Before death in 2018 at the age of 86, Prof. Ayodeji Femi-Pearse was a man of supreme vision and this was exemplified in the creation of an amazing resort, Whispering Palms in Iworo, Badagry. But since his demise, the resort seems to be missing his innovations and desire for excellence.

During a recent visit to the resort,  it was quite obvious that things were not as lively as it used to be. Some of the fun facilities were left unclean and unattended to.

An insider told Tellitall that the resort was always lively and projects were always running when the founder was alive.

The source stated: “The resort was his property and he was always on the ground to ensure things were in order. Whenever there were visitors, he would personally welcome them.  He was even doing some projects before his demise. You know he was a visionary man. He loved innovations and was always thinking outside  the box.”

At the resort, the clear difference between now and when the founder was alive in the maintenance culture. The management of the resort has dropped and projects embarked on by the founder have been abandoned so far.

Although the late professor of medicine was blessed with four kids – two boys and two girls – it was gathered that none of them has a keen interest in running the resort.  They lost Lara many years ago. The first child, a woman, oversees the activities in the resort but  only visits once in a while or when it is really necessary. One of the founder’s son is not based in Nigeria, while little is known about the other.

During his lifetime, Femi-Pearse had an illustrious academic career as Provost, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Pro-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), among others. He retired into the hospitality industry to establish the famous seaside Whispering Palms leisure resort in 1991.