A Life Well Lived in Service to Humanity

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.

Acts 20:35 New Living Translation (NLT)

Professor Otunba Solomon Oluwafunmilayo Olubunmi Badejo passed on to glory on Wednesday the 18th of August 2021. He was 73 years old and is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Prof. Badejo left behind a legacy of community support and an immeasurable positive impact on people’s lives. We thank God for the exemplary life that he lived in service to humanity.

Biography

Family Tree and childhood

Prof. Otunba Solomon Badejo (FFAN, FFFPS, NPOM, JP) was born on the 23rd of January 1948 in Ikija-Ijebu, a community in Ogun State Nigeria about 12km from Ijebu-Ode. He was the fourth (and last) born of Pa Emmanuel Okuneye Badejo and Mrs. Reginah Adefowora Badejo. His siblings include Mr. John Badejo, Mr. Jacob Badejo, and Mrs. Lydia Adeyemi. He also has step brothers and step sisters. Prof. Solomon’s paternal grandfather was Pa David Badejo.

Education and Career

Prof. Solomon Badejo was among the first beneficiaries of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free primary school education policy established in the 1950s. He started his primary school education in 1955 and completed it in 1960. After spending a little over one year at one of the secondary modern schools established by the then Government of the Western Region of Nigeria, he proceeded to the prestigious Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu-Ode with a full scholarship to continue his higher education which he completed in 1967. He also completed his Higher School Certificate (HSC) education at the same College from 1968 to 1969.

In 1973, Prof. Badejo earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) from the Department of Forestry at the University of Ibadan. He later attended the University of British Colombia in Vancouver, Canada where in 1977 he earned a Masters in Forestry (MF) degree majoring in Wood Science and Technology. After many years of laboratory research work at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), he completed his PhD in 1999 at the Federal University of Technology in Akure, Nigeria focusing on Forestry and Wood Technology.

Prof. Badejo’s research work was not only conducted in FRIN but also in wood science laboratories across the globe. These include the Western Forest Products Laboratory in Vancouver Canada, the Federal Research Center for Forest Products in Hamburg Germany, and the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute in Tsukuba Japan. He retired on the 31st of March 2015 after serving two terms as the Chief Executive Director of FRIN, the highest office at the Institute.

An avid environmentalist, Prof. Badejo’s pursued reforestation and sustainable forestry approaches. His highly focused research led to a scientific breakthrough—the development of a manual process for converting wood wastes into high grade building materials. His experience and qualifications being a niche academic area, he was invited to lecture students at several universities and deliver scientific papers at many international conferences. In 2014, he was appointed Professor of Forestry and Environmental Sciences at the European-American University.

Achievements, REcognition, And Awards

Prof. Solomon Badejo’s research work earned him national and international recognition. On the 23rd of September 2010, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, decorated him with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award. Prof. Badejo became a fellow of the Forest Products Society and the Forestry Association of Nigeria. He published 125 scientific journals and conference papers, and won 60 awards during his professional career. These include awards from the African Leadership Society, the International Bibliographical Center in England, and the American Bibliographical Institute.

Family

Prof. Badejo married the love of his life, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluremi Badejo, on the 19th of November 1977. They were happily married and stayed true to their vows “till death do us part”. More than being husband and wife, they were close friends and each other’s confidant. Prof. Badejo is survived by 6 children and 9 grandchildren. His children include Olumade, Kemi, Yetunde, Funmilayo, Funmilola, and David. Prof. Badejo was happy to see his family expand as his children got married. He had a close and loving relationship with his sons and daughters in-law: Toluwalope, Victor, Tunji, Seyi, and Susan. He was very much respected as the patriarch of the family, and he was so amiable and openminded that everyone in the family developed unique relationships with him.

Community Impact

Professor Badejo’s impact was far reaching even beyond his immediate and extended family. Despite his achievements, he was very grounded and approachable. He would readily relate with people regardless of age, background, or status. At the core of his being was kindness and so he was remarkably altruistic and always eager to sacrifice self in order to help others. Throughout his career, he mentored many in their chosen fields, creating opportunities for them to excel in life. As a christian, he was always willing to unconditionally forgive. He was the true embodiment of the teaching to love your neighbor as thyself. His impact within the community and on people’s lives is immeasurable.

TRAVel

Prof. Badejo was widely traveled. He lived in and/or visited the following countries: Canada, United States, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Israel, Budapest, and United Kingdom. Despite all the places he had been, and all the cultures he experienced, there was nowhere as near and dear to his heart as his hometown, Ijebu-Ikija. It is therefore befitting that this is his final resting place.

Christianity

Professor Badejo was a devout christian. He was raised in the christian way and he attended Our Saviours Anglican Church in Ikija-Ijebu with his parents during his childhood. Later in life, his contacts with different great men of God contributed immensely to his spirituality. He held important positions in the church and was very generous in supporting church projects and community outreach programs. He was a bible scholar and he was appointed a Professor at the Evangelical Christian University of America. He raised all his children in the christian way. Here is a list of his favorite family christian songs and hymns.