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Family members, colleagues, union leaders and sympathizers on Monday gathered in Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State, for the eighth day Fidau prayer held in honor of the late union president, Comrade Alhaji Basheer Ayobamiji Obabiyi.
The prayer session, organized by the family of the deceased in collaboration with Islamic clergy, attracted a large turnout of relatives, friends and associates who gathered to ask Allah’s forgiveness for the late trade unionist and pray for the continued well-being of his family.
The meeting featured recitations of the Quran and duas led by Islamic scholars, who prayed for the repose of his soul and asked Allah to admit him to Aljanat Firdaus.
They also urged the family to support acts of charity and supplication on his behalf.
Speaking at the ceremony, the deceased’s first son, Abdul-Matin Obabiyi, described the loss of his father as devastating, underlining his lifelong commitment to responsibility and family unity.
“He worked to sow fruit he couldn’t eat. He was the best father in the world,” she said.
“He brought us together, made sure we were all educated and never failed in his responsibilities. May Allah grant him Aljanat Firdaus.”
His wife, Mrs Omoyeni Lawal Obabiyi, also paid tribute, describing him as a reliable and compassionate partner whose guidance extended beyond the family.
“I will miss everything about him,” he said, urging clerics to intensify prayers for the deceased and asking Allah to preserve their children and grant them long life.
The deceased’s daughter, Nimotalahi Obabiyi, said her father’s passing left a deep void in the family, adding that his values must be upheld by the children he left behind.
“No one can fill the space he left behind,” he said.
“We must stand together as a family and support everything he stood for. His death came too soon.”
His youngest son, six-year-old Abdul-Ramon Obabiyi, was also present at the prayer, along with his mother, who described the late union leader as caring and constantly present in their lives, despite his busy schedule.
He prayed for divine protection over the child.
The main cleric present at the event praised the family for conducting a peaceful and orderly Fidau prayer, describing the gathering as a reflection of the deceased’s values.
“This is a religious family,” he said.
“We encourage them to continue in prayers and charity on behalf of the deceased, as this will benefit them in the afterlife.”
Colleagues and collaborators also paid glowing tributes, describing Obabiyi as a fearless defender of workers’ rights and a committed trade unionist who consistently prioritized collective well-being over self-interest.
One of the participants said: “He always fought any battle for his colleagues. His sacrifice to the FMCA is incomparable. He addressed everyone’s problems as if they were his own, with transparency and responsibility.”
A fellow trade unionist, Comrade Taiwo Tiamiyu, described him as a mentor and reliable ally in trade union struggles.
“We fought many battles together. He was always on the front lines. He was a principled leader. I will miss everything we shared. May Allah forgive him,” she said.
Speakers at the event also recalled that the late president would face career setbacks, including being denied promotion on multiple occasions, due to his outspoken stance against perceived injustice in the workplace.
In a separate tribute, Comrade Omotara Nurudeen Olawale, Publicity Secretary of SSAUTHRIAI, described his death as a huge loss to the labor movement, stressing that his integrity and courage set him apart.
He urged union members and associates to emulate the late president’s dedication to service, forgiveness and truth.
It was further recalled that Obabiyi reportedly refused financial assistance from the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, shortly before his death, insisting that he did not want the sympathy to be misconstrued following his demise.
The ceremony concluded with renewed prayers, as family members and union leaders pledged to uphold his legacy of courage, solidarity and service to humanity.
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