We celebrate the life of our eponym, Zaccheaus Olufolahan Okunoren, on his birth centenary.
Zac was born and bred in Sagamu, Ogun state Nigeria on 4th of March, 1918. His father was reputable carpenter and mother who was a housewife, died when he was 6yrs old. Zac and his two siblings were raised by his maternal aunt.
Zac excelled in school, trained as a teacher and taught mainly in Ijebu Ode and Lagos, Nigeria.
He married Augusta Abosede Sogbamu from Sagamu royal family in 1944 and were blessed with five children. The family moved to Ibadan for Zac to start a career in the civil service.
He joined Western Nigeria production development board which later became Western Nigeria development corporation as a secretary.
He juggled work with studies and obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from London in 1960 and became a member of the Lincoln Inn.
B.Comm.BL
Olufolahan spent most of his working life in Western region civil service and rose to the post of deputy permanent secretary at retirement in 1973.
To remain active, he took up the post of hospital administrator at the University college Hospital, Ibadan for two years.
Thereafter, he maintained a private legal practice till he took his rest on 23rd October, 1983.
He was transparent, efficient and stood for justice and fairness in all positions held. All these earned him the reputation of an extremely honest and straightforward civil servant.
A devout Christian, brought the children up the Christian way of life and ensured they had the best education possible.
He bought and taught himself to play the piano, became the church organist and was a Methodist lay preacher.
He travelled extensively, loved nature and visited horticultural gardens in Europe.
A warm, loving, responsible and wonderful father!
He gave all he had and more to his children and family.
Papa, continue to take thy rest.