BY LAW IBITOYE
Ekiti State governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has described Chief Wole Olanipekun as a blessing not only to Ikere and Nigeria but humanity. Adding that the duo of Chief Wole Olanipekun and Aare Afe Babalola are pillars of support to the state.
The governor disclosed this during the commissioning of a magnificent Senate Building donated to Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology,Ikere-Ekiti (BUOESTI) by the legal icon, Wole Olanipekun on Thursday. The governor stressed that every local government in the state is praying to have the likes of the two great lawyers and Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN)
The governor said the Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Asiwaju of Ikere-kingdom remains a pillar of support to the State.
” I will continue to say this with apology to nobody that Chief Wole Olanipekun and Aare Afe Babalola are two great philanthropists ever produced in Ekiti .If each Local Government in Ekiti State can have one of these great men ,our problems would have been solved. I have never seen an individual who is committed to given freely back to the society like these two great men .We shall continue to celebrate and pray for you at all times .
“The infrastructure donation is a proving example of Chief Omolayo who donated the first Senate building of the Ekiti State University, (EKSU) and Aare Afe Babalola,( SAN) who donated the administrative block at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, in following their footsteps, I also made donation to General Hospital, Aramoko, where I was born, in honor of the memory of my mum . We all need to give back to our community for the better Ekiti of our dream
“There is no doubt that developing Ekiti is not of the the government alone , as individuals, we can use to pick something of interest in our community and make a significant impact in the life of our people.
“As government, our administration understands the importance of education in the overall development of Ekiti state. Indeed, human capital development is one of the critical items in our shared prosperity agenda as encapsulated in our six pillars of our administration.
Our government remains committed to the continueous improvement of education infrastructure to facilitate conducive learning environment at all levels of education.
In his speech , the minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa Olanipekun’s act of philanthropy goes beyond the physical structure we see today.
According to him ,Olanipekun’s had sowed seeds of inspiration, reminding us all that no contribution is too great when it comes to the cause of education.
The minister therefore called on other well-meaning Nigerians, individuals, and organizations, to emulate the uncommon gesture of Chief Olanipekun.
“Our society thrives when we come together to invest in our collective wellbeing and empower future generations. Indeed, let this moment serve as a clarion call for all to support our educational institutions and ensure our youth have the best opportunities to excel. We are blessed to have a vibrant youth population that we must as a nation educate to become better ctizens and contribute to grow our economy” the minister said
Speaking ,the highly elated Chief Olanipekun said the building was in fulfilment of his promise to the institution .
Olanipekun, who is the pro-chancellor of BOUESTI recalled how the then governor of Ekiti State ,Dr Kayode Fayemi persuaded him to accept the offer to be the Chairman of the newly established State University of Science and Technology.
“On Monday, 5th February, 2021, I received a call from the then Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON. After the exchange of pleasantries, he said: “Sir, I will want you to do me a favour, and I will appreciate it if you do not reject my plea”. My spontaneous response was, ‘As usual, Mr. Governor, I am prepared to do any favour for you, provided it is not illegal’. Even over the phone, I could sense the Governor breathe a sigh of relief. He continued,
“Sir, in view of your vast experience in University administration over the years, particularly at the University of Ibadan and Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, I am pleading that you accept to serve as the pioneer Chancellor of the newly established State University in Ikere. In making this plea, we are convinced that it is you who would bring a lot of benefits and advantages to the University, and not the other way round. I am also not unaware that the position of Chancellor is an honorary and ceremonial one, but the fact remains that we need to leverage your name and reputation to advance the University.”
Almost without allowing the Governor to exhaust his remarkable lines of appeal, or by way of polite and decent interjection, I accepted the offer and informed His Excellency that I would do anything, to enhance education, both in my nativity ― Ikere, and anywhere in Nigeria. The Governor concluded the discussion by saying, “Thank you, Sir. I am relieved; I was under a bit of trepidation before calling you; but having extracted this good news from you, do I have your permission to officially make the appointment public?” I retorted that he was free to go ahead. Thereafter, almost immediately, my name was announced as the pioneer Chancellor of the University and the news was disseminated through print, electronic and social media.
Olanipekun said the facilities in the edifice are substantially modern by all standards and ramifications.
“The executive summary of what the building contains are as follows: On the Ground Floor, we have the Reception, Security/Check-in Office, University Consult Office, Alumni Relations Office, Cleaners/Drivers’ Lounge, the two Deputy Vice-Chancellors’ Offices, Meeting Room, CSO’s Office, Janitors’ Unit, Changing Room, Utility and Storage Facilities, and four other offices.
On the First Floor are the Registrar’s Office as well as the Registry, three Offices for the Bursary, including the Bursar’s Office, the Senate Chambers (150-Capacity), the Senate Ante Room, and Utility and Storage Facilities.
The Second Floor houses the Vice-Chancellor’s Offices (two in number), the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, Office of the Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor, Chairman of the Governing Council’s Office, Secretary to the governing council