In the wake of the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Shefiu Adewale Bamgbopa Eshilokun I, the 19th Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom, kakalistiq.com reports that heartfelt tributes continue to pour in, none more personal and poignant than that of Dr. Hakeem Shittu, Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), who described the late monarch not just as a king, but as a confidant, guardian, and an irreplaceable compass of leadership.
In a phone interview, Dr. Shittu reflected on his deeply personal relationship with the monarch, who passed on Saturday, June 30, 2025, after 15 years of devoted service to his people. With deep emotions, he called the late king “a rare treasure in governance and a giant in grassroots development.”
“He was more than royalty to me,” Shittu said. “Kabiyesi was a father figure, a silent mentor whose humility, wisdom, and love for his people shaped the very fabric of Epe’s growth.”
According to the LASUBEB boss, Oba Adewale’s legacy reaches far beyond the throne. As a seasoned civil servant before his ascension, the monarch left behind a track record of excellence that, in Shittu’s words, “etched his name into the conscience of service in Lagos State.”
Dr. Shittu paid glowing tribute to the king’s tireless efforts as a peace broker, recalling how his subtle yet firm interventions often brought resolution to thorny community disputes. “He was the kind of leader who didn’t need to raise his voice to command respect, his presence alone settled storms,” he said.
Beyond governance, the late monarch was also celebrated as a steward of tradition and culture. Shittu particularly lauded his revival of the Epe Kayokayo Festival, describing it as “a cultural vanguard that has transformed into a powerhouse celebration within the Lagos cultural calendar, thanks to Kabiyesi’s vision.”
Turning to the royal household, Dr. Shittu offered warm words to the queen, Olori Aribike Adewale, whom he praised for her unyielding devotion throughout the king’s reign. “She was his rock. Her compassion and care helped prolong the life of a king who gave so much of himself. She stood by him through thick and thin, and for that, she deserves the deepest gratitude of this kingdom.”
In his closing words, Dr. Shittu extended condolences to the Olu-Epe-in-Council and the people of Epe, urging them to hold fast to the values Late Oba Adewale exemplified: peace, humility, service, and cultural pride.
“This is not just the end of a reign,” he said. “It’s the end of an era. But in our hearts and in the continued progress of Epe, Kabiyesi lives on.”
Oba Dr. Shefiu Adewale Bamgbopa Eshilokun I leaves behind a legacy carved in wisdom, peace, and tradition: a king whose crown rested lightly on a head full of vision.
