- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
Okemesi born journalist and publisher of Kayegbo International Magazine, Chief Morakinyo Ogunniyi has advanced reasons why prominent cleric and founder of Jerusalem Church of God International, Primate (Dr.) Funke Babayemi emerged as the Iconic Woman of the Year, 2026 among several other top women.
He made this known in his investiture address, details of which is reproduced in this reports:
INVESTITURE ADDRESS IN HONOUR OF HER EMINENCE, THE MOST REV. DR. (MRS) E. O. BABABAYEMI, JP
Primate & Founder, Jerusalem Church of The Lord International (Ile Ewe)
Sunday, 4th October, 2026 | Jerusalem Church of The Lord, Ado-Ekiti.
Protocol duly observed.
Distinguished Board of Trustees, revered Fathers and Mothers of Ekiti, members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.
We are gathered here today on a historic occasion.
This year, Ekiti State marks three major milestones: the 140th Anniversary of the Ekiti Parapo War of Liberation which united Yorubaland, the 30th Anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, and the successful completion of the first term of our visionary Governor, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, BAO, who is set for a second term.
It is equally significant that Kayegbo Media Outfit, Publisher of Kayegbo Publications, is also 30 years in the service of Ekiti State.
In the spirit of these celebrations, the Editorial Board of Kayegbo Publications has chosen to honour Iconic Women who are excelling in their callings and touching lives – and our mother, Iya Ewe, stands tall among them.
We have watched her closely. As a leading Church Founder, a respected community leader in Ado-Ekiti, a generous giver, and a prayer warrior who daily intercedes for our nation and for nation-builders, she has touched countless lives and lifted communities.
Behind every great development in the world, you will find iconic women. The time to celebrate them is now, while they are alive.
Therefore, on behalf of our Life Patron, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, CON, who has empowered me to identify and honour distinguished sons and daughters of Ekiti, and in my capacity as Publisher of Kayegbo Publications, I have the honour to pronounce:
Our Mother, Her Eminence Iya Ewe, is hereby honoured and invested as ICONIC WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2026.
By this investiture, she has also been inducted into the Afe Babalola Hall of Fame and Ule Itan Ekiti Parapo Archive, Okemesi-Ekiti, as a living record of those who have served humanity with distinction.
Congratulations, our Mother. May this honour inspire you to do even more for our people.
Thank you, and God bless Ekiti State.
E-signed:
Chief Morakinyo Ogunniyi Kayegbo
Amuludun of Okemesi-Ekiti (Since 2000)
Publisher, Kayegbo Publications
==============================
BIOGRAPHY OF HER EMINENCE, THE MOST REV’D DR. (MRS.) E. O. BABAYEMI , (IYA – EWE), JP, PRIMATE & FOUNDER OF JERUSALEM CHURCH OF THE LORD INTERNATIONAL (ILE – EWE), ADO EKITI.
This beautiful daughter of Zion – a daughter of great promise and purpose – christened Eunice Olufunke and now, Her Eminence, The Most Rev’d Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice Olufunke Babayemi, JP (Iya – Ewe), Mother of Nations was born on August 8, 1941 to the noble family of late Pa Omokehinde and Mama Egbeniyemi Adubiaro of Odo – Ado, Ado – Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Her grandparents were High Chief Elemodo and Pa Anirare Olumoyeke, both hailed from Odo – Ado and Okesha quarters respectively.
The nobility of both families in Ado – Ekiti commanded the greetings of Oja, indicating their lineage to the Royal Family. She attended Our Saviour’s Primary School, Ado – Ekiti and later obtained her Senior School Examination
Certificate (SSCE).
She was a very successful trader who specialised in the sales and distribution of enamel wares in her native town, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. Her Eminence, Primate Dr. (Mrs.) E. O. Babayemi, who was born into a devoted Christian family of the Anglican Communion with their choice
church being Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, Odo – Ado, Ado – Ekiti remained faithful and loyal
to the church until 1974.
However, she left the Anglican Church, when faced with some challenges amongst which was her inability to have additional children, and subsequently joined The Church of the Lord
(ALADURA) Worldwide, No. 1 Odundun Street, Ado-Ekiti in 1974.
This movement could be described as divine because most people of her time would have gone into the foundation of African traditional religion to find solace. The decision to go to The Church of the Lord (ALADURA) along with her late husband, Captain – General P. A. Babayemi, JP, was a decisive step which paid off in a later life.
Despite this shift to the white garment church, her intrinsic love for business made her to pay only a passing attention to the call of God upon her life.
However, she did not stop going to church in spite of the losses she suffered in business and the mockery by her colleagues.
In real term, she encountered a lot of hardship due to her resistance to yield to the call of God.
The most vivid experience was when she watched helplessly as all her fortunes in enamel wares were crushed by a truck at Palm Grove, Ikorodu – Lagos in one of her business trips to
Lagos in 1978. Curiously enough, nothing touched the consignments of her colleagues.
Fruitfulness in all areas of human life, most especially in the breaking of the yoke of infertility is confirmed every day in the Church; numerous women have experienced great turn around
and are now happy and proud mothers, with those children (now young adults) doing exploits within and outside the shores of Nigeria. As at the last count, we have close to three thousand covenant children, now a great blessings to their respective families, the church of Christ, and
the world at large.
These children were safely delivered through the spiritual assistance of the Holy Spirit, and by the physical hands of the anointed of God, and God’s servant, Primate Dr. (Mrs.) E. O. Babayemi at the church Ile Ewe Maternity Center, Ado – Ekiti, Ekiti State adorned with moder equipment/ facilities and capable hands to aid easy deliveries of pregnant women.
In the avowed desire of the church to give these children sound foundational education, necessitated obtaining the State Government approval to establish a Nursery and Primary School at the headquarters Church in February, 2004 where the children are exposed to sound Christian doctrine as well as modern day education.
To the glory of God, some of these children, now young adults, have completed university education and are contributing their quota to the socio – economic development of societies around the globe.
In the course of her service in the Lord’s vineyard, Primate Dr. (Mrs.) E. O. Babayemi, JP (Iya Ewe) was awarded several honours in her community, State and country at large. Among
them are:
i. The ATAYESE of Ekiti by Egbe Akewi (Ipinle Ekiti) on 7th October, 2000.
ii. Honorary Doctorate Degree in Christian Evangelism (Theology) by International
Deliverance College, and Seminary, Ibadan, Oyo State in October 25, 2023.
iii. National Member of Ekiti State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and
Agriculture on Tuesday 13th September, 2005.
iv. An Award of “God’s Vessel of Honor” by Jerusalem Church of the Lord International (Ile Ewe), London Branch on 26th July, 2009.
v. Grand Patroness of the Women and Children Dept. of Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) on 13th July, 2013.
vi. Award of Excellence by Bible Society of Nigeria for Meritorious Service on 26th July, 2014.
vii. Meritorious Award of Excellence as Exemplary Woman and Church Leader by The Redeemed Evangelical Anointed Church Inc. (Mount Zion) on the 3th September, 2015.
viii. Peace and Outstanding Religious Leadership by Eminent Builders of Modern Ekiti on 15th December, 2016.
ix. President of the Fellowship of Christian Minsters of Ado Ekiti Origin on 9th February, 2017 to December, 2026.
x. Leadership Award by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Zone Eleven, Ado Local Government on 17th June, 2017.
xi. Life Matron Ado Ekiti Tailor Association on 7th October, 2017.
xii. Patroness by EKITI FIBAN on 29th October, 2017.
xiii. Merit Award as The Most Spiritual Mother by Association of Professional Wedding & Engagement Co – ordinate of Nigeria (APWECON), Ekiti State Chapter on 25th March, 2018.
xiv. Matron, Afe Babalola Beneficiaries Worldwide by Afe Babalola Beneficiaries Worldwide (ABBW) on 12th December, 2019.
xv. Special Award as a SPIRITUAL MOTHER by Theatre Arts & Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) on 4th April, 2021
xvi. Humanitarian Award by Y’s Men International (Y’s Men Club of Lagos) on 17th April, 2021 among others.
xvii. Matron, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ekiti State Chapter on September 19, 2023.
Primate Dr. E. O. (Mrs.) Babayemi is blessed with good leadership quality and she is a very keen and passionate Evangelical Preacher who wins souls for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ through her Radio Programme.
She was the first Minister of God to commence preaching of the Gospel on the newly established Ekiti State Radio when Ekiti State was created in October, 1986 and she has since remained on the State Radio till date.
Also, Primate Babayemi had also consistently hosted Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) Annual
Father Christmas Show on the 2nd December of each year in her Church.
In August 2024, Primate Dr. (Mrs.) E. O. Babayemi, celebrated her 50years of Priesthood in Ado – Ekiti, Ekiti State with pimp and peageantry with attendance spanning religious leaders, Royal Fathers, Government functionaries and business leaders within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
In all, Primate Dr. (Mrs.) E. O. Babayemi, JP (Iya – Ewe) can be described as a Mother and Leader, full of Love, always joyful, lives in peace with everyone, tolerates others, very kind, faithful in all her dealings with God and mankind.
She is blessed with humble, honest and God fearing Children who are flourishing in her Ministry in Nigeria and Overseas.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
