By Kayode Awojobi
The final obsequies of Revd John Adegoke Okesina Okesiji, JP, age 92, has been announced. He died peacefully on Sunday, 5th July 2020.
Revd Okesiji was born on Sunday, August 19, 1928, in Okeho, Oyo State and he was an ordained minister of the gospel who did exploits as a Baptist Pastor and made laudable contributions to the Nigerian Baptist Convention at large. He had the opportunity of pastoring these churches- Iwofin Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, 1953; First Baptist Church, Agurodo in 1954; Irepodun Baptist Church, Iware Road, 1956; Immanuel Baptist Church, Akeetan, Oyo town December 1958- January 1959; Alaafia Oluwa Baptist Church, Fiditi, 1959- 1960; Ori-Oke Baptist Church; Oke Isoko Baptist Church, 1961-62; First Baptist Church, Isokun, Oyo, 28th December 1963, where he was inducted into the full gospel ministry on January 19, 1964. He left the church in December 1965. First Baptist Church, Isia, Okeho June- December 1967.
The Reverend Gentleman took over the pastorate of the First Baptist Church, Okelerin, Ogbomoso from January 1968 to December 1998. To the glory of God, he had a fulfilling ministry while in the church.
Some of the notable positions he held during his lifetime include Member, Western State Schools’ Board, January 1972- December 1974; Member, Board of Governors, Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, 1974-1983; 1989- 1995; Founding Chairman, Joint Baptist Pastors School now Baptist College of Theology, Oyo, 1977; Member, Oyo State Executive Council, Christian Association of Nigeria, 1980-1998; Representative, Oyo East Baptist Conference to the All African Baptist Fellowship Conference, Harare, Zimbabwe, 1984; Joint Evangelistic Crusade between Nigerian Baptist Convention and Alabama Baptist Convention, 1984 and Member, Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing), April 1994. He was privileged to serve during the administration of Colonel Sasaenia Oresanya and Colonel Nwosu.
Besides spending the last 21 years plus in retirement, he took to counseling and mentoring people. He was an avid person who did not take healthy living for granted. He exhibited uncommon dedication to his family, his denomination, and his communities- Okeho, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Oyo State at large.
The obsequies are as follows- 19th of August 2020, a Service of Songs will be held in his honour at First Baptist Church, Isokun Oyo; 20th of August 2020, Christian Wake Keep at the First Baptist Church, Okelerin, Ogbomoso and on Friday, 21st of August, 2020, Funeral Service and interment at the First Baptist Church, Okelerin, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
He was married to Sarah Adegbenjo Okesiji for 65 years, the union is blessed with 4 children, 15 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren and numerous Spiritual and adopted children.
