Gbolahan Afolabi Oni

CHILDHOOD DAYS AND EDUCATION Gbolahan Afolabi Oni was born on the 1st of December, 1950 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, to the family of Mr. Tiamiyu Ayinde Oni and Mrs. Dorcas Atoke Omoyiola Oni, both of blessed memory. He was the second child among several siblings, some of whom are of blessed memory. His late father worked as a civil servant under the then Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, (M.A.N.R.) Western Nigeria, while his late mother was doing traditional fabric dyeing at Idi-Aro, in Ibadan. As was the custom that time, for most working-class couples who had their parents living in the suburban and rural areas, Gbolahan's father decided to relocate him and his younger sister, Rashidat (Mrs Bolaji Lawal) to their paternal grandparents' rural settlement near Ijoko- Otta, called "Fimo" in present day, Ogun State, to commence their primary education at the St. Peters Anglican Primary School, Agoro. Gbolahan distinguished himself as a very intelligent and diligent student and performed remarkably well at the 'O' Level School Certificate Examination to qualify him for the Higher School Certificate Programme on full scholarship. He did his Two-year H.S.C. programme at the Prestigious Government College, Ibadan and again, performed remarkably well to qualify for admission into the Prestigious University of Lagos, also on full scholarship. It was, therefore, by dint of hard work and focused determination that he obtained a Bachelor- Honors Degree and kick-started his ambition to hit the peak of his academic career. After graduation from the University he proceeded to perform the one-year mandatory National Youth Service, which he completed in 1974. He secured employment with the Federal Office of Statistics, now National Bureau of Statistics (N.B.S.) Ikoyi, Lagos. He proceeded to study for his Masters at the University of London, School of Public Health, UK, on full scholarship. At the completion of his Masters in 1979, He proceeded to pursue his Ph.D. at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and later pursued and completed his postdoctoral studies at the prestigious Princeton University in 1991, all on full Scholarships. HIS MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE He met the love of his life, Juliana Morenike Nee Kuye in 1975, while working at the Federal Office of Statistics. He knew from the first time he laid eyes on her, that she was going to be his forever love. Although he had to pursue her a bit, he was a man of faith and he knew exactly what he wanted, and would stop at nothing to make her his wife. She finally accepted his advances and they soon became inseparable. Juliana Morenike left for the UK to study textiles technology and complete her OND. Gbolahan soon traveled to the UK as well, for his Masters degree at the University of London. The love was mutual and they decided to get married while in the UK in 1978. They soon after gave birth to their first child, a male son, and named him Babatunde, marking the demise of his father. At the completion of his Master’s in 1979, Gbolahan and his young family relocated back to Nigeria, in Benin, Nigeria. There, they had their second child, a daughter, and named her Ayodeji. As his career took off, his determination to reach the top grew, and his remarkable brilliance landed him a full ride sponsorship for his Ph.D. at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. He graduated Top of his graduating class and was awarded the Paul A. Harper Award in 1984. His Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to Knowledge at Johns Hopkins University, landed him recognition, whereby a distinguished Honorary Citizenship Award was conferred upon him by the Mayor of Baltimore in 1984. In that same year, Gbolahan and his wife, Juliana Morenike, had their third child, they named her Abiola. After the completion of his Ph.D, Gbolahan and his family of 5, relocated back to Nigeria. He continued his career at the University of Ilorin in Nigeria , where he became professor of public health with specialization in demography and social statistics. While in Ilorin, they had their fourth child Oluseyi. Gbolahan’s drive and ambition to attain as much knowledge and education, to make him outstanding in his career, was relentless. He later traveled back to the United States for his post doctoral at Princeton University, where he was awarded the Frank W. Notestein Fellow: An Award by the Population Council, New York and Princeton University, to an "Outstanding Population Scientist" for further postdoctoral research work in Population Science. Doors of opportunities opened up for him to travel to various other countries. Shortly after, he landed a great opportunity in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he taught community health and biostatistics and mentored staff and students in the department of community medicine and public health. He moved his family back to the United States. After his stint in Saudi Arabia, he relocated to join his family in Baltimore, Maryland. He decided to return to Nigeria in 2013 and teach his specialty of community medicine and public health in one of the newly-established universities – Covenant University, a private Christian university in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. His contributions were significant, as he changed the lives of many, for the better. Upon retirement, he relocated back to the United States, where he resided with his wife until his demise. There is no doubt that Gbolahan was well accomplished. We take comfort in knowing that he was a strong believer in Jesus Christ and he lives on in the faithful care of our Lord forevermore. He is survived by his loving wife, Juliana Morenike Oni, his children, Babatunde Oni, Ayodeji Oni, Abiola Elabor, Oluseyi Oni, Nurudeen Elabor, Kimberly Oni and grandchildren, Menlah Eshun, Jayden Elabor, Christina Elabor, Anna Oni, and David Oni. He will be deeply missed by his close friends, extended family, church community, and all whose lives he touched. If you would like to offer monetary gifts in memory of our beloved husband, father, etc you may Zelle to 443-622-1937. We appreciate your kindness and generosity! Thank you! Hotel Accommodations # RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT 10620 RED RUN, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117 # HAMPTON INN 10521 RED RUN OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117 # HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES 11509 RED RUN BOULEVARD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117

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Gbolahan Afolabi Oni

December 1, 1950 - January 7, 2025