NATHAN OLUWAMOLAGA OSHIKANLU

Nathan Oluwamolaga Oshikanlu was born on the 19^th November 1938, in Imupa, Ijebu- Ode, Ogun State of Nigeria to late Pa Emmanuel Aina Oshikanlu and Regina Oladunni Oshikanlu (Nee Nęyę).

He was raised in the truth from early childhood as his parents left the Anglican Church in the mid- 30s and became Jehovah’s Witnesses. He became convinced of the religious teachings imparted to him by his parents and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on 24^th December, 1954. He never once turned back from his implicit faith in Jehovah.

Nathan started his formal primary school education at St. Saviour’s School, Ijebu- Ode from 1946 to 1953. He later gained admission to Ijebu-Ode Grammar School for his Secondary School education from 1954 to 1959.

After his secondary school, he was employed by the Nigerian Railway Corporation in October, 1960 in the Personnel Department as a Clerk Grade 2. As time went on, he decided to make his secular career with the Nigerian Railway Corporation as a result of the many Personnel Management Training Courses he received. He was sponsored by the Corporation to attend a six-month intensive course at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) to study Public Administration. He attended other advanced and intensive courses in Industrial Relations, Manpower Development and Organisation and Methods.

He rose through the ranks and by dint of hard work, he rose to the post of Assistant Director (Personnel, Manpower Development and Training) on his retirement on 26^th October, 1995 after 35 years of illustrious and meritorious service.  He was an Associate Member of the Institute of Personnel Management (Nigeria)

Nathan married Adenike Oyinola (now Honey; nee Otubushin) on 10^th February, 1973. Their marriage was blessed with three children – Ruth (Tosin), Nick (Olu) and Michael (Banky) and four grandchildren – Joshua, Lilly, Carsten and Steffen.

Nathan loved people and the ministry.  Before migrating to England in December 2004, he volunteered his time in helping people to come to the accurate knowledge of Jehovah, a testament to his pioneering spirit.

Nathan loved children and enjoyed his tennis, football and travelling.  He was a passionate Chelsea and Brentford Football Club supporter, which influenced his first grandson, Joshua to follow in his footsteps.  He loved learning to keep his brain young and alert. On arriving in London, he successfully completed a course in CLAIT Computing.  He later completed a course in British Sign Language in his grandson’s Primary School, and learned Spanish as such languages were useful in his Christian ministry and also to encourage his grandson who also learned Spanish at school.

As we reflect on Nathan’s 67 years of dedicated service to his loving heavenly Father Jehovah, we look forward to the time when he will be resurrected into the restored paradise by Jehovah God our great Shepherd.  It is not all over for Nathan.  He remains safely in Jehovah’s memory and we eagerly await welcoming him back to life.

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