christian journey was complex but steadfast. He fought many battles on the side of the Lord and on the side of truth. He was one of seven parochial committee members who sat with the Reverend Pastor Founder to prepare a written constitution. In 1978, Daddy brought to light that the Pastor Founder’s name had been intentionally omitted from the official registration documents of the Celestial Church of Christ in Nigeria. He was instrumental in rectifying this omission in 1980. Also in that year, the Constitution was formally promulgated on March 29 and the Pastor Founder formalised the establishment of the only legitimate Board of Trustees of Celestial Church of Christ, which included JKJ Owodunni.

In accordance with Section 111 of the Constitution, Pastor Founder SBJ Oshoffa duly chose Pastor Owodunni as his successor. Nonetheless, following the Pastor Founder’s death in 1985, a rebellion by trusted officials resulted in a crisis in the church. Consequently, Pastor Owodunni, and other shepherds loyal to the will of the Pastor Founder, formed the Oshoffists group to defend the Celestial Church.

For over 30 years, Daddy dedicated his spiritual, intellectual, financial, and legal resources towards defending the constitution. He fought all the way to the Supreme Court. In 1995, the highest court in the land unanimously held that the purported appointment of a pastor by certain members of the church was null, void and unconstitutional. Despite the ruling, the legal challenges to Pastor Owodunni’s spiritual appointment by the Pastor Founder continued.

Pastor JKJ was relentless, uncompromising, and incorruptible in his commitment to the Almighty, to Christ-filled love, and to the will of the Holy Spirit. Following his passing, we are rest assured that he and the Pastor Founder will continue their dedicated defence and spirited support of the church.

A Legacy to Emulate

God blessed the Reverend Pastor with an uncommon equanimity; he had the faith to accept God’s will in all things. He strove to imbue his children with this same spirit. His most common response to worries or concern was “Bi Oluwa ba tife”. In English, “as God wills”.

Daddy was the antithesis of the stereotypically stingy Ijebu man. He gave willingly, broadly and quietly - often to the astonishment of family. When he made such donations for school fees or major expenses, he would rarely let his wife or children know, always saying that “the left hand shouldn’t know what the right hand is doing” which meant that such acts were not for public knowledge. He had remarkable empathy for all God’s children regardless of social standing.

He enjoyed listening to Bob Marley’s music and yelling “ehh” in amazement as he watched football. He absolutely loved discussing local and international politics.

God blessed Pastor Owodunni and his late wife with seven children: Mojisola, Adeola, Olajumoke, Adetoye, Olapeju, Oluwaseyi, and Oreoluwa. As parents, they ensured that each child received the best education, was nurtured and supported at every point, and raised with fundamental Christian values.

He is survived by his children, his children-in-law (Paul, Abayomi, Folake, Jumoke and Precious), and his grandchildren (Demilade, Damilare, Timilehin, Tobiloba, Toyosi, Isaac Moshope, Ayomide, Faith Adewura, Grace Yewande, Tirenioluwa, Oluwatomisin and Jesutoni). Due to COVID travel restrictions, Pastor JKJ had to wait seven months to meet his youngest grandchild, Jesutoni. In his final days, Daddy beamed with pride and gratitude that the Almighty gave him the chance to meet and cradle Toni in his arms.

He is also survived by thousands of his children in Christ. He was always available and patient in listening to the plight and proffering both spiritual and practical solutions. Baba was a father to many both within the Celestial Church of Christ and beyond.

Harmonious Homecoming

Pastor JKJ Owodunni leaves behind a legacy of service, charity, worship, and steadfast faithfulness. His last visit to church was on 1 November 2020 for the Harvest Thanksgiving Service at CCC Oluwaseyi International Headquarters. Following the sermon, the Pastor paused, looking around the congregation deliberately then, with a strong and steady voice, he prayed fervently for the church and its mission. Typically, prayers in the Celestial Church end with 7 halleluyahs. On this day, Pastor JKJ asked the congregation to chant seven sets of 7 halleluyahs. Directly afterwards, he left the church and headed home.

In his last weeks, the Pastor repeatedly heard the sounds of organs and trumpets playing. He was surprised that those around him could not hear the same melodious music. On 20 November, he saw an apparition of Holy Mary in his room, pointing repeatedly at where she stood even though those around him could not see this heavenly figure. On 27 November he slept in the Lord.

