BY LAW IBITOYE
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has described Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as a legend, calling on well meaning Nigerans to emulate his Philantropic gesture.
The Governor noted that putting smiles on the faces of the downtrodden and helping the society by Chief Olanipekun could be likened to someone that loves God
Governor Oyebanji gave the commendation while speaking with journalists at the 28th scholarship and Empowerment programme of the legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun, held at his residence in Ikere Ekiti on Saturday.
The Governor who applauded the Asiwaju of Ikere Ekiti for giving scholarships to 3019 students across Nigeria, 250 Empowerment and 150 widows also benefitted from the scheme
According to the Governor ” What chief Olanipekun is doing in Ikere, Ekiti State, Nigeria and Globally speaks to a man that loves God. A man that wants to share his blessings with the less privileged. I commend him and his family for the support.
God will continue to bless him, we are looking up to him , he is a mentor to a lot of us, I pray God gives him a long life. I congratulate Ikere people for having someone like Chief Olanipekun . I also use this medium to call on well meaning Ekiti Indigenes to emulate the Chief and give back to society ”
Reacting to NLC directive to state chairmen to commence strike on 2nd December in states where the payment of the new minimum wage has not commenced, Governor Oyebanji assured Ekiti workers of his readiness to start the payment by December, 2024.
He attributed the delay in the payment to inability to reach agreement on the payment on time, adding that the wage was not initially budgeted in the appropriation.
The Governor said, I have signed an agreement with the Labour leaders and payment would commence by December. I just signed appropriation that accommodated the new minimum wage because payment is not automatic, you have to budget for it. We just reached an agreement two weeks ago, I know Ekiti NLC is a reasonable organization ”
On his part, Chief Wole Olanipekun attributed his Philantropic gesture to the fact that Government alone can not fix everything, saying the world will be a better place when the masses realize the fact.
While calling on Nigerians to bless people around them with their substance, he reiterated