- Epe dignitaries, political leaders, educationists, traditional personalities, and associates gathered to honour late Prince Ademola Badejo EniOlorunopa at his wake-keep.
- Speakers, including High Chief Akim Durojaiye Oluwo and Prince Segun Osinaike, recounted personal experiences of the deceased’s kindness, generosity, integrity, and service to humanity.
- The deceased’s first son, Prince Babatunde Omogbolahan Badejo, thanked family members, friends, and well-wishers for supporting the family and prayed for long life for all.
Dignitaries, political leaders, traditional personalities, educationists, family members, and associates on Thursday, August 6, 2026, gathered at the Epe residence of the late Prince Ademola Badejo EniOlorunopa, former President of Epe Club, to honour his memory and celebrate a life defined by service, compassion, integrity, and remarkable contributions to Epe and Lagos State.
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Eko Hot Blog reports that the wake-keep, held in preparation for the final burial rites of the respected educationist and experienced politician, provided an emotional platform for those who knew him to recount his contributions to the education sector, public service, politics, and community development.
Speakers at the gathering described the deceased as a peaceful, accommodating, selfless, and compassionate man whose influence extended beyond his immediate family to colleagues, students, political associates, and residents of Epe.
Among those who paid tribute was a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja, who represented Epe Federal Constituency, Hon. Apesin Ibrahim Adebola Moshood Gbabijo, who described the deceased as “a great and marvellous man” whose positive influence and contributions to the development of Epe and Lagos State would remain indelible.
Gbabijo particularly acknowledged the late Prince Badejo’s contributions to the institution now known as the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), formerly the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), as well as his service to Epe Local Government and Lagos State.
Also paying tribute, the Ashipa of Epe Land, Vice President of Epe Club, and Commissioner of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), High Chief Akim Durojaiye Oluwo, described the deceased as a loving father, devoted family man, and genuine lover of humanity.
Recounting a personal experience that demonstrated the depth of the deceased’s compassion, Oluwo said late Prince Badejo remained concerned about the welfare of others even when he was personally battling ill health.
“He showed me and my household great love and cared about our well-being. When I lost my wife, he was very sick and hospitalized, but by the time he heard that I lost my wife, he immediately left his sick bed for my residence. When I saw him, I was shocked. I just had to tell him to rest for five minutes and return back to the hospital. He was my good uncle and I’m going to miss him a lot,” Oluwo said.
In his tribute, Hon. Adedoyin Adesanya described the late Prince Badejo as a father figure whose influence extended across both the church and political spheres.
“Late Prince Ademola Badejo EniOlorunopa was a good father to me both in the church and in politics. He was an embodiment of integrity, honesty, love, unity and service to humanity. He was a former Secretary to Epe Local Government, and his contribution to the education sector is a great legacy,” Adesanya stated.
Another emotional testimony came from the immediate past Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, Prince Segun Osinaike, who recalled the late Prince Badejo’s generosity and exceptional commitment to the welfare of people working in Epe.
According to Osinaike, the deceased’s kindness was not restricted to people from Epe, as he treated everyone equally and went out of his way to make others comfortable.
“Late Prince Ademola Badejo was a very loving, caring and highly accommodating person. He never discriminated. I could remember when I was seeking accommodation, the first place I resided in Epe around KLM Street was given to me and my colleagues by him, free of charge, as he promised to make us comfortable working in Epe,” he recalled.
Osinaike further narrated how the deceased personally transported him and his colleagues to their place of work at Government College, Ketu, Lagos.
“He would personally drive from this residence here, Mustapha Street, to KLM Street on a daily basis and convey me and my colleagues by his car to Government College, Ketu, where we were teaching then,” he said.
Reflecting on Prince Badejo’s tenure at MOCPED, now LASUED, Osinaike said the deceased contributed significantly to creating employment opportunities without discrimination.
“When he was at MOCPED, now LASUED, he employed many people, regardless of whether you are indigenes of Epe or not, because he did not discriminate,” he added.
Osinaike prayed that God would grant the family the strength to bear the loss, stressing that the deceased left behind a legacy worthy of celebration.
“It is my prayer that God will grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss, and they should take solace in the fact that he lived a well-impactful and fulfilled life,” he said.
Also present at the wake-keep was Prince Bayo Apena, who joined family members and well-wishers in praying for the repose of the deceased’s soul. He encouraged the children of the late Prince Badejo to remain thankful to God for the impactful life their father lived and the positive legacy he left behind.
Although he was not physically present at the wake-keep, the Bashorun of Epe Land, High Chief Engr. Adeniyi Ogunsanya, had earlier paid tribute to the deceased alongside other members of Epe Club at the club house.
Ogunsanya and other members of the club acknowledged Prince Badejo’s contributions to Epe and described him as a great man and lover of humanity whose absence would be deeply felt.
The Olori Aribike Adewale of Epe Kingdom was also among the dignitaries who honoured the deceased. She attended the lying-in-state ceremony earlier held at Epe Club and later joined mourners at the wake-keep, demonstrating her respect for a man whose exemplary lifestyle and contributions earned him the admiration of many.
The tributes continued as family members, neighbours, former colleagues, members of the teaching profession, children, grandchildren, and other associates shared personal experiences of the deceased.
Across the testimonies, one recurring description stood out: Prince Ademola Badejo EniOlorunopa was a man who touched lives through kindness, generosity, mentorship, service, and genuine concern for others.
The wake-keep eventually came to a solemn close with prayers and spiritual ministrations by clergymen from Anglican Churches across Epe Division, who gathered to honour God for the life and legacy of the deceased and pray for the repose of his soul.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the first son of the deceased, Prince Babatunde Omogbolahan Badejo, described his father as a loving, caring, compassionate father and an exceptional mentor who constantly encouraged his children to pursue possibilities even when circumstances appeared difficult.
According to him, his father instilled in him the confidence to “dare the undarable” and believe that success was possible even where others saw impossibility.
Prince Babatunde expressed appreciation to relatives, friends, political associates, community leaders, neighbours, and well-wishers who have rallied around the family during the period of mourning.
He prayed that God would reward everyone for their support and grant them long life to witness many more celebrations.
The wake-keep ultimately became more than a farewell gathering. It was a celebration of a life that left footprints across education, politics, community service, family, and human relationships, with the testimonies of those present offering a lasting picture of a man whose legacy continues to live in the people he touched.