We thank the Lord for Pastor JKJ’s sojourn in this world, fighting for truth and righteousness in the Celestial fold. Everywhere he went he lifted people’s spirits and shared God’s love. Our joy is in the belief that he received a hero’s welcome with trumpets resounding triumphantly and with the embrace of the heavenly hosts, granting him eternal rest, and shining God's perpetual light upon him. Amen.

Halleluyah!

Family Background

Mother Superior, Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, Mabel Olufunke Owodunni nee Ogunnaike, was born on 11 December, 1934 to the family of late Chief Joshua Claudius Ogunneye Ogunnaike and the late Mrs. Agnes Mosa Abosede Ogunnaike (nee Osinaike) in Agada Quarters, Odogbolu in Ogun State.

Her father, who at that time worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Special Branch of the Nigerian Police Force, eventually became a well accomplished produce merchant and cocoa trader while her mother was a textile trader.

As a staff of the NPF, her father was transferred from time to time to various parts of the federation which significantly influenced her education. Shortly after her birth, her father was posted to Zaria Township in the Northern Region. It was there that our celebrant started her elementary school education.

Upon returning from Zaria in 1943, she continued her primary school education at the Holy Trinity School, Ebute-Ero in Lagos. However, in 1944, she followed her uncle, Chief J.S.O. Ogunnaike, the first Nigerian Resident during the colonial era, when he was transferred to Enugu.

She subsequently attended St. Paul’s School, where she was appointed as the Senior Girl’s Prefect before finally moving to Lagos to attend Princess Girl’s School Apapa Road, Ebute Meta where she completed her secondary school education.

Life as a Nurse and Textile Merchant

Our Mother Superior began her nursing career in 1956 at the General Hospital School of Nursing on Broad Street in downtown Lagos. It was about this time that she first met her husband-to-be, Pastor Josiah Kayode Owodunni at Odogbolu during the Christmas celebration of 1956.

In 1957, he travelled abroad and she followed suit shortly thereafter enrolling at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride, Glasgow, Scotland, where she trained to become a registered nurse. Upon successful completion of her nursing program, she got married to Pastor J.K.J. Owodunni who was, at the time, obtaining his qualification as a Chartered Accountant of the renowned Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

In December 1962, she and her husband returned to Nigeria from Scotland, to commence their lives together in Lagos. Mama continued her nursing career at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba. Initially starting in the Casualty Department. During her career she would also rotate to the Outpatient Annex in Yaba, the Staff Clinic and eventually the Central Sterilizing Department in LUTH.

In 1971, Mother Superior Owodunni began the next chapter in her career as a wholesale/retail textile merchant. With divine blessings and her mother’s financial assistance, she opened her first Giltspur Agencies Store on Nnamdi Azikwe Street in 1972. She would eventually expand with the addition of a second store on the same street in 1978. Her textile focus was on upholstery fabrics and school uniform materials. She eventually retired from the business in 2000, after two and a half successful decades.

Christian Life

Always a committed Christian, she joined the Celestial Church of Christ with her husband in 1971 at the Makoko Parish after previously worshipping at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Ebute-Ero. In the following year, they moved to establish the Celestial Church of Christ, Ijesha-Tedo 1 Oluwaseyi Parish, where they worshipped until God’s Call to Glory.

Initially as parish matron and subsequently as Mother Superior, C.C.C. Worldwide, our celebrant of today forged the church’s support of various charitable causes. In conjunction with the Church’s annual Holy Mary’s Day Celebration held in July annually, our Mother Superior led the Church’s commitment to various organisations including:

• Old People’s Home Yaba;

• Wesley School for Deaf and Dumb 1 & 2 (Surulere, Lagos);

• The Paccelli School for the Blind (Surulere, Lagos);

• The Atunda-Olu School Adeniran Ogunsanya (Surulere, Lagos);

• Ile-Aanu Oluwa School Adeniran Ogunsanya (Surulere, Lagos);

• Motherless Babies Homes (Lekki Phase 1, Lagos);

• National Orthopaedic Hospital (Igbobi, Lagos);

• Modupe-Cole Memorial Child Care Centre (Yaba, Lagos)

• SOS Children’s Village (Isolo, Lagos);

• Sisters of Charity, Mother Theresa (Ketu, Lagos);

• Ijamido Motherless Children’s Home (Otta, Ogun);

• Cerebral Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos);

• Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Centre (Ikorodu, Lagos);

• The Majindu Home for the Destitute;

Our Mother Superior was foremost a dedicated Christian whose faith rested on our Lord Jesus Christ. During her lifetime, she had received many spiritual visions. On multiple annual Holy Mary’s Celebrations, she had seen apparitions of heavenly hosts in full regalia gathered around the inner altar to honour the feast of the Blessed Virgin.

Additionally, when the Holy Mary’s Cathedral was being constructed, it was divinely revealed unto her the specifications of the windows and doors (including colour), the positioning of the Holy Mary’s statue within the Church, and the construction of the Virgin’s grotto and the life-size crucifix in front of the cathedral.

In her dreams a myriad of spiritual hymns were revealed to her for the Celestial Church of Christ in particular and the world at large. Some of the best known of such hymns are:

Olorun airi

Olorun airi

Ire n’on segun fun wa

Olorun airi

Ire n’on segun fun wa o

D’abobo re bo bo wa pata pata

D’abobo re bo bo wa pata pata

Invisible God

You conquer our enemies

Invisible God

You conquer our enemies

Protect us completely

Protect us completely

Imisi, la t’oke orun wa

Imisi, la t’oke orun wa

Iya mimo, mama Maria

Fi fun wa, l’ojo oni o

Breath of Heaven

Holy Mother, Mother Mary

Give unto us this day

Ki lo ye ka fun Jesu? Ope, ope

Ki lo ye ka fun Jesu? Ope, ope

Ki lo ye ka fun Jesu? Ope, ope o

Oba na to da wa si do ni

Ope ni fun Jesu, Ope ni fun Jesu

What should we render to Jesus? Thanks, thanks

What should we render to Jesus? Thanks, thanks

The King who has watched over us till today

Thanks to Jesus, Thanks to Jesus

Ajodun re tide, Ajodun re tide

Ajodun re tide, Ajodun re tide

Mama Jesu Olugbala

Ayaba olu orun, Oba awon angeli

Mi si wa Iya rere

Wundia Mimo

Olore ofe julo, mama Jesu Oluwa

Wa ba wa pe

Ni ajodun re t’oni

Wa bukun f’a wa omo re.

Your Celebration Day is here, Your Celebration Day is here

Mother of Our Saviour Jesus

Queen of Heaven, Queen of Angels

Give us the Breadth of God, Good Mother

Blessed Virgin

Most Gracious, Mother of Jesus Christ

Abide with Us

On this your Celebration Day

Bless us Your Children

Mama Maria wundia mimo

Mama Maria wundia mimo

Mama mama alabukun fun

Mama Maria Wundia mimo

Je Oluranlowo wa nigba gbogbo

Mother Mary, Blessed Virgin

Mother , Mother of Blessings

Mother Mary, Blessed Virgin

Be Our aid at all times

Awa omo re ns’ope ajodun

Awa omo re ns’ope ajodun

Awa omo re ns’ope

Awa omo re ns’ope ajodun

Awa omo re ns’ope

Wa wa wa wa Maria

Gb’ope ajodun oni

Wa wa wa wa Maria

Gb’ope ajodun oni

We are celebrating our Thanksgiving Feast

We give you thanks

We are celebrating our Thanksgiving Feast

We give you thanks

Come, come, come, come, Mary

Receive our thanks offerings today

Come, come, come, come, Mary

Receive our thanks offerings today

Her Family

The Mother Superior was also a dedicated mother and wife whose love, care and tenderness is missed terribly. She was the family rock, a profound counsellor and confidant and the first port of call for all problems. She taught her children how to pray and encouraged them at all times to give thanks to God, moving closer to Him each day. She was a living example of a Christian whose love extended beyond her immediate family to so many others she encountered throughout her life.

Pastor J.K.J. and Mother Superior Owodunni were blessed with seven children: Mojisola, Adeola, Olajumoke, Adetoye, Olapeju, Oluwaseyi and Oreoluwa

The Call to Glory

The Mother Superior travelled to Houston, Texas in U.S.A. There, in the early hours of the morning of Sunday September 9, the Mother Superior reported she had a vision in which she saw herself kneeling down before our Lord Jesus Christ.

