A silent achiever in the Nigerian tourism industry departed on Sun
day as the Founder of Whispering Palms, Badagry, passed on. Although he was a medical doctor and university administrator, he inspired, built, nurtured and preserved a resort loved by many, teaching the country that everyone can play a part in tourism development.
Femi-Pearse, who died after a brief illness at the age of 86, managed the facility with her widow, Ibilola. Based on the impact the resort has made, the professor’s death is bound to touch many people in different ways. Interestingly, the facility built in the 1970s was initially conceived to be an escape hub for Femi-Pearse and his family. It was later he considered opening up the fun for all and sundry. And, till today, it flaunts a unique profile:
- Whispering Palms sits on 12 acres of land with an annex. The annex sits on 8 acres of land.
- It was a popular honey moon destination back in the day.
- There’s a mango trunk on the grounds that is said to be over a 100 years old.
- While all the coconut trees on the resort look similar there are actually 3 different types – Dwarf, Tall and Hybrids.
- It is said that when you sleep there, you can hear the trees whispering hence the name Whispering Palms.
Among other people who have condoled the Femi-Pearse family, President Muhammadu Buhari said the renowned professor of medicine left his footprints on the sands of time, serving meritoriously at the General Hospital, Lagos, and Lagos University Hospital (LUTH), among others.
He noted in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Femi Adesina, “Combining medical practice with academics, Prof Femi-Pearce was Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, and later, Pro-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), for four years.
“At retirement, he co-founded the leisure resort, Whispering Palms, which he managed with his wife. Tremendous impact was made on the host community through various social development interventions.”
Femi-Pearce was born on September 18, 1932, in Yaba, Lagos State. He attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos and proceeded to the University of Aberdeen Scotland to study medicine and later joined UNILAG College of Medicine and LUTH as a staff.
He became a professor in 1977 at the age of 45 and later provost, UNILAG College of Medicine and chief medical director, LUTH. He was appointed as UNILAG acting vice-chancellor in 1980 and was chairman, LASU Governing Council between 2000 and 2004.
