TRIBUTE TO MY HUSBAND AND FRIEND JOSHUA ADEGBEMILE AJADI DADA
Shared by Surviving Children of Rev... on June 10, 2021
It is a difficult task for me to compose who you were to me as I think about you; but you were my friend, my confidant, my priest, my pride, my partner, and my joy. Coming to know you and to walk with you was a mystery because my parents never allowed any male to visit me nor to come toasting around our house in my early days to the extent that such young man may be beaten or insulted whenever they visited, but you were the only person who was never molested nor maltreated from my home and my siblings, and you stood every test faithfully. I never thought of marrying anyone close to my vicinity because of the way my parents handled me since I was from a Muslim family: but you transcend every male, I ever met in my life!

You were a true lover of God and a lover of truth. You made the Bible your standard in every way as you served the Lord. You were very active in your duty to God. Your faith in the Lord was so strong and unwavering and you were a lover of peace. You helped me to grow in love over my old nature of anger and God so blessed me by giving you to me. I can never forget your contributions to my life.

Even though we quarrelled many times, yet you never allowed people to know anything about our inner room issues and relationship. You were a man of great humour and fun. You never gave your life to thinking nor did you bother about quarrels. You made sure we never carried over quarrels for days unresolved. You easily apologized when we quarrelled and you always brought a joke from every issue - thus we never had any cause to invite friends or family members to settle any quarrel among us, since we easily agreed.

You had a big heart that accommodated so many into our home with your meagre salary, yet without complaint nor worries. You were a very hard-working and loving man who always loved to give and to assist any needy person around you. So many children (the good, the bad and the ugly) were brought to the house for me to nurture due to your act of love but you were a man who always kept your pain from others. Even when you were sick, you rarely showed it except it became very obvious.

I never forgot how you took care of me for several months when I was sick and indisposed on three occasions in recent times. You cooked and personally took care of me! Even when your children wanted to employ a nurse for me, you objected but chose to be my nurse until I regained strength and was able to walk again. No house chore was difficult for you to perform – even in your old age - just to make me happy. You would pound yam, go to the market, and you would make any type of food that I desired.

I would have died before you, but you did all possible to support me until I survived my trying moments. Although you were a disciplinarian and a true teacher, yet we always agreed together in training our children. You never allowed us to suffer, and you provided in whatever little way you could without owing debts. You were a rare man to imagine!

I cannot stop talking about your love, the joy, the laughter, the struggles, the pains, and the disappointments we shared all these 60 years that we have known each other. I miss you dearly, but I take solace in the joy of the Lord and in the fact that you are now with your maker until we meet again at the resurrection morning. Sleep on my darling husband and my love.



Juliana Olayoonu Dada

Your loving wife

A TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED FATHER – REV. (DR.) JOSHUA ADEGBENLE DADA

What is this life, but a vapour?
What is this life, but a mist?
What is this life, but a shadow?
It vanishes away…

How best can I possibly talk about my father that would represent what he really meant to me, to my siblings, to our mother, and his larger ‘family members’: the extended family, the Baptist family, his friends, his hometown, his immediate community, and everyone he had the opportunity to come in contact with, in one way or the other? This is certainly an impossible task, as he was several things to several people – much of which we are getting to understand more and more.

My father was a man of a very humble little beginning, raised and taught in the ways of the Lord. He grew and rose to become a lover of God, a teacher, and preacher of the word of God, which he ensured he passed on to ANYONE that ever came in contact with him, especially his children. He would selflessly assist people in various ways and times, even up to ‘pouring out’ himself for the comfort and joy of others. His selfless giving and benevolence towards people became our object of conflict in my early growing years. I remember how my father would readily entertain unscheduled visitors with food meant for us, as long as they were willing to eat. While on his farm site, he would solicit passers-by to stop by and “drink water” (which would eventually become “eat something”) even when they were not budgeted for. My father would be happy to go hungry, as long as others around him were satisfied.

Late Rev. (Dr.) Joshua Ade. Dada was a great disciplinarian who would always tell me that he inherited discipline and excellence from his father (my grandfather – who I was fortunate to know and relate with before he passed on to glory); and that since he did not ‘damage’ his father’s name (i.e., did not disappoint him through reckless living), he would not tolerate his children to misbehave in any way. As children, we ‘dreaded’ seeing the other side of him. This is because he would ensure a child has a doze of “Dr.-do-good” (necessary flogging) whenever the cup of disobedience was full. I sometimes thought that he hated me, as I had a larger dose of such corrective discipline since I knew him longer than any of my other younger ones. I had a weird impression of him as a “no-nonsense hard man”, and even felt that he did not have any feelings for us as children. But I was so wrong!

As I journeyed through life, I began to see that my father was a very dispassionate, loving, and caring man. He would stop at nothing to help his children in any God-fearing venture they desired to get engaged in, through counselling, prayers and by sharing his valuable experience from time to time. He taught us to be independent, resilient, focused, and hardworking. His common anthem was: “hard work does not kill; it is idleness that destroys a man”. My father would remind us that we need to work hard and be prepared to make good efforts in any venture, before requesting anyone for assistance. In other words, as far as Baba Dada was concerned, indolence had no place in his dictionary. That way, we all learnt to trust in the Lord and strive for success in all our endeavours. He was however open to help anyone within the limits of his resources as he believed that man is not created to fulfill only his needs but to lend a helping hand to others.

Late Rev. (Dr.) Joshua Ade. Dada’s social life revolved around working for the Lord. I grew up to know him as a ‘triangular person’, whose daily routine revolved around his workplace, the church, and his immediate family. He had no ‘night life’, ‘club life’ or other secular social affiliations. He would take on any responsibility at work, in his immediate community (when required), and in the church, as long as he had the capacity and time to execute them. I saw him as the epitome of hard work, as he made me believe that nothing else mattered than to work to achieve success. While admiring his zeal and dedication to work, I often wondered why he was not rich, despite his hard work, to which he would reply: “olooto eniyan kii leni, sugbon ko ni sun si ipo ika” (meaning, a faithful and diligent man may not be rich, but he certainly will not perish as a wicked man).

Baba Dada was a very practical Christian. He taught us the ways of the Lord, not only by words of mouth but also by his deeds. He lived an amazingly simple, jovial, and easy-going life. There was never a dull moment with him. He always taught me new things, especially in Yoruba proverbs, culture, and customs which he encouraged me to pass on to my children and their children unborn. He believed that whatever he was unable to achieve at any given time, was not approved by God; hence he would not strive beyond whatever God permitted him to do. Even during his working years when he was sometimes denied of his entitlements, he would encourage himself with the consolation phrase that, at the right time, everything would be alright.

My father would never keep malice with anyone without seeking reconciliation. One of the early Bible lessons he imparted on me as a growing young man is the fact that as a Christian, I am permitted to be angry when offended, but I should not let the sunset on my anger. For him, anything that hurt him must be settled before he went to bed. He forgave easily and would go to any length to seek peace, even when it affected his children. Baba was equitable in dealing with his children, as he was careful not to show any form of favouritism to anyone. He was equally humble and respectful to a fault. I did not for once hear my father address my mother by name. He taught us to replicate such reciprocal respect for our spouses because, using his popular Biblical verse in John 7:12, you must “do unto others as you would want others to do unto you”.

I am inclined to believe very strongly that the journey back home to his creator was partly revealed to him, but he was incredibly careful to conceal it from us. At the beginning of this year, in the month of January, I received a phone call from one of my siblings that baba specifically asked our mother to prepare a certain delicacy for himself and mama alone, as he wanted to celebrate God’s goodness ‘when he was still alive'. Baba was not known for such frivolities. When I called to inquire his motive, he said: “since you provide the means for us, let me enjoy whatever I can eat now that I am still alive…” Of course, we laughed over it, but I never knew that he got a hint of his home call.

At the Easter celebration in late March, this year, my father again repeated the same actions as in January and when I called to inquire what was going on, he said that he was only celebrating the goodness of God, “when he was still alive”. We prayed together and of course, I cautioned him against such an ‘expensive joke’.
Because we restricted him from engaging in any hard work, baba complained endlessly that he needed to keep himself busy by engaging in animal husbandry within the house. The more we discouraged him, the more he insisted on the venture. At some point, he warned us saying: “bi n ko ba se nnkan, nnkan you se mi” (meaning, if I do not do anything, something will happen to me). At that point, we obliged him to keep him happy and busy.
When Baba visited my younger brother in the seminary sometime in March, this year, and the subject of the pastor’s upcoming graduation in June was brought up, he reportedly said, “I will attend the graduation, if I am still around in June”!
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Baba Dada, I wish you had waited a little longer, at least to enable me to fulfill some of our little promises made during our heart-to-heart discussions. You had great hopes and aspirations – always praying for your children.
In your last moments, you fought death and wished you would be allowed to stay a little longer. You were so loving and considerate that you never made any frivolous demands from us, even when we pestered you to attend to your needs. You even wished you could assist us with the little you had, and you were never stingy with the little resources at your disposal. You showed us how best to live the love of Christ, and for this, we are eternally grateful.
Let me celebrate you in the following words: You came, you served, and now you sleep!
Adieu, my beloved father! Rest in the bosom of your Lord and Master until we meet on the resurrection morning.

Your son,
Dn. Stephen Olusola Dada

TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR FATHER: JOSHUA ADEGBEMILE AJADI ODEWUMI DADA

Each thought about you since you departed this world has kept reminding me of certain principles, standards, and teachings that you stood for all your life as you handed them down to your children through your exemplary life. It is still like a dream watching you depart for your eternal home slowly and quietly without any struggle as I stood by your bed in the last hours of your life, on that fateful day. I sincerely cherish your courage, your boldness, your strength and your faith: you were too much for me to forget in life!

I could not imagine writing this tribute this early because from your words you never made us feel that you are old. You usually said to us and yourself jokingly: ‘omo odun melo naa ni mi?” meaning “how old am I really?” You never believed you were advancing in age hence you believed you could still do everything just like at your youthful age. You would equally react to some of your peers who sometimes made a jest of you that you are older than your age by saying that you were so young and that your colleagues who loved to be addressed as old people were probably in a hurry to die early. You had once said that God promised you a very long life, hence you made your children believe that you may not go back home early until you are close to a hundred years or more; only for you to depart this early at an assumed ‘tender age’ according to your words.

Where should I start my tribute to you since you made me be who I am today through all the training and prayers you had offered for me while you were on this planet? You are indeed my hero, my mentor, my confidant, my friend, and my loving father!

I remember growing up and how I dared not to offend you because I used to dread your black rubber cane that usually showed up for punishment from under your Agbada in the evenings or at random to show your other side of love. I, therefore, dreaded your discipline and never wished to fall under your wrath at any point. You led me close to God and guided me on His path as you encouraged me to identify with Him and to hand my life over to Christ by being born again. You helped me through my personal decision for Christ even at a tender age. You always encouraged me to attend every retreat of FCS (Fellowship of Christian Students) in those days as well as other Christian programs that made me find my faith and my path in the Lord Jesus. Although you noticed my zeal and dedication to the Lord early, you never forced me to follow your path but rather guided me to walk with God and be faithful to the end.

You were a man of your words, you never believed in lies nor pretense which you handed down to all your children, you always spoke the truth even if it would cost you your life. You were a man of true love and sacrifice and you lived in this way to a fault as you usually helped anyone whether you knew them or not, even at the expense of your comfort and that of your family. You were a faithful and sincere man who was always contented with the little you had. You never believed you were suffering nor poor, even when you could not take care of your family in your desired way, but rather you believed that God will never fail to sort you out whichever way he chose. You were a very hard-working and time-conscious man and you taught me so to be. You always said that ‘hard work does not kill, but laziness does’. You were so hard working that your children believed that you should have been richer in your life than how you were (you were a workaholic), yet you taught me to remain content and faithful to the end even if no man appreciates it, you believed in being a steward of all that God had endowed you with; hence you lived with a consciousness of being accountable wherever you found yourself.

Baba Dada, you were not an accountant, but you were so detailed and accountable in financial matters as you handled many financial issues in your lifetime and this is a legacy for me. You were very transparent and very faithful to your call in the faith that you belonged, as I could not remember you missing any Nigerian Baptist Convention program all your life until your children began to query you and stopped you from going to the convention as you advanced in age - this you took as a yearly project as you usually kept saving for the upcoming convention every year, even if you did not have enough money to eat. You always saved to attend the annual convention, even if this required you to inconvenience yourself in any way on the convention ground.