He was seated about three feet away in a chair on the right hand side of an Altar. Our Lord and Saviour engaged her in a fairly long conversation. The discussion covered a range of topics which she could not recollect in full. However, she did remember making a number of requests and our Lord Jesus Christ indicated that He would grant them all. She further requested, humbly, when she could hope to have answers to those requests. Our Lord and Saviour replied “on Monday”. She then asked Him if He would instead grant these requests “today, given that today is Sunday”. He gave her an answer which she was unable to recall thereafter.

In consequence, the Mother Superior ordered that a chair be placed on the right hand side of the Altar in memory of His blessed appearance.

Transverberation of her Heart

The Mother Superior traveled to Imeko in Ogun State on 18 October to attend the 22nd Anniversary in memory of the Pastor and Founder of the Celestial Church of Christ, Rev. S.B.J.Oshoffa. During the service on 19 October, the Mother Superior gave an offering of thanksgiving and those in attendance remarked upon her joyous mood. She left Imeko later that evening to return to Lagos. On 21 October, the Mother Superior attended the regular Sunday worship service at Oluwaseyi Parish, International Headquarters in Ijeshatedo. Hale and hearty, she also offered thanksgiving at this service.

The Mother Superior, accompanied by Rev. J.K.J Owodunni, attended the Wednesday service at the International Headquarters on 24 October. The “transverberation of her heart” happened thrice during that service; the first occurred immediately she dipped her hand into the bowl containing holy water at the entrance of the Church. An explanation of what happened is as follows:

Each time, she would see before her the figure of a young boy, holding an arrow and thrusting same into her. The instrument would pierce her heart causing her excruciating pain which she would later describe as “out of this world”. Each such episode caused her to groan uncontrollably and then be utterly quiet for a period of ten to twenty minutes. However when the pain subsided, she would be perfectly healthy and vibrant once again.

After the service, the Mother Superior spent several hours in meeting feeling no ill effects of the three episodes. The transverberations continued to reoccur on Thursday, Friday and Saturday when the frequency of the said episodes increased and their duration grew longer. Complaining of these episodes which she could not understand, the Mother Superior went to the hospital on Sunday which was 28 October. Later that day, in the presence of her children and husband, she yielded up the ghost and rested in the Lord. May God Almighty bless her gentle soul (Amen).

“Transverberation Of The Heart”: Historical and Religious Context

The events described above are similar in all material respects to accounts regarding St. Teresa of Avila, Spain (1515-1582) when she was touched by His magnificent grace. The Carmelites, a Roman Catholic religious order term this “Transverberation of the Heart”, a mystical grace wherein angels appear to pierce the heart with a dart of love.

St. John of the Cross described Transverberation as follows:

“It will happen that while the soul is inflamed with the

Love of God it will feel that a seraph is assailing it

by means of an arrow or a dart or a spear which is all

afire with Love. And that seraph pierces and, in an

instant, cauterizes the soul, which, like a red-hot coal or

better a flame, is already enkindled. The soul is

converted into an immense Fire of Love. Few persons

have reached these heights.”

A quotation from St. Teresa’s autobiography reads, thus:

“I saw an angel beside me toward the left side, in

bodily form…He was not very large, but small, very

beautiful, his face so blazing with light that he

seemed to be one of the very highest angels, who

appear all on fire. They must be those they call

Cherubim…I saw in his hands a long dart of gold

and at the end of the iron there seemed to me to be

a little fire. This I thought he thrust through my heart

several times, and that it reached my very entrails.

As he withdrew it, I thought it brought them with it, and

left me all burning with a great love of God. So great

was the pain, that it made me give those moans;

and so utter the sweetness that this sharpest of pains

gave me, that there was no wanting it to stop,

nor is there any contenting of the soul with less than

God”. (St. Teresa, Life…Chapter 19).

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For the 2005 celebration of the feast of the Transverberation of St. Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite Order sang the following hymn:

“A sweeter pain, a death more dear

Must win for you a wider fame

No mortal hand’s to wield the spear

That kindles your consuming flame

Victim of God’s unbounded Love

Let our heart’s burn with like desire

Lead all your retinue above

That none may taste eternal fire

Jesu, celestial choirs adore U,

You, Bridegroom of all virgins pure

And wedding songs unceasing pour

While endless ages shall endure.”

An understanding of the Mother Superior’s Call to Glory and of the historical precedent for transverberation of the heart, sheds light on her last days as well as on her life. May the Blessed Virgin Mary receive her at the Gates of Heaven with open arms saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:23) Amen.