Oliver Eniola Johnson (1939 – 2019)

The 16th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja, Oliver Eniola Johnson has passed on. Born in 1939, he died on April 27, 2019 in London at the ag eof 80, the day his son, Niyi Johnson got married in Lagos.

He devoted his life to the service of Rotary, at Rotary Club, Ikeja since he joined the club on March 3, 1971, over 48 years ago.

He was an advertising and public relations expert. Through that calling, he expanded the allure of Rotary to so many people, who later became members. He nurtured them on the objectives and ideals of Rotary Club.

Not only that, he led by example and was a “stickler for discipline, integrity, punctuality, order and cleanliness.” O.J, as he was fondly, called, had passion for neatness. He applied Rotary ideal of “fairness” to diffuse every situation.

O.J’s sojourn in Rotary had another unique side to it. He usually visited, shared fellowship with many Rotary Clubs in Lagos. He would attend the meeting of Rotary Club, Ikeja on a Monday afternoon and still found time to share fellowship with one or two other Rotary Clubs within the week. He craved for friendship, which is what Rotary is all about.

O.J loved travelling. He visited many countries to attend Rotary international conventions. Such conventions were held in Brazil, Italy, United States, Canada among others.

His strong commitment to discipline and hard work characterised Rotary Board Meetings in the 1970’s. He, along with others, prepared written reports and analysed for board meetings as well as club assemblies. Members were usually grilled thoroughly when defending reports in order to convince the club that they were, indeed, up to the task.

Johnson became President of Rotary Club, Ikeja in 1982/1983 Rotary year. He once attempted to be a District Governor in 1991 and was actually got nominated. He almost got confirmed, until a challenge was made and the late Pa Adekunle Kukoyi won.

He devoted his time, energy and resources to serving Rotary, and only settled for an assistant governorship role. He died as a Past Assistant District Governor.

The late Justice Ademola Adeoba, Pa Anofi Goubabia, Chief Eniola Adeshingbin, Pa Ade Kukoyi, Roch Oshilaja, Phil Dudeney, Pa Emmanuel Ola and Chief Joe Harold, will all receive his soul into their class of men, who served Rotary with all their mind, might and resources.

He attended his last Rotary meeting in January 2019 and died on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

Rest in peace, Oliver Eniola Johnson! Your life of service to humanity will continue to be appreciated by all of us at the Rotary Club of Ikeja.