Abel Toluwajube Ajiboye was born on November 27, 1950 in Ekere-Ekiti, Ekiti State in Nigeria to Daniel Adebayo and Janet Jolade Ajiboye. He attended high school at Iju-Itaogbolu Grammar School in Akure, Nigeria and the Federal College of Forestry in Ibadan, Nigeria. Abel worked for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry Division for over 10 years before immigrating to the United States.
Abel met Mary Aborisade in 1975. They married in 1978. Abel immigrated to the US later that year on a Nigerian federal scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Wood Science at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC – temporarily leaving his wife, who was pregnant with their first son, Bolu, in Nigeria. Abel would later reunite with his wife when she joined him in the US in 1980, and later his three-year-old son when he came in 1982. Abel graduated from NC State in 1982 and later earned his Master’s in Industrial Management from Missouri State University.
After working for almost fifteen years in telecommunications, Abel started his own business entitled, Netronix, in 1998. He worked tirelessly and diligently to grow the business. Even after becoming ill he continued to strive as an entrepreneur, even working from his hospital bed, to the amazement of the doctors and nurses caring for him. Netronix won many awards, including the Minority Technology Firm of the Year from the Raleigh/Durham Minority Business Development Agency in 2003. Abel was also a member of BICSI for over 10 years and was a Registered Communications Distribution Designer, a highly-regarded credential from BICSI for communications technology professionals.
Abel’s grandson, Elijah Toluwajube Ajiboye, was born in 2011. Elijah always brought Abel a lot of joy whenever he came to North Carolina to visit his Baba, which was an especially welcomed relief during his illness. Elijah and Baba were best buddies from the beginning and would often have many competitions, including drumming, eating, and arithmetic contests.
Abel was very proud of his Nigerian roots. He was a member of the Ekiti Parapo Association of North Carolina, where he helped address the diaspora of Ekiti people from Nigeria living in the US.
Abel was a devout Christian. He attended The First African Baptist Church with his family for over ten years, and he also served as a Deacon. He then attended King’s Park International Church, where he was a member for almost two decades and volunteered with the Kids Kamp. Abel always wanted to help everyone he met in any way in could. Abel was known for his big smile, his gregarious nature and inviting demeanor. Abel could have a conversation with anyone. He especially enjoyed meeting people from different countries and would ask how to say simple greetings in their languages so he could tell them “Hello”, “Goodbye”, and “Thank you” in their native tongues. He always did everything he could to make somebody else feel welcome.
Abel was an avid traveler. He had the opportunity to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa to see his beloved Nigerian Super Eagles. He also recently made trips to Australia, Vancouver, and a cruise from London to the US. He especially liked hats and would bring them back as souvenirs from wherever he traveled. Abel was a devoted NC State Wolfpack football and basketball fan, and firmly believed and lived out the motto of Jim Valvano, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up”. Abel highly valued education and pushed his children to excel academically. He was extremely proud of all of his children and would tell anyone who would listen about them and their accomplishments.
Abel is survived by his wife, Mary Ajiboye; son Dr. Bolu Ajiboye and grandson, Elijah Ajiboye of Cleveland, OH; son Bunmi Ajiboye of Atlanta, GA; daughters, Dr. Seun Ajiboye of Alexandria, VA and Solape Ajiboye of Raleigh, NC; his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Aborisade; and numerous siblings and relatives in Nigeria.
Abel fought a long and courageous battle against cancer. The strength, endurance and positivity he displayed amazed and touched the hearts of the many people involved in his care. Even during his illness, he consistently showed care and concern for everybody else. Abel’s family loves him and will miss him dearly and will forever keep his memory alive. His family is grateful that his difficult journey is complete and that he is now at peace. His family would like to express profound gratitude to the doctors, nurses and nursing assistants at UNC Rex Hospital and Transitions Life Care for their care and compassion throughout Abel’s illness, and to the numerous friends who supported Abel and his family for the last several years.
Family will receive friends on Saturday - March 24, 2018 from 10 am - 12 noon at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh). Funeral Services will be held on Sunday at 2:30 pm in the funeral home chapel, with interment to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. A Service of Song will then be held at Forest Hills Baptist Church (201 Dixie Trail in Raleigh), with a Reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research and/or directly to Abel's Memorial Fund.
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