Mr. Hakeem Olawale Adebesin was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to the late Alhaji Afolabi Ashafa Adebesin and Mrs. Simbiatu Aweni Adebesin (née Olajumoke), who hailed from Itoko and Owu, respectively, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

He began his academic journey at Baptist Day School in Ijaye, Abeokuta, before attending Ahmadiyah College, Agege, where he completed both his secondary and higher school certificate education. He later worked at the Nigerian Produce Marketing Company (NPMC) on Lagos Island. In pursuit of greater academic and professional opportunities, he emigrated to the United States in 1974.

Mr. Adebesin went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University, with a major in Marketing and a minor in Economics. He later obtained his Master’s degree in Business and Public Administration from Southeastern University in Washington, DC.

Professionally, Mr. Adebesin devoted over four decades of his life to education and service. He served as an Adjunct Faculty and Math Tutor at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) from 1981 to 2024, where he was deeply loved and respected by students and colleagues alike. In addition, he worked as a Customer Service Representative for the City of Cleveland at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport from 1998 to 2018.

Mr. Adebesin was not only a scholar and professional, but also a community leader and cultural ambassador. He was the founding president of the Nigerian Community in Greater Cleveland (NCGC), a role he assumed during the organization’s second general meeting at the East Cleveland Public Library. Under his leadership, NCGC grew from fewer than 15 members and no financial base to a thriving organization with meaningful events and a sustainable governance structure. Even after his presidency, he remained actively involved, serving on several committees including the Constitution Review, Membership Affairs, and Independence Committees. He also held the role of Provost under multiple administrations.

Beyond his leadership, Mr. Adebesin was known for his warm spirit, consistency, and unshakable commitment to unity and progress. He enjoyed lawn and table tennis and took great pride in mentoring others and serving the Nigerian diaspora.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, son, brother, mentor, educator, and community builder. His legacy lives on in the lives of his students, his family, and the Nigerian Community in Greater Cleveland.

Mr. Adebesin is survived by: his wife, Mrs. Bolatito Adebesin, son: Hassan Adebesin, siblings: Mrs. Modupeola Adunni Ojomo, Mr. Olusegun Adebesin, Mrs. Bolanle Farinde, Dr. Ayodeji Abolade Adebesin, Pastor Kenneth Adebare Adebesin, Mr. Adebayo Adebesin (deceased).