In Memory of Oluwadamilola Fatimat Agbaje: A Radiant Life, A Legacy to Carry Forward
By Rep. Akintunde Rotimi
I was devastated to learn of the passing of Oluwadamilola Fatimat Agbaje. A bright light has gone dim far too soon. Damilola was not just a mentee; she was a model of excellence, humility, purpose, and promise. Her life was a beacon of what is possible when talent meets discipline and vision is guided by values. She held the promise of staying on the fast track and becoming a force in her generation. Her passing is a painful interruption to a future rich with possibilities.
I first became aware of Damilola when she served as a panellist at a youth event in 2018, held as part of the activities to commemorate the commencement of the second term of His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as Governor of Ekiti State. She had also emerged as the winner in the undergraduate category of the accompanying JKF Essay Competition themed “Reclaiming Our Land, Restoring Our Values”, where she offered thoughtful recommendations on transforming Ekiti and empowering youth. I didn’t have the opportunity to engage her at the event, but I made a mental note of her and the promise she held.
Not until she reached out many years later did that quiet impression manifest. From the first message she sent me, crafted with such clarity, depth, and intention, it was evident that I had encountered a rare soul. Her thoughts were always meticulously put together, her communication elegant and compelling. She carried herself with the confidence and poise of someone deeply aware of her potential. Damilola never missed an opportunity to seek clarity, never hesitated to show gratitude, and never failed to follow through with excellence.
It didn’t take long to realise that Damilola was truly exceptional. She graduated with First Class honours in Law from Elizade University, finishing as the best graduating student of the 2018/2023 set with an extraordinary CGPA of 4.89 out of 5.00. Throughout her five years, she remained on the Founder’s List, consistently earning the highest academic distinction. But it wasn’t just about her grades. Damilola led with courage and conviction.
She served as President of the Elizade University Debating Society for two consecutive terms, and in 2023, was honoured with the Award for Exceptional Leadership by the university’s Tax Club. Her gift for words and clarity of thought also earned her the Best Female Speaker title at the All Nigerian Universities Debating Championship, twice, in 2019 and 2021. These achievements weren’t just decorations on her résumé; they were milestones of a life lived with fierce dedication, vision, and a hunger for positive impact.
As her representative in the House of Representatives, she earned unfettered access and she optimised it. By the grace of God, I was instrumental in her nomination to the Ekiti State Youth Parliament and to the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI). It was a case of access meeting preparedness and focus. She excelled as expected, emerging as Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State Youth Parliament. Likewise, in her LMI cohort, she was elected Deputy Majority Leader, the only fellow out of fifty to both win an elective seat and receive a Director’s Award.
Her worldview and engagements were pan-African and purpose-driven. Damilola was a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), a flagship program of the United States Department of State, as well as the Global Network of Emerging Leaders in Nation Building (GLEAN). She convened youth engagement sessions, visited schools in Ekiti to promote reading culture, and trained students in parliamentary debating, all at no cost. She used every platform to serve and elevate others.
I was very proud of Damilola. She was a model I often used as an example of diligence, excellence, and intentionality, someone who understood that access should be nurtured, not exploited. She believed deeply in me, in my philosophy and ideology. She celebrated my work and my person openly and often on her platforms, always affirming, always gracious.
She represented the very best of her generation. Her credentials dazzled, but it was her heart that truly set her apart, a deep love for Ekiti, a passion for service, and a mind constantly churning with ideas to solve problems. She was meant to be called to the Bar just days ago. I struggle with this thought, because that day should have been a celebration of the future she had fought for and was so ready to embrace.
Damilola was not just brilliant, she was diligent. Not just ambitious, but disciplined. Not just passionate, but prepared. In every engagement with me, she brought structure, sincerity, and soul. She made mentorship not only meaningful but joyful.
As she is laid to rest today, we are reminded that some lives, though brief, carry the weight and wonder of entire generations. Damilola’s journey may have ended sooner than we hoped, but her voice, her dreams, and her example remain with us. In honouring her, we commit to carrying forward the ideas she nurtured, the ideals she stood for, and the change she worked to create. Her life was the promise. Her legacy is the light. And that light will guide others to dream, to serve, and to lead.
Rest well, Oluwadamilola Fatimat Agbaje. You lived with purpose, and you left us with hope and a resolve to carry on with your vision for a better world.
● Rep. Rotimi is the spokesperson of the House of Representatives.