My father, you were a giver both to God and to man that sometimes I wondered your sense of love as you lavished so much out of your little, this you taught your children to also do. Your grand-children are always proud of receiving gifts from you at any time they met with you and there was never a dull moment with you as you always shared stories of old with clear examples whenever you had the opportunity with anyone. Your sense of humour was so great. You were a strict disciplinarian, you were a teacher par excellence, very gentle and detailed in passing across your message to your students. You were also a very caring father.

I cannot exhaust all I want to say about you here due to space and time but I remembered how you reacted with joy at my decision to obey the call of God into full-time pastorate ministry, as you confessed to me that you had been praying earlier for God to grant you a son that would carry on with your work of the ministry. And to prove this, you and my mother chose to escort me to the seminary on my resumption date at Ogbomoso, helping me to carry my luggage like a baby - a task you never did for me when I gained admission into the secondary school and the circular university. You were so proud of seeing me carry on where you stopped only for you to leave me 38 days before I assumed full office but I know you have finished your task, you have run your race, you have completed your duty.

My father, your life cannot fully be expressed with words of mouth but I wake up daily with the joy of knowing that service to God is very profitable and rewarding even if you were never rich in the physical wealth of this world nor were you compensated with any remuneration, I promise to make God proud and to make you proud also as I carry on with God’s work all the days of my life. I believe you are resting in the bosom of your maker. Sleep on until the resurrection morning Dad!

Pastor Isaac Olutunde Dada

Your son

I MISS YOU 'DADDY MI'

I feel so grateful to God to have come to this world through you. I cherish the memories I had with you, my loving daddy, and I know you are smiling down on all of us. You were a lover of God who did not allow anything to come between you and the work of God, come rain come shine.

You were a disciplinarian who taught all of us, your children the ways of the Lord. You are an irreplaceable Gem. You did not joke with prayers. At every segment of life that any of us [your children] had found himself /herself, you always joined hands with mummy for God to see us through.

I find it too bitter to swallow that you have gone to meet your maker. Daddy mi, I reserve a million kisses and hugs for you when we meet at the master's feet to part no more. Missing you my loving daddy. Adieu.

Gloria Oluwatoyin Alaba
Your Daughter

TRIBUTE TO MY DAD

When I think back to our young days, I remember how much of a disciplinarian my Dad used to be, as he did not condone misbehaviour from his children. Dad's love for God was transferred to every member of his family by compulsorily waking us up early in the morning for devotion. Whoever failed to get to the sitting room at the first call will get there after receiving some strokes of the cane from Dad.

His love for songs and music cannot be overemphasized. He usually organized an evening of song every Sunday while we sang from the hymnal and also learn some new hymns, aside from singing from the hymnal at every devotion.
He treasured education so much that he always wanted everyone that crossed his path to be educated and get themselves occupied always. His hardworking and industrious attitude was remarkable by all.

Dad, though you are not a perfect human being, you left us a legacy that can never be forgotten in a moment. Rest in peace.

Temitope Dada
Your Daughter

A TRIBUTE TO MY LATE FATHER–IN–LAW

My father-in-law, Rev. Joshua Adegbenle Dada: you were a king, that is what you were! In your lifetime, you made many impossible things to be possible, and you touched so many lives positively.

I call you a king because you had the qualities of a king. I could not have asked for a better father-in-law. Baba would never keep a frowning face; he always had a way of making you laugh. I miss your jokes and laughter.

As a father-in-law and a father figure, your absence left a deep wound in my heart! I left home with the hope of seeing you and enjoying your presence again; we had our talks and you looked forward to seeing us in a few months, as we agreed in our chats, but it is obvious that God needed you more urgently.

We miss you, but your loving and peaceful memories will remain fresh in us and guide us in our daily living. You will forever be in our hearts, we love you Baba, but God loves you most. l believe that one day, we will rejoice together again when we meet at the feet of Jesus: when God calls us home. Until then, may you enjoy your stay in the ultimate presence of God, and may your soul rest in perfect peace.

Once more I love you, BABA DAA-DAA.

Christiana Dada
Your Daughter-in-Law

TRIBUTE TO BABA JOSHUA ADEGBEMILE DADA

From where should I start to talk about my father-in-law? You are indeed more than who I can describe. However, when my husband brought me home to know you during our courtship, you told me all I needed to know; you were so truthful to a fault, you said things the way you perceived them not minding the consequence.

Grandpa, you were a giver per excellence, you always gave to the children anytime they came around you and whenever you came visiting even when you did not have much money, you would not mind giving your grandchildren everything that we, your children gave you at any of our visits, and you even gave more at some other occasions. You always called your grandchildren the specific names that you gave to them when they were born which is most times different from the general names they are called. You were always unique in your dealings with each person, and you were so humble and respectful. You were always ready to help anyone who came your way not minding denying yourself.

I never once saw you down-cast nor depressed since I knew you. There was never a dull moment with you and you don’t ever complain nor murmur about whatever condition you may be going through but rather you always have a word of encouragement for every situation at every time.

Baba, you were a Baptist to the core, you served your God faithfully to the end and you always led the morning devotion consistently by 5.00 am every day using the daily Bible reading guide “Biba Olorun rin lojoojumo”. The last time you came to visit us at the seminary, you told me that ‘you may not be there for our graduation in June’ but I could not understand; although you said that everything will be alright. You encouraged me to endure whatever situation because we had almost finished; not knowing that you were going to leave us so soon.

You were very hardworking and enterprising. You always loved to be engaged doing something every time. Whenever we complained, you always said that “Ti mi ko ba se nka, nkan yio se mi” (meaning “if I don’t do something I will fall sick”. You engaged in a lot of work in your lifetime, not because of the monetary gain, but because you just wanted to occupy yourself with something. I can keep saying many things about you but time and space will not permit me, but I rather take solace in the Lord that you are at Abraham’s bosom resting in peace with your maker.

May God uphold grandma and prosper us, your children and everyone you left behind.

Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Olarinre Dada
Your Daughter-In-Law

TRIBUTE TO A WORTHY FATHER-IN-LAW

You lived your life to be an example to everyone that ever crossed your path. I bless God that you came to this world to impact your generation in your little way. Your death was not an eternal loss, as we believe that you are enjoying in the bosom of your creator. Your services in His vineyard and to humanity touched a lot of souls. I thank God for having my helpmeet through you.

Good night Rev. (Dr.) J. Ade. Dada.
Adieu, grandpa.
      
Alaba Moses
Son- in-Law

A Tribute to My Grandfather – Late Rev. (Dr.) Joshua Adegbenle Dada

My grandfather lived a life that was full of various events: the good, the bad, and the ugly. He was however full of hope, joy, and happiness, despite his many struggles. I remember how he would tell me amusing stories about my father’s life, childhood and schooldays. I always thought that grandpa has had an extraordinary but hard childhood.

Looking back, now, I realize that it was not the events in his life that were extraordinary, but the way he faced them. He faced life with courage, intelligence, and wit, and lived through and survived tough times; the few moments we shared, he taught my brother and me how to do the same.

He promised me that we would meet again when I came back home later this year, but I guess God had other plans.

Grandpa, I will always miss you. But I have wonderful memories of you even though it was not enough. I will always think of you with a smile.


Ayobami Dada
Your Grandson

TRIBUTE TO MY EVER-LOVING GRANDPA

When I think of the words such as Hardworking, Strong, God-fearing, Meekness, Friendliness, Generosity, Humility, and the word Teacher, I find the direct interpretation of these words in my grandpa, and I needed not keep looking for the meaning in the dictionary any longer. Again, as I grew up to understand the words such as to be funny, to be caring, to be kind and many more words that played out in my grandfather, the first name that easily comes to mind is Rev. Joshua Ade Dada. You were a true example of these adjectives and adverbs.

It is so painful hearing about your home call indicating that I will not see you here on earth again, but I thank God for the life you had lived and the examples you showed to us while you were here on earth. Since we cannot question God because He gives and takes as he pleases, we accept the will of God to call you home at this time.

I have indeed been impacted by you in numerous ways and I am happy I knew you very well before your death. I remember when we used to visit you at Oyo or whenever you came around visiting us at Lagos that you always asked for our notes and our schoolbooks to know and to see what we have been taught in school. I remember your usual slang whenever you asked us any question and we answered correctly, you always said “that’s alright” in such a funny way that I could not help but laugh at your response. You were such fun to be with.

