http://kakalistiq.com reports that the ancient town of Epe is engulfed in mourning as it bids farewell to a rare royal gem, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Shefiu Adewale Bamgbopa Eshilokun I, the Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom, who passed on to join his ancestors yesterday.
But even in death, the echo of his unwavering courage and deep-rooted love for the community continues to resound beyond the Lagos coastline.
Reactions have poured in from far and wide, none more poignant than that of Barrister Omodele Ibrahim, President of the prestigious Epe Ogunmodede Club, speaking from overseas. In an emotionally laden tribute, Barrister Ibrahim described the late monarch as “a man of simple life and unsung accomplishments,” a leader whose quiet strength and uncompromising service etched his name deeply in the hearts of his people.
“He was complex in his simplicity,” Barrister Omodele noted, “and though very set in his ways, he remained remarkably accommodating. He was Epe personified, steadfast, devoted, and gracious.”
But among the many legacies Oba Eshilokun leaves behind, his disclosed that one moment stood out as a defining portrait of his reign, a moment that, to many, captured the very soul of kingship in its purest form.
He narrated that it was during the turbanning ceremony of the Grand Chief Imam of Epe Division, a tense day marked by political undercurrents and subtle threats that could have broken a lesser man. But not Kabiesi.
As the atmosphere around the central mosque thickened with uncertainty and resistance, Oba Eshilokun arrived, not with pomp but with purpose. He was met by familiar faces, Barrister Ibrahim, Baamofin, Dr. Yemi Hassan, the Sanuth family and other respected sons of the soil. In that moment, the monarch’s eyes gleamed with pride, and he made a simple yet weighty remark: “I am proud to see you all here.”
But it was what followed that etched the king’s name into the annals of Epe’s most courageous tales.
He recalled that despite intervention from security operatives and an attempt by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to halt the ceremony, Oba Eshilokun refused to back down. His reply to the DPO was as regal as it was restrained: “When I am done here, I will honor your invitation.”
Barrister Omodele stated that Olu-Epe stood his ground, ensuring that Imam Sadallah was brought in and the turbanning ceremony proceeded without disruption. To him, it was a moment of quiet defiance, a powerful signal to the community that its traditions, its sacred rites, and its dignity would not be negotiated under pressure.
“He didn’t chicken out,” Barrister Ibrahim recalled. “In the face of the heat, he remained courageous, that’s the definition of leadership. That moment, to me, is the height of valor, and it will stay with us forever.”
Beyond that courageous act, Barrister Omodele noted that Kabiesi’s life was one of daily sacrifices. As a former civil servant, he noted that Oba Adewale never allowed the weight of his office to overshadow his modest lifestyle or disconnect him from the pulse of the people. He was a king who walked among his people, listened with humility, and led with heart, he averred.
As the Eko-Epe community continues to celebrate the remarkable life of their pride and beloved monarch who was laid to rest by 4 pm yesterday, the town doesn’t just mourn the passage of a king, it celebrates a guardian of heritage, a defender of sacred identity, and a man whose quiet courage gave strength to an entire kingdom.
To Barrister Omodele Ibrahim, the revered Oba Shefiu Adewale Bamgbopa Eshilokun I is gone, but his name will remain a timeless reminder that true leadership is not about power, it is about standing firm when your people need you most.
