Former student dies from cancer
Ifeoluwa “Ife” Agboola passed away due to complications from cancer on Dec. 6, 2009. The 23-year-old Nigerian native attended the University of Indianapolis until his health hindered his enrollment.
Ife arrived at UIndy in Jan. 2006 to study chemistry and business administration. He was an active student on campus, participating in such organizations as UIndy for UNICEF and the African Student Association. Ife was known throughout the UIndy campus as a kind, giving person who always wore a smile.
“I can’t believe I’m using the word was, but Ife was an amazing person,” Olorunloba “Loba” Ogunmola, UIndy alum and friend of Ife, said. “He was as flexible as water, loving freely and unconditionally. He broke racial and ethnic barriers easily; he could make friends with anybody.”
Ifeoluwa, which means ‘Love of God’ in Yoruba, a Nigerian language, was also described as courageous following his diagnosis with cancer.
“He was so spirited that he registered for classes in Aug. 2009, daring to go on with life,” junior Aboubacar “Bouba” Sylla, another close friend of Ife, recalled.
A primary funeral was held on Dec. 10, but a student memorial took place in McCleary Chapel on Jan. 20. Students and faculty spoke about Ife, provided words of encouragement and celebrated the life of their shared friend.
“I still hadn’t buried Ife in my mind, but after the event at school I felt more at peace,” Ogunmola said.
Junior Sere “Fifi” Conde also spoke about Ife.
“I met him my freshman year and we just became best friends,” Conde said. “He was quiet, humble. You couldn’t be mad when Ife was around.”
Both Ogunmola and Conde agree that Ife touched their lives more than he knew.
“Sometimes I think that my purpose of coming here was to help Ife. We just connected and I am so glad for the time that I got to spend with him,” Ogunmola said.
Conde and Ogunmola provided advice for any other student coping with the loss of a loved one.
“Pray. It’s all I did,” Conde said.
Ogunmola added: “We are all going to lose someone someday, so love everyone now and don’t regret missed opportunities later. Like Ife always said, keep giving, whether or not you get anything in return, for love is free.”
Ife echoed the thoughts of his friends in his own words. Shortly after his diagnosis, he wrote a poem titled “One Life, One Soul.” It ended as thus:
“So when I die like I know I will, U remember ONE LIFE, ONE SOUL and I lived it well.”