Grandpa, I cannot forget how you taught us the words of God and the way you usually gave me and my siblings money anytime we met with you; you were always kind and loving. I thank God that you bestowed your attributes on my father as I behold your resemblance in him in so many areas of his life. You were so hardworking and consistent, you were a great and a good man and you lived a good life, and I would like to live to show some of your great attributes in life. Anyway, I believe that someday I will see you again, on the resurrection morning. Keep resting in the bosom of the Lord and may your soul rest in perfect peace.

Oluwatomi Dada,
Your grandson. 

TRIBUTES TO MY GRAND FATHER – LATE REV. JOSHUA ADE DADA

It was so sad to hear that you have gone to be with the Lord and that I will never see you again, but it was an honour knowing such a good and caring grand-father like you - a man who was so good to my father as well as to me and my siblings. You were a man of many parts!

You were a disciplinarian, a teacher, a generous man, a caring father and a true man of God. You served your God faithfully and you always prayed for us every time we saw you. You loved reading many books and newspapers every day. I grew up to know you as someone who loved reading: I always saw you reading and I used to wonder how much you loved education.

You always spoke ‘big English’ and so many words that I did not know. You were so respectable and intelligent. You always loved to show us examples of whatever you wanted us to do. You were indeed a man of honour.

Grandpa, I will miss the many stories that you used to tell me whenever I visited you at Oyo. You always liked to teach us English grammar, but you loved to hear me speak the Yoruba language to you anytime you saw me or heard my voice on phone. You always liked to give us assignments, which you would personally correct. You always called me ‘Ayomikun’ (meaning ‘my joy is full’), which I learnt was the name you gave me when I was born. I don’t know who will call me Ayomikun again. I pray to be able to live a good life as you did. Sleep on in the bosom of your Lord until we meet to part no more.

Oluwatamilore Dada
Your grandson

Tribute to Grandpa

It was a sad time having to face a loss like this. Rev. Joshua Dada was a great man, a great father, a great grandfather, and a great man of God.

It is so sad to know that he has left us, it is sad to know that he will no longer be here with us, but we know that he is currently in a better place. We believe that God does things for a reason and that God gives and takes as He best desires. We, therefore, submit to His will, even in taking Baba away from us.

I sincerely pray that the soul of my grandfather may rest in perfect peace, as we believe that he is in a better place above.

Your Grandson,

Ayodeji Dada

TRIBUTE TO MY GRANDPA - REV JOSHUA ADE DADA.

Grandpa meant so many things to me that I can never forget. Grandpa, you were a very caring, honest, and hard-working man. You named me Oluwabori and that is the name you always called me, and nobody else calls me this name. I discovered that this name is not common even when I compare it with the names you gave your other grandchildren, maybe because of the circumstance surrounding my birth.

Grandpa, you were a disciplinarian to the core. You were also a practical teacher, as you corrected our mistakes whenever we erred. You liked reading all the time and you loved to teach us the Yoruba language anytime you met with us. You also taught us Yoruba songs each time you came visiting or whenever we visited you. One of the songs we used to sing in the evening is "Ife re da wa si Loni, lare a si dubule" e.t.c

You always bought clothes for us even though sometimes oversized because you did not know our sizes at the time you bought them. Even though the clothes were oversized, we must wear them for you to see. You always gave us money every time you came to visit or whenever we visited you at Oyo.
Grandpa, you always appreciated us when we did something that you were happy with, and you would say “good, good boy”. These were some of your words. You always kept to time especially making sure we were all awake at 5:00 am for the morning devotion which you made compulsory in the house. You were a very lively man, and it was always fun to be around you.
I can keep saying so many things about you from now till tomorrow, but I know you are with the Lord.

Sleep on till we meet to part no more Grandpa.

Your grandson
Emmanuel Oluwabori Dada

My Loving Grandpa

I love my grandpa very well. I love the way he used to sing "Yoruba songs" for me and my sister.

I miss you, grandpa. I miss the way you normally give me and my sister money. I miss the way you prayed for us always on the phone.
My sister and I will continue to play with grandma. I love you so much grandpa and I miss you.

Continue to rest in the bosom of your maker. Good night grandpa.

Favour and Miracle Alaba.
Your Granddaughters

TRIBUTE TO BOND OF THE FAMILY - BABA REVD DR JOSHUA ADEGBENLE DADA (A.K.A. BABA DAADA)

Hummmmmmm “Baba daada” (A good father) as fondly called by many people!

Julius Caesar, an actor in a book called Shakespeare said, “Death Is The Necessary End Of Every Man, It Would Come When It Would Come”. Your death came as a rude shock to me, beloved father not because you were not old enough, but it was extremely difficult to let you go. Daddy, you were a peacemaker, a bridge-builder and a God-fearing servant of God of high repute.

Words are not enough to appropriately place or describe how much impact you had not just on your children but also so many lives. And if I describe your life with all the sweet words we can find, "Baba daada", you sure deserve that and much more.

Coming to the world and learning so much from you is indeed a privilege, there have been countless times I have been blown away by imagining how one man can be so blessed not with worldly riches, mundane things nor with corruptible acquisitions men of this world pride themselves with but with so much Love, Discipline, Humility, Simplicity, Integrity, Uprightness, Dedication, Passion, and the list goes on.

You were an excellent father, a voice for so many, you championed causes, a diligent planner, an incurable optimist, excellent administrator, discipline in all aspects, you appreciated the smallest of things, always grateful, you loved life, fair judge, fearless, you always had the right words and knew when to say them, you pursued peace always, a just man.

I never forget your admonition to always show up in the family meeting.
Sleep well till we meet to part no more since Christ has abolished death!


Revd. Adesoji T. Owolabi
Good News Baptist Church, Sagamu, Ogun State.

TRIBUTE TO REVD. DR. JOSHUA ADEGBENLE DADA

Behold!! Another giant has fallen

Behold, a very strong pillar has collapsed

How are the mighty falling in Agurodo?

How are the giants bowing to the cold hands of death?



The versatile, vibrant, and academic hero has fallen

The spiritual and academic maestro of the Baptist denomination in Agurodo and indeed Nigeria

Has thrown in the towel and bowed out of this sinful world.

How are the mighty falling?



To us his kinship, Revd. Dr. Adegbenle Dada is not worthy of death

Indeed, he is not ripe enough to die

But to God, his time was up

He has finished his course

For no man hath the audacity to retain the spirit

Alas, no man hath power on the day of death

Every mortal being shall die

On the day and time divinely destined for him/her



Revd. Dr. Joshua Adegbenle Dada

A progenitor of progressive ideas

An epitome of humility, hard work and decency

A man who had zero tolerance for indolence, laziness, and frivolity

An illustrious, patriotic, and humane citizen of Agurodo

A child of God indeed in whom there is no deceit is

Gone forever never to return to this sinful world.

How are the mighty falling?



The snail now, therefore, has become burnt in its shell

Your mouth has become cotton-filled

Your tongue has become permanently glued

Your fingers have all gone into the glove



The hunter died and left his poverty to his gun

The farmer died and left his poverty to his hoe

The bird died and left its poverty to its nests

The goat died and left its skin to sufferings

Revd. Dr. Joshua Adegbenle Dada

You died and left your all, abandoned in the dark

We celebrate today and always your life well-spent



As tide and market come and go

So do you and one day each of us shall also do

Now the last cock has crowed

The last clay pot has been licked

Adieu our beloved brother, father, grandpa

As we part here to meet no more on earth

Till we meet again in heaven



Deacon Noah Olawuwo Oderinu

TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. JOSHUA ADE. DADA

Death where is your sting?
Grave where is your victory?

Rev (Dr.) Joshua Ade. Dada was a man of full wisdom and a cheerful giver full of old stories that inspired the young one and old. He was a friend to both old and young.

We cannot forget you in the history of Egbe Baptist Church from 1978 to 1988: for your commitment towards the work of God, and for your great love showed to Baptist Church Egbe.

Sleep on in the bosom of Jesus Christ, till we meet in heaven to part no more.

Stephen O. Olupitan family
First Baptist Church, Egbe

TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. J. ADE DADA

Rev. Dr. Joshua Ade Dada, you were my father in the Lord and my best friend, but you left us suddenly. My children and I will never forget what you did in our lives which includes finding the solution to various problems between my sons’ wives and many other things that I cannot mention here. Your memory will remain evergreen in our hearts.

The entire members of Oweyo Baptist Church will never forget what you did for them individually. You developed the church greatly and beyond our expectations. You were a great source of help to the church till your death. If we choose to write volumes upon volumes about you, it cannot fully express our feelings and our mind about you. However, we love you, but God loves you most.

Deacon Aweda J. A
Oweyo Baptist Church

TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND OF FAITH LATE REV’D (DR) J. ADE DADA

It is with a heart full of sadness that the First Baptist Church Egbe, Kogi State mourns the call to the glory of our beloved father and founding pastor, late Revd. (Dr.) J. Ade. Dada; but we take solace in the fact that throughout his life, he lived for the Lord.

In the early course of his ministerial journey, Revd. (Dr) Dada was the first Pastor of this church from the year 1978 to 1991. He pastored the newly born church without any form of income from the church ministry whatsoever. Baba Dada, as he was popularly called by many, throughout this period, single-handedly gathered available resources to build from scratch and passionately nurtured the First Baptist Church Egbe to adulthood against all odds.

Revd. (Dr). Dada’s Pastoral Ministry was nothing but self-sacrifice: first to God and also to humanity!

His memory will remain evergreen especially in our hearts, especially those of us that witnessed this memorable period in the history of our Church.

First Baptist Church Egbe, Kogi State will, for generations unborn, fondly remember you and uphold the physical and spiritual edifice you erected in Egbe – Till Resurrection Day

Signed:
Revd. A. I. Ogunwale Mr. M. O. Ajayi
Church Pastor Church Secretary

                 TRIBUTE TO REVEREND (DR.) J. ADE DADA

To God be the glory. Our Leader, Teacher, Husband, Father, Reverend, Mentor, Coach, Counsellor, Friend, Partner etc. Reverend J. Ade Dada through his deeds and works in life took his name, family, every community where he lived with love, passion and commitment to his heart and mind by living with honesty, fairness and good faith to and with all.

He was a born leader because, from the account of reliable and credible witnesses of his early life, he influenced the young and old positively until the finger of God touched him and he slept. For those of us who are his children or juniors as the case may be in the Olode’s compound of Agurodo, God used him to transform our lives through his godly standards, obedience to God and authorities and righteous living. The gap he left behind is too wide and deep for us as his juniors and children. But with God all things are possible and God will raise people like him for us by His grace. One clear consolation we have now is that your death became the joyful exit for you from this world which beautiful as it was created by God has been turned by man into a place of captivity, violence and injustice of all kinds. But for you, you are now in the land of eternal pleasure, peace and joy with God. 

In the 1960s, he formed the Olode’s compound Dramatic and Debating Society which he encouraged any son of Olode’s House in Primary 4 and above to join. We all joined. However, we never debated anywhere nor acted in any play. It was his choice of name that indeed attracted and motivated us to join the group. He used this forum to teach us about Christ, Godliness, hard work, patience, obedience to our parents, elders and authorities in the Lord. This was part of the life-changing and building blocks he gave us early in life. We are grateful to God and you. You left behind for all a huge treasure of Christian legacy and virtues to follow. 

Your target or aim in life was not to attract temporary worldly fame to yourself. Your focus was to truly serve God, your community and take care of your family and others at all times in humility in exchange for eternal reward from God. This you achieved to the end by the grace of God. You were contented with the blessings of God for you. Within and probably beyond your means occasionally, you freely gave your time, skills, resources, to those who came in contact with you and are in need.

Among your numerous acts of love, I must not fail to thank God again for the One Shilling you dropped on the road for me at Ogbomoso in 1967 when you were going to your station at Iresadu in a moving vehicle. I was in secondary school at that time. That was a lot of money then. May God continue to bless your wife and generations and meet their respective need. You richly and consistently invested your time and energy for the welfare and unity of the Church, Agurodo and Olode’s House. We shall continue to build on this foundation that you and others have laid in good purpose.

You had your fair share of life challenges. But through your absolute trust in God, faith and prayers, God made you a conqueror to His glory. We greatly cherish you. May God by His grace give your children, others in Olode’s House and Agurodo a double portion of the gifts He gave you as He did between Elijah and Elisha in Jesus' Name.

May all of us alive today have more grace to persevere and endure to the end in faith and obedience to God in the Narrow Way that leads to heaven with God, His angels and other Saints so that we may individually and all spend eternity with God in Jesus Name. Amen.

ISAIAH ODELEYE