Nigeria needs more leaders like Olanipekun, says Gov. Oyebanji

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has hailed legal icon Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for his sustained commitment to empowering students, widows and other vulnerable groups through his annual scholarship and support programmes.

The Governor, who spoke at the 29th Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and 6th Empowerment Programme in Ikere-Ekiti on Saturday, described the former NBA President as a rare gift to the country.

He said Chief Olanipekun had, for nearly three decades, invested heavily in education and human capital development, noting that his generosity had lifted thousands of young people from secondary school to university and law school.

Oyebanji stressed that Nigeria would make faster progress if more privileged citizens followed Chief Olanipekun’s example, adding that true leaders are those who use their influence to uplift the less privileged.

Congratulating the beneficiaries, the Governor urged them to uphold the values of compassion and service and also referenced the legal icon’s speech, saying, “I read through the speech of Chief Olanipekun, and from the beginning to the end, Chief was talking about compassion, sympathy and giving…”

He also reassured residents of the government’s commitment to security, explaining that he cut short his leave to personally monitor the state’s security architecture, adding, “There’s no cause for alarm, but I appeal to you, let’s be vigilant…”

Earlier, Chief Olanipekun praised the governor’s leadership and recalled how the scholarship and empowerment scheme began 29 years ago. He reaffirmed that the initiative remains a lifelong mission, saying, “True generosity demands courage. It asks that we part with comfort and embrace inconvenience…”