Encomium
The 8th day fidau of Mr. Tajudeen Ajibola Babatunde Disu (October 18, 1951 – October 12, 2015) on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island (Lagos) attracted family, friends, associates and well-wishers.
For the departed boss of Lagos Free Trade Zone, a cascade of eulogies flowed his way.
And from his wife, children and in-laws, and the Lagos State governor (Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode), moving tributes echoed…
I always envisioned myself being with you when you laid your head to take your final sleep. I would lay in the bed with you and rub your belly and tell you that I love you and I cherish you for everything you have done for me. Your grandkids would have gotten to sit on your laps everyday and kissed you, sadly those dreams were taken from me with a blink of the eye… it is well.
I remember having an asthma attack for the first time and you lying next to me on the bed rubbing my chest and telling me everything will be okay. The first time I ever travelled by myself you told me to enjoy the skies and that I definitely did because now I love staring at the clouds.
You encouraged me as well as my siblings to be the best we could ever be, through academics and athletics. I remember the day I told you about my track events and you said you wouldn’t be able to make it. I never told you but I did see you watching me with my discus event and leave without a word. I remember the Hawaiian daughter/father dance you took Jemila and I for in middle school I was so excited. That was the first time I had ever gone for such a thing and to be going with my daddy, it was great.
“Keep it up, be safe” were messages I got from you every week. You were a father to many, you catered to everyone’s needs before yourself. You were a visionary, seeing things before they happened.
Your greatness really shines through, you are truly loved, everyone has rallied together to support us, and for that, I am eternally grateful to God for making you who you are. A sweet man, peaceful man, an understanding man. Why oh why did they have to take you away from me.
Last year I prayed and prayed for many happy returns because I truly didn’t know what my life would be life without you but you equipped me with all the armour I need. You told me if there’s a lesson in life I should remember it is not to be afraid to fail but to be ready to pick myself up and attack my failure. For that, I thank you!
Who will wear your hats, who will call me and after I greet you say, Disu here.
How many times did we sit around you and listen to you from all your reading and travelling, your dreams and hopes, your entertaining stories. Oh, what a shame. If only the world knows the person they have lost.
Oh, my sweet daddy, who will never physically walk me down the aisle? No worries, I won’t bring any cowboys to the house.
I’m sure all my new daddies and the Almighty will rest assure that I will not bring the wrong person home.
It is painful to know that you won’t be able to finish the project you worked so hard for.
I know that you really dreamt about what this Free Zone would do for Lagos and Nigeria as a whole, ‘your baby’. You were not happy with the state of the country, yet you were still hopeful. I understand why you really wanted me to be back in Nigeria.
Your legacy will really live on in all the people that called you uncle, daddy, brother mi, ore mi. All I ask of everyone is to tell their children a story, a story of a great man who didn’t know you from anywhere and yet made you who you are today because I will be singing his tale for the rest of my life. He really had made me the independent, strong willed woman I am today and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
I pray that God takes you under his wings and that you are up there watching over us. In Island I understand that you died a martyr and all your sins have been forgiven and the gates of paradise opened for you. Thank God. I know one day we will be reunited and I will be able to continue to disturb you till the end of time.
I am so proud to be the daughter of Bola Disu, you really made a name for yourself and your family. Best believe anywhere I go, if asked if I am your daughter I will smile with all 32 of my teeth and say, “Yes, the proud daughter of Tajudeen Ajibola Disu.” The first love of my life, the original G. the lord of the manor, the master of the ship, my hero, my sweet Daddyo.
So many memories so little space to write but I will replay them in my head for the rest of my life. God bless you, Baba Mi.
Rest in Peace
Over and Out
Love Always
