In 1990, Ayodeji Ogunniyi left Nigeria, along with his mother and brother, to come to the United States. They arrived in Chicago, joining Ayodeji’s father, Abimbola “Yinka” Ogunniyi, who had arrived a few years earlier, and was working as a cab driver.

Ayodeji with his father, Abimbola "Yinka" Ogunniyi, at home after church in 1993. Photo courtesy of Ayodeji Ogunniyi.Abimbola always wanted Ayodeji to be a doctor. But while Ayodeji was studying pre-med in college, his father was murdered on the job.

At StoryCorps, Ayodeji talked about how his father’s death changed the course of his life.

Originally aired October 30, 2011, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday.

Above: Photo courtesy of Ayodeji Ogunniyi