Two Decades Without You, Daddy; A Life of Impact, A Legacy Unforgotten By Adeboye Adebayo

On the 10th of July, 2005, our world changed forever. The exit of Comrade Elijah Adegboyega Adebayo, our beloved father, left a mark that has shaped us deeply; personally, emotionally, and spiritually.

It’s been 20 years, yet not a day goes by without remembering the great man that he was, and the enormous shoes he left behind.

Comrade Adebayo was not just a father to his biological children, but a father to many.

A loving, caring, and responsible husband, a disciplined father, and a God-fearing man whose influence reached beyond the walls of his home. He trained us not only in the way of life but also in the way of the Lord, values that have sustained us even in his absence.

As a professional teacher, he dedicated his entire working life to the civil service of Osun State, starting humbly as a class teacher and rising through the ranks to become a respected Headmaster. But that was just one side of his story.

He was also a committed unionist, serving as Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and an active member of the Conference of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria.

His voice echoed in the NLC, where he was a notable and influential member both at the state and national levels.

He was a champion of workers’ rights, a man who never sat idle while others suffered. He stood for fairness, equity, and dignity of labour.

His efforts brought better days for many workers in Osun State, and his advocacy lives on in the lives of those he inspired.

His legacy in education is evident in the countless students he taught, mentored, and nurtured, many of whom are today successful professionals making waves across the globe.

He was a master of discipline, a motivator, and a true example of what it means to lead a life of purpose.

For us, his children, he was everything. His departure came too early. Personally, I still feel the void, the absence of his discipline voice, his fatherly advice, and his reassuring presence.

There were times July felt like a cursed month, a painful annual reminder of what we lost. But God, in His mercy, gave me a child in July, turning my pain into a symbol of hope and divine restoration.

Daddy, we miss you deeply. We mourn not just your absence, but also the unshared memories, the untold stories, the many dreams we couldn’t fulfill together.

We wish we had you longer. We wish we had enjoyed your fatherhood more. But in all, we give thank to God for the gift of your life, for all you represented, and for how well we; your children and grandchildren have continued to thrive under God’s mercy.

As we mark this 20th-year remembrance, we do so not in sorrow but in thanksgiving, for your impactful life, your eternal rest, and the goodness of God over everything you left behind.

Your legacy lives in us, and we will continue to uphold your values of discipline, truth, love, faith, and service.

May your soul continue to rest in peace, Daddy.

May God continue to watch over all of us.

Your memory is a blessing. Your legacy, eternal.

Adieu, Comrade Elijah Adegboyega Adebayo.

Signed:
_Comrade Adeboye Adebayo writes for and on behalf of the family_