“He Made Me Remember Dad,” Gbenga Adeboye’s Son Shares What Mum’s Ex-Lover Always Did When He Visited

For years, the story of what happened to the family of late Nigerian comedy legend, Gbenga Adeboye, after his death has been told in whispers, rumours and half-truths. Now, his youngest son, Igwe Adeboye, has broken the silence with a touching memory that has melted hearts across social media.

In a recent revealing interview with Kasnaty Sugar, Igwe spoke openly about his mother Lara’s relationship with NURTW chieftain, Alhaji Lukman Ajuwon, the man his mother dated after losing her husband, and the unexpected kindness that man showed to a grieving little boy.

Gbenga Adeboye, fondly remembered as Funwontan, was one of Nigeria’s most beloved comedians, a radio giant whose voice, humour and wisdom shaped a generation. His death left a huge vacuum, not just in the entertainment industry, but in his own home, where his young children were left to grow up without their father.

Igwe, the youngest child of the late entertainer, was still a child when his father passed. Like many children who lose a parent early, he grew up with a father-shaped hole in his heart, searching for the laughter, protection and playfulness that only a dad can give.

That was when Ajuwon came into their lives. According to Igwe, the NURTW chieftain did not come as a stranger who ignored the children or treated them as obstacles. Instead, he made deliberate efforts to connect with them whenever he visited their home.

One gesture, in particular, remained permanently etched in Igwe’s memory. Ajuwon knew how much the little boy loved football, and he used that knowledge to build a bridge to his heart.

“When he knew I love to play football, anytime he came to the house, he would call me to the compound and play football with me,” Igwe recalled, his voice filled with emotion as he relived those childhood afternoons.

It was not just about kicking a ball. For a boy who had lost his father, those moments in the compound meant attention, comfort, belonging, and the feeling of being seen. In those simple games, Igwe found something he thought he had lost forever.

“He reminded me of my dad,” Igwe said, in five simple words that have now resonated with thousands of Nigerians who understand what it means for a child to find fatherly warmth in an unexpected place.

His account offered a rare glimpse into the human side of a relationship that had long been the subject of gossip and speculation. Beyond the headlines and rumours about his mother’s relationships after her husband’s death, there was a man who showed up, played, and cared.

Igwe also said he was happy that his mother openly acknowledged dating Ajuwon, despite the rumours. He noted that Lara had every right to remarry, but had previously explained that she chose not to do so because of her children, a sacrifice he clearly does not take for granted.

Today, Igwe’s story has reframed the conversation. It is no longer just about who his mother dated after Gbenga Adeboye’s death. It is about kindness, fatherhood beyond blood, and how a simple game of football in a compound can heal a little boy’s heart and remind him of the dad he lost.