Rev Pastor Pastor Josiah Kayode Owodunni was born into an Anglican church family eighty five years ago in Odogbolu, Ogun State, Nigeria. He had his elementary education at the Anglican elementary School and his secondary school at the CMS Grammar School, Lagos where he finished in the year 1953. Young Kayode worked briefly at the Barclay’s Bank before proceeding to Scotland where he studied Accountancy and became a chartered Accountant.
When he returned to Nigeria, he joined the employment of British Petroleum, where he rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director until he resigned in 1977. In the year 1970, when Pa. Owodunni returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, he was practicing his profession of Accountancy in partnership with his Friend (Late Adefeso) a former Trustee of the Celestial Church of Christ.
Late Pa. Adefeso regularly brought members of Celestial Church of Christ in sutana to their office for sanctification, while using all Celestial Church of Christ spiritual materials, such as incense, perfumes e.t.c. Pa. Owodunni complained to Pa. Adefeso that, such spiritual practice ought to be done at home as he was not a member of Celestial Church of Christ.
During that period, Reuben Adewusi was a friend to Pa. Owodunni, whom they both returned back from the United Kingdom. The wife of Reuben Adewusi fell ill and Pa.Owodunni supported them with all he could by introducing them to several medical experts. The ailment got worse, which warranted her being taken to Ibadan. Pa. Owodunni decided to pay a visit to the Adewusi, only to meet the woman who was about to die, receiving and entertaining him as a Guest.
His Friend Adewusi narrated the miracle that happened to them at Celestial Church of Christ to Pa. Owodunni on how his spouse got healed. The recovery of Mrs. Adewusi from her failing health convinced Pa. Owodunni to join Celestial Church of Christ in 1970. Three years after he joined Celestial Church of Christ, he solely built the Oluwaseyi Ijeshatedo Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ.
Josiah Owodunni’s first encounter with Rev. S.B.J Oshoffa was at Makoko when he needed to purchase some spiritual items. Someone pointed to the Late Founder, showing Pa. Owodunni the Founder of the church. The Founder was seated with Late Rev. Abiodun Bada and Pa Ajanlekoko. While Josiah was passing, he prostrated and greeted them, immediately Rev. Bada informed the Founder that, this is the man who contributed the substantial amount for the purchase of the Founder’s car. As a new joiner to the church, he was worried to hear that, they hire a vehicle that brings the Founder of this great church and also hire a vehicle that takes him back.
At that time, Papa Oshoffa was the only one managing the church together with his Lieutenants (Pa. Bada and Pa. Ajanlekoko), who were full time church workers. Papa stated the need to have the Board of Trustees and expected names to be suggested. Pa. Owodunni mentioned the likes of Baba Cole and Salako in which the Late Founder declined. Rev. S.B.J. Oshoffa stated that, Supreme Evangelist Bada, Superior Evangelist Ajanlekoko and himself already represents the clergy.
Four additional members of the Trustee will emanate from those who are not full time church workers. Pa. Owodunni suggested the consultation of a Prophet to choose the BOT to the Late Founder. Papa Oshoffa instructed Pa Owodunni to write down the name of Late Adefeso, he also asked Pa. Owodunni to write his own name in which he did. Pa. Owodunni suggested the name of Koiki which was declined by the Founder but asked him to write down the name of Pa.Ogunlesi. The Pastor Founder stated that, the last name should come from Ijeshatedo and that was Pa. S.O. Banjo.
The Reverend Pastor felt for the need of a constitution for the church. He appointed Late Ogunlesi as the Secretary of the Constitution drafting committee. The committee were meeting every Tuesday. The team commenced the drafting of Celestial Constitution from the 29th of February 1976 and concluded the constitution on the 9th of February 1980(4years).
Everything in the constitution was written and decided by the Late Founder. The members of the team only interpreted and translated it to English Language. Pa. S.B.J. Oshoffa paid attention to every word used and was very detailed on how every section of the Celestial Church of Christ Constitution was constructed.
Pa. Josiah Owodunni was appointed the Chairman International Management Committee reporting directly to the Founder, First Vice Chairman, Council of Hon. Evangelist having Papa as the Chairman, Administrator of Late Pa Oshoffa’s Estate and called by the Late Founder Alaga-Ga. Josiah Kayode Owodunni has evidence his interest in the Celestial Church of Christ, by conforming with all the principles laid down by Rev. S.B.J Oshoffa, and his utmost objective is to forever defend the Celestial Constitution.
