In the quiet chambers of mourning, truth often speaks loudest, and this time, it came from the heart of one of Epe’s most revered sons. kakalistiq.com reports that the Aremo of Epe Kingdom and seasoned media mogul, Otunba TJ Abass, has called on the younger generation to take a long, reflective look at the life and times of the late Olu-Epe of Epe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Shefiu Adewale Bamgbopa Eshilokun I.
The late monarch, who recently joined his ancestors, was not just a traditional ruler, but a towering emblem of humility, honesty, and the Omoluabi ethos, a Yoruba concept that prizes moral integrity, deep respect for others, and communal responsibility.
In a heartfelt response to a condolence message from his former media aide and protégé, Kaka Babatunde, Aremo Abass shared poignant memories and little-known anecdotes about the late king, stories that not only honor his legacy but serve as a moral compass for a generation often enamored with material wealth and fleeting fame.
“You were not merely a media errand boy, you became an integral part of a collective mission: to tell our story,” Abass told Kaka, reminding him that the story they told was rooted in values, not vanity. “A story rooted in good name, character, integrity, and the Omoluabi ethos so deeply embodied by the late Kabiyesi.”
According to the Aremo, the Olu-Epe’s lifestyle was marked by rare simplicity, especially in a society where royalty is often equated with grandeur. “He was never among the most flamboyant of monarchs. His personal car collection could be counted in a second, just two vehicles. He owned only two modest houses,” Abass recounted.
What’s even more striking is the monarch’s refusal to enrich himself, despite having access to power and opportunity. As a former Executive Secretary of Lands in Lagos State, Oba Bamgbopa could have amassed immense wealth. But he remained untouched by greed. “Not a single plot of land bore his name,” said Abass.
Perhaps the most revealing moment came when Abass recalled a conversation with the current Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu. “Kabiyesi was the one who allocated him his very first parcel of land in Lekki,” he said. “Yet Kabiyesi himself never owned land in Lekki, or anywhere else of prominence.”
The late monarch also once rejected the gift of a car, urging the giver to instead channel the funds into building roads for the community, a gesture that, according to Abass, underscores the late king’s unwavering dedication to public good over personal comfort.
“Integrity was not just his principle, it was his very identity,” Abass emphasized. “His deepest concern was never self-enrichment, but lasting impact.”
As Epe mourns the loss of a royal father, Abass hopes that young people across the nation will draw vital lessons from the Olu-Epe’s exemplary life. “May the younger generation find inspiration in his example,” he said. “May they learn that honor is greater than affluence, and that legacy is built not by what we acquire, but by what we give.”
In a time when materialism and self-promotion dominate the cultural narrative, the late Oba Dr. Shefiu Adewale Bamgbopa Eshilokun I stands as a quiet but towering counter-example: a king who ruled with wisdom, walked in humility, and gave without counting the cost.
