By Tony Fagbemi.
I came in contact with Dr. James Atolagbe Dada in 1975 at Tiicombe College, Egbe. When I arrived at the college, he was an already established teacher with many years of teaching experience.
At first, my relationship with him was that of mentor-mentee, myself being a rookie first year teacher. I spent most of my afternoon with him in his newly acquired Toyota Corolla Station Wagon. The relationship soon morphed and developed into a family affair. He will soon play all the roles, i.e., as a mentor, a brother, a farther figure, and a friend. One event is worth mentioning here that really encapsulates the genuine character of Dr. Dada.
In my early years, I was awarded an overseas scholarship to study abroad with in-service with pay of (2 years) salary. As soon as I left home, an officer in the establishment decided to disrupt the payment of my salary and caused my salary to be returned to treasury; instead of paying to my account for the upkeep of my young family—my wife and two young children.
On hearing what had happened to my salary, Dr Dada immediately went straight to the
Board of education to fix the problem. My daughter remembered him coming to her functions in school that required her father’s presence. It is for these reasons, among others, that I think of him very highly as a very kind, reliable, dependable, and trustworthy person.
Dr James Atolagbe Dada who, among other honours, was a member of the British Association for International Education (BAICE) and untill his last day, a visiting Lecturer at Oxford University, Department of Educational Studies and Mid Kent College of Higher Education, died in Kent, United Kingdom on 26th December, 2024, aged 90 years.
His death has brought irreparable loss to me and my family. He will forever be missed. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.
– Dr. Tony Fagbemi wrote from the USA
