Josiah Olunowo Ositelu

Josiah Olunowo Ositelu (1902–1966) was a Nigerian clergyman and church minister best known for popularizing early religion during the Colonial Nigeria. A native of Ogere, Ogun State, Ositelu experienced a religious conversion through vision. Accused of heresy in the Church of Nigeria, he was suspended and dismissed. Ositelu founded the Church of the Lord in 1925.

Ositelu was a Yoruba descent. Following his conversion, he left his parents belief and culture to live with the Anglican priests. Born to illiterate parents, he became the founding minister of the church and performed miracles. After being removed from the church, he founded his own Church, Church of the Lord in 1925, at Ogere. After traveling through many accusations for several years conducting the Church of God-sanctioned services, he engaged more members for the denomination including his mother, who became the female women's leader. Ositelu was married and fathered many children of which Gabriel, his son also became a clergyman.

After building the Oluwaseyi Mansion in 1954, Ositelu's fame was increased in both the Northern and Eastern protectorate of Nigeria. He was also known a raid and Africa including other countries like Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, United Kingdom and North America. Ositelu married seven wives from 1932 to 1949. His son Gabriel became the leader of a church and his daughter, Susannah, a prophet. Ositelu's church partner Adeleke Adejobi succeeded him as the leader of the Church of the Lord. Ositelu died on 12 July 1966.