Eight Years After, Stella Damasus Remembers Jaiye Aboderin

On Monday, sultry actress, Stella Damasus, held a eight-year remembrance session for her late husband, Jaiyejeje Olusegun Aboderin.

Aboderin, 33, died on 3 December 2004, after slumping on a basketball court where he was playing the game with friends. He was strongly suspected to have died of cardiac arrest.

Stella, who ran a music band, Synergy, with the late Jaiye, established a tradition of visiting her husband’s tomb on every annivesary of his death to offer special prayers and tributes.

At the eighth-year remembrance on Monday, Stella said she had the opportunity and rare privilege of being the wife and partner of the most wonderful, loving, industrious, God-fearing and kind man, stressing that life could not have been better than that “because I was living every woman’s dream.”

The beautiful actress and singer recalled that Jaiye gave her the best of everything. “We had our ups and downs as usual, but making up and resolving our issues were magical. I was blessed with the best husband and father and his name was Jaiye Aboderin. He was the love of my life and the one who did everything humanly possible to protect his family. Even in the face of all sorts of problems, all sorts of accusations, all sorts misconceptions, he was one who understood the true meaning of for better or worse,” she said.

Stella, who was 26 years when Jaiye died, disclosed that the sad incident occurred at a time their dreams were about to kick-off.

“The one thing I would like to say is that his life taught me unconditional love and his death taught me kindness. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to share his air, his thoughts, dreams, hopes, love, friendship and much more.

“I have since discovered that if a marriage is not based on trust and friendship, but most importantly, the love of God, then I am sorry it will never stand the test of time. I have been there and I know how things can fail right before your eyes without those elements,” she explained.

The late Jaiye is said to have been a lively and industrious man. He successfully ran Synergy, the band and equipment leasing company that rocked the Nigerian social scene then. Shortly before his death, Jaiye made several trips to South Africa, trying to conclude arrangements with Boy Records, his South African label, for the release of his album. The label would later demand his widow or the Aboderins to cough out over $5,000 before the album can be released. The album is yet to see the light of the day.

— Bayo Adetu