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WYBF: Badejo’s Memory Lives On
By Augustine Adah
For over three hours, guests present at the 16th edition of Wilson and Yinka Badejo Foundation‘s, WYBF annual lecture and scholarship awards were held spellbound as encomiums were poured on the late General Overseer of FourSquare Gospel, Dr Wilson Badejo over his enduring service in the Lord’s vineyard.
Two years after his death, members of the foundation’s Board of Trustees (BoT), with the current chairman, Dr. Osaren Emokpae, decided to continue where the late founder and visionary left it. They resolved to hold annual public lectures and other functions. These include offering scholarships to indigent but brilliant students from different higher institutions of learning.
The 16th annual lecture and scholarship awards with the theme; Negotiating A Fairer Nigeria was delivered by Dr. Osaren Emokpae, Havilah Open Door Group.
For more than an hour, Emokpae took time to x-ray Nigeria’s political and economic challenges which successive governments have failed to resolve.
He expressed disappointment in the maiden speech of President Bola Tinubu to the nation for his failure to speak on economic development, production economy, how to integrate the Igbos who have been marginalized in the scheme of things since the civil war ended and how to bring a stop to brain drain in the country.
An economist by profession, Emokpae renewed the call for a sovereign conference where interest of every part of the country would be discussed. He declared, “We need to come together and discuss our existence otherwise the country is heading nowhere.”
He further stressed that with more than 80 percent of Sokoto State residents living in extreme poverty and more than half of Nigerians in 16 states of the country living below poverty, the hope of pulling the country out of poverty syndrome remains dim.
Emokpae expressed disappointment in the government that came into power on a Muslim-Muslim ticket despite opposition from the Christian community and the decision to recycle those who looted the country’s treasury into the new cabinet. He advocated a government of equity, justice and equality as the panacea to the myriad of challenges bedeviling the country.
In what appeared to be a rendering account of his stewardship, the outgoing chairman declared that in the past two years, the foundation under him had been able to introduce corporate governance and discipline. He commended members of the board for their tireless service to the foundation and humanity in general.
He further stressed that the decision to institute a scholarship scheme was borne out of late Badejo’s compassion for the less privileged in the society and urged the beneficiaries to aim for academic excellence and good character.
It was another lecture time when Bola Obasanjo , wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was handed the microphone for a short speech. Having acknowledged the cordial relationship that existed between her and the late Badejos’ Obasanjo used the opportunity to educate women on how to relate with their husband guests, especially drivers.
She advised women especially those from privileged homes not to overlook any guest that followed their husbands to the house. She revealed that the secret of longevity lies in eating a balanced diet, regular exercise and rest.
It is on record without doubt that the tenure of Rev. Dr. Badejo as General Overseer ushered into the Foursquare Church remarkable and progressive development in all facets of the growth of the church, including spiritual, human, mission and capital resources. These have positioned the church as one of the fastest-growing Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria.
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