Dr. Justin Agbolade Odulana

Dr. Justin Agbolade Odulana was born on the 26th of September 1937 in Lagos, Nigeria into the family of Late Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Odulana, who were then residing at 10 Maclean Road, Yaba, Lagos state, Nigeria. Though he was born in Lagos, the Odulana family originally hailed from Ibadan, Oyo State.

As the Odulana family were ardent Catholics, he was christened at St. Patrick Catholic Church (now called St. Dominic Catholic Church). It was here he was given the name Agbolade (which literary means in Yoruba, ‘Wealth has returned’ or ‘wealth has come’) based on the family circumstances; as prior to this, his father, Pa Patrick Odulana had lost his job and the family was struggling financially but when his wife got pregnant with Justin Agbolade, his father was able to regain employment and things started looking bright for the immediate family again.

Dr. Odulana started his elementary education at St. Patrick Primary School. Growing up as a teenager he was a very intelligent and aspiring child, who was popular and loved by friends and family alike. His pastime activities were playing football (soccer) and he loved serving in the Catholic Church.

He attended the famous St. Gregory College, Lagos, which is one of the most distinguished secondary schools in Nigeria. Although. initially he was playful and had a nonchalant attitude to his studies; through encouragement and discipline of his parent and peers he started to excel in academics. After his secondary education, he travelled to London, England to further his education and join his brother, Late Mr. Francis Sunday Odulana who was already there. After finishing his education at University College, Cardiff, Wales; he proceeded to go to Nairobi, Kenya to further his career with the United Nations and Planned Parenthood. During this time, he traveled all over the world being an advocate for sexual health, safe living practices, family planning, and serving as a leading voice behind healthcare reform in many African and European countries. Although sometimes traveling for months at a time, he would always make frequent visits to homes of loved ones between travel, bringing gifts, laughs, stories, and love with each footstep.

After his career in Kenya, he came to America where he earned a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Illinois, Chicago. After, he continued his academic career at Chicago State University where he obtained a second Master’s in Adult Education (curriculum and instruction) where he graduated Cum Laude. Finally, in 1990 he graduated with honors from Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale where he met his then wife, Sharon Odulana and obtained his Doctorate Degree in Public Health Administration. After schooling, He settled on being a lecturer and sat as the Head of the Public Health Department at the University of Cincinnati. After building a strong healthy family life, he relocated and taught public health, racial justice & equity, and built a strong honest reputation at University Wisconsin, La Crosse, until he first retired in 2003. Shortly after, due to his love for teaching, he returned for nearly 20 more years and retired again in 2020. Even in retirement, he was extremely active as a NCAAP Member, Advocate for Wisconsin Council of Mental Health Council, traveling AARP volunteer & advocate, NAMI member and contributor, volunteer and supporter for the Democratic election party where he worked alongside Joe Biden closely, and a servant of his local Catholic Church, St. Joseph the Workman, where he often assisted in elderly care and meal delivery programs. He also founded Health International Network Systems (HINS) which is a health consultancy business where he provided solutions, consultation, support, studies, and holistic care options for governments and individuals with gaps in treatment or accessibility to resources.

He is survived by two of six still living siblings - his loving sister, Mrs. Thresa Adebisi Aribisala and brother Mr. George Taiwo Odulana. He is not only loved well by them but also by his nieces and nephews who remember his visits between traveling so fondly. He is also survived by two sons and a daughter – Oliver, Michael, Shakirah, Iryna (daughter-in-law), and ex-wife Sharon Odulana.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, July 21, 2023, at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, 530 Main St., La Crosse, WI 54601. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to mass at the church. Msgr. Richard Gilles will officiate.