Sofolahan Josiah Sawyerr Esq. (1877 – 8 August 1919) also known as S.J. Sawyerr is of Saro origin and was a Nigerian nationalist, legislator, and

philanthropist Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives for the public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private good, focusing on material ...

. He is known for his involvement in various committees and organizations, contributing significantly to society and the development of

Lagos Lagos ( ; ), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and on ...

in the late decades of the 19th century.

Career and contributions

Sawyerr was a member of the Roman Catholic Community in Lagos. He lived in the Cocoanut House of Ereko area, then known as the Town of Lagos or

Lagos Colony Lagos Colony was a British Empire, British colonial possession centred on the port of Lagos in what is now southern Nigeria. Lagos was Lagos Treaty of Cession, annexed on 6 August 1861 under the threat of force by Commander Beddingfield of HMS ...

, now

Lagos Island Lagos Island () is the principal and central Local government areas of Nigeria, Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos, Nigeria. It was the capital of Lagos State until 1957. It is part of the Lagos Division. As of the preliminary 2006 Nigerian ce ...

. Sawyerr attended masses at the Church of the Holy Cross, now known as the

Holy Cross Cathedral Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects (a ...

, Lagos. As a member, he was part of a deputation that gave an address of congratulations to the Rev. Father Ferdinand Terrien on his appointment as Bishop-Elect of James Gordo and Vicar Apostolic of the coast of

Benin Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It was formerly known as Dahomey. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The majority of its po ...

, on the 21st of April, 1912. S.J. Sawyerr was also a member of the ''L.A.A.S.A.P.S.'' and the ''Reform Club'' between 1914 and 1917. Sawyerr held several important positions. He was the Vice President of The Lagos Auxiliary (Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection) in December 1915 and the Honourable Treasurer for the Blyden Memorial Fund in 1915. He was also an unofficial member of the Lagos Town Council, appointed in 1917 under the leadership of A.G. Boyle, and served as an unofficial advisory member of the same council, formerly known as the Lagos Municipal Board of Health. His philanthropic activities included being a donor to the Nigerian Aeroplane Fund in October 1916, a contributor to the Overseas Contingent ''(Oxford Fund – Nigeria Regiment W.A.F.F.)'' in April 1917, and a donor to the St. Mark's Church Building Fund in

. He was also an unofficial member of the Legislative Council at Government House (October 18, 1910), during the absence on leave of Obadiah Johnson.

Personal life

Sawyerr was known to be in the circle of friendship with notable figures such as Sir Kitoyi Ajasa, Orisadipe Obasa,

James Churchill Vaughan James Churchill Omosanya Vaughan Jr., M.D. (30 May 1893 – 1937) was a Nigerian doctor and a prominent political activist. Birth and education Vaughan was born in Lagos on 30 May 1893, the son of James Wilson Vaughan, who descended from the 19t ...

Oguntola Sapara Chief Oguntola Odunbaku Sapara M.D. (9 June 1861 – June 1935) was a Yoruba doctor, originally from Sierra Leone, who spent most of his career and life in Nigeria. He was best known for his campaign against smallpox. Early life and education ...

Samuel Herbert Pearse Samuel Herbert Pearse, F.R.C.I. (born November 20, 1865) was a pioneer Nigerian shipper and produce exporter of Sierra Leone Creole and Egba heritage. He established the first Hotel in Lagos in 1907. He was also a member and secretary of the Lagos ...

, and Eric Olaolu Moore. He was also known for his luxurious lifestyle, including having his clothes dry-cleaned/laundered on British ships plying the

West Africa West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations geoscheme for Africa#Western Africa, United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Gha ...

n coast.

Death and legacy

Sawyerr died on August 8, 1919, at his Ereko residence.

References

1877 births 1919 deaths Members of the Legislative Council of Nigeria People from colonial Nigeria People from Lagos Colony 20th-century Nigerian politicians Sierra Leonean people of Yoruba descent Sierra Leonean emigrants to Nigeria People from Freetown Saro people Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate people {{DEFAULTSORT:Josiah Sawyerr, Sofolahan