The Pro Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN at the weekend called on Nigerians to invest in education at all levels for the country to remain relevant to humanity.
Olanipekun, a former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Nigeria’s highest legal body, particularly charged rich lawyers to, as a matter of urgency invest their widow’s mite in education.
The senior lawyer said this in his remarks at the opening ceremony of the auditorium built in his honour by the management of Babcock University at its Faculty of Law and Security Studies, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State. The auditorium is named Wole Olanipekun Law Auditorium (WOLA).
He said: At this juncture, may I, repeat my call to well-meaning Nigerians, even at the risk of sounding repetitive, or like a broken record, or even boring to some people, that the very essence of living is to impact life and humanity positively. In this connection, and considering our present locus, is the imperative for us to invest in education in all ramifications, right from the primary, to the secondary and up to the University or tertiary levels. Agreed, that Babcock is a private University owned by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, we must not forget the fact that this great Institution, as well as other private and public Universities in Nigeria need the benevolence of Nigerians, particularly, those who have received God’s benevolence. Let us be honest with ourselves, one does not need to be a Warren Buffett, a Bill Gates or Melinda Gates, a Chuck Feeney, a Zell Kravinsky, Dolly Parton, John D. Rockefeller, Aliko Dangote, or Mike Adenuga before he can impact meaningfully on humanity or intervene in the meteoric rise of others, without competing with the ‘money bags;
It is rather unfortunate that Nigeria is gradually losing her humanity, in the sense that we produce more of arm-chaired critics, some of who are obsessed with the ‘pull-down’ syndrome, than people who subscribe to or invest in humanity”.
Then to the lawyers, he said: “Coming specifically to our constituency, the legal profession, I state with all humility, but with every sense of responsibility that those of us who are atop the profession presently must, of necessity and urgency, descend from our Olympian heights, and disembark from our high horses. We need to humble ourselves in order to appreciate what exactly the lower stratum of the profession looks like or experiences. It is a stratum that urgently needs assistance, restructuring, reinvigorating, resuscitating, reenergizing and much encouragement;
It is mandatory for us to uplift that stratum as well as its occupants, including students in the various Faculties of Law across the country, as well as the failing and falling infrastructures they contend with. Otherwise, we might wake up in the nearest future to embrace the naked reality that we have no profession any more. Thus, our profession needs more well-meaning interventionists at providing the necessary wherewithal for the very fragile base level”.
In his remarks, the President, and Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof Ademola Tayo, the edifice donated by Olanipekun is more than just a building of blocks, bricks, pillars, poles, and mortars; “it is a beacon of knowledge, a hallowed chamber of law, a sanctuary for learning, and a hub of intellectual discourse”.
Under the efficient management of resources by Prof Tayo, the building was completed in record time of six months.
Assuring the donor that his efforts would not be in vain, Prof Tayo said further: “Beyond Babcock University, this donation advances the course of quality legal education in Nigeria. It sets a precedent for private sector support in academia and reinforces the critical role of state of the art infrastructure in shaping the next generation of legal professionals. A well-equipped learning environment produces well-equipped minds, and with this facility, Babcock University is poised to make significant contribution to legal scholarship, policy development, and Justice administration in our country”.
Olanipekun, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been at the forefront of philanthropic activities in education and the Justice system across the country. He has also invested time in the service of the Educational System. He was Pro Chancellor at the University of Ibadan, and Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo. He is the Chancellor of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Science, Technology and Education (BOUESTI).
In November 2024, He donated an Administrative Building to BUOESTI, Ikere-Ekiti, his home town. Earlier, he had made similar impacts at the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, and several other institutions.
In 2023, he donated a High Court Complex to the Ekiti State Judiciary and a Children’s Ward in memory of his mother, to the General Hospital, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He is presently a visiting Professor of Legal Practice at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Present at the event is the Akarigbo of Remo Land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, who led other Obas in Remo Land to commission the building, Erelu Omolara, Chief Olanipekun’s wife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Bishop Olusina Michael Fape, Emeritus Professor Isaac Oluwole Agbede SAN, Dr Deji Olanrewaju, President, Chartered Institute of Bankers(CIBN), Mr Roland Otaru SAN, Mr Niyi Idowu, Senior Special Adviser(Legal) to the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Debo Oladini, Senior Legal Adviser to Osun State Governor, and Mr Mustapha Ogunsakin, Publisher, Gavel International News.
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