Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has described the death of prof. Ayodeji Femi-Pearse as a great loss to the academic community as well as the hospitality industry.
The professor of medicine and founder of the Whispering Palms on Dec. 28 after a brief illness. He was aged 86.
A statement the Chief Press Secretary of the governor Habib Aruna, read in part: “Prof. Femi-Pearse was a man of many parts; from the academic world to the hospitality industry, he wrote his name in gold.
“His brilliance in the academia was well known as he contributed in no small way in enhancing research, especially in the medical profession.
“His contributions in the hospitality industry cannot be underestimated.
“Through the popular Whispering Palms resort, he founded with his late wife, he attracted visitors and tourists to the ancient town of Badagry and the state.
“He also spearheaded some community projects which today, have greatly enhanced the standard of living in the town.”
Commiserating with the family, Ambode admonished them to uphold the ideals the late Femi,-Pearse stood for and to preserve the legacies which would continue to serve as an inspiration for generations to come.
He said: “His death is a sad loss especially coming a few months after the demise of his wife, Ibilola.
“Indeed, a good man and a great man has gone home; the state and nation has lost a rare gem.
“I want to urge the entire family to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and his sterling contributions will never be forgotten in a hurry.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Prof. Femi-Pearse on this great and irreparable loss.
“He came and made our world a better place; he will be sorely missed,’’ the statement quoted Ambode as saying.
Femi-Pearse was a former Provost, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, UNILAG and Pro-Chancellor, Lagos State University, LASU.
