Bibire Goes Emotional As He Pays Tribute To Late Best Friend, Tunji Adedire

Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire couldn’t hold back his emotions yesterday, Thursday, March 13, 2025, as he paid a deep-felt tribute to his late best friend, Mr Tunji Adedire, during the Service of Songs held in Glasgow, Scotland.

Bibire, who was visibly drowned in grief, spoke about their unbreakable bond, recalling how their friendship, which began in primary school (Primary 3), stood the test of time and grew even stronger over the years.

He described the late Tunji Adedire as a man of integrity, courage, discipline, and selflessness, who, until his passing, demonstrated an unexampled commitment to fine ideals, noble causes and nation-building.

A file photo of Tunji Adedire standing beside Honourable Bibire at a function.

Bibire reminisced about Tunji’s total support and unflagging loyalty, noting emphatically that he was not just a friend but a brother who stood by him in all circumstances, and that without his support, he might not be where he is today.

He also stressed Tunji’s passion for golf, a sport that he said his late best friend deeply loved and often used to develop his intellectual abilities and unwind from life’s pressures.

A file photo of Tunji Adedire playing golf

Expressing his deep sorrow, Bibire admitted that a part of him had gone with Tunji’s passing and that his absence had caused a profound void that might never be filled.

He concluded with prayers for Tunji’s family, asking God to grant them strength and solace during this challenging period brought about by his passing.

A file photo of Tunji Adedire standing beside Hon. Bibire during a novelty match held in celebration of Hon. Bibire’s 50th birthday.

Read the full tribute below:

Tribute to My Best Friend, Tunji Adedire — By Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire

If anyone ever asked me to define a best friend, I would simply say, Tunji Adedire was my best friend. That was why, with a heavy heart, I sorrowfully declared on the day he passed that a part of me has gone with his passing. I must confess that the weight of this loss is immeasurable, and the void he has left behind is one that can never truly be filled.

A file photo of Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire and Tunji Adedire enjoying a good time together.

Our journey of friendship began in Primary 3 at IMG Apata, where fate brought us together. We remained inseparable through Primary 4, 5, and 6. When it was time for secondary school, we both gained admission into Government College Ibadan, Apata. We shared the same class from Form 1A to Form 3A until Form 4, when we were separated due to our different academic paths—he chose Arts while I pursued Science. Despite this, our friendship remained unbroken.

We graduated from Government College in 1989, after which he proceeded to Ojere to study Mass Communication, while I went straight into learning auto mechanics before traveling overseas. Regardless of the distance, our friendship remained intact, unbending, and unshaken from childhood till adulthood.

A file photo of Hon. Bibire and Tunji Adedire at a Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association reunion.

On a lighter note, I still vividly remember that Tunji’s mother sold snacks. Whenever we attended lessons in Owode, he would sneak some chin chin for me, and we would eat it together before heading for class. We were more than just friends—we were inseparable diehards who did everything together. In fact, time and distance never changed anything between us. Even if we didn’t see each other for five years, when we finally reunited, it was as if we had never been apart.

Tunji was truly a brother in deed. Our friendship was never about wealth or status. When I had nothing, we were friends. When I had something, we were still friends. The same applied to him—we shared everything, no matter how little or much we had.

A file photo of Tunji Adedire in conversation with Hon. Bibire.

One of the qualities I deeply admired in Tunji was his total loyalty. That was his nature—loyal, and extremely honest. He was the kind of friend who would defend me in public but chastise me in private when necessary. He was also a fierce fighter who stood firmly for what was right, never compromising his values.

Beyond our personal friendship, Tunji dedicated most of his adult life to being a voice for the voiceless, a relentless advocate for the downtrodden, and a passionate patriot committed to Nigeria’s progress. He possessed a rare intellect and a keen instinct for nation-building which made him not only a trusted ally but also a dependable friend who always challenged those around him to become better versions of themselves.

A file photo of Tunji Adedire, Hon. Bibire, and others during a humanitarian exercise.

I cannot forget his unnumbered acts of kindness. And the one that exemplified his selflessness was his intervention in the case of Iya Ibadan, a woman with a mental illness who was involved in a motor accident and left abandoned by the roadside. Tunji ensured she received the utmost care needed, and eventually, she regained consciousness and was finally reunited with her family.

And, Tunji, beyond his activism and advocacy, had a deep love for golf. It was more than just a game to him—it was his escape, his way of unwinding from the pressures of life. He found joy and peace on the golf course, often saying that the sport taught him patience, focus, and strategic thinking. I can still picture him with his golf club in hand, ready to take on any challenge the game or life threw at him. He never missed an opportunity to play, and those who knew him well would testify to how passionate he was about the sport.

A file photo of Tunji Adedire taking a swing in a game of golf

Tunji’s passing is painful, but we take solace in his exemplary life. I can personally testify to his hard work, brilliance, and unyielding commitment to his cherished principles. Without a doubt, Nigeria—especially Oyo State—has lost a gallant general in the battle for the emancipation of her people.

He left us at a time when I, and so many others, needed him the most. But I pray that the greatness he envisioned for Nigeria will be realized sooner rather than later.

May God continue to uphold his family, especially in this dark time that his death has brought upon them. And, may He grant them strength, comfort, and the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss and carry on his unassailable legacy.

A file photo of Hon. Bibire and Tunji Adedire sharing a smile.

Rest on, worthy comrade and friend, till we meet to part no more on the resurrection morning. Rest assured, your place within anything associated with Bibire is already secured.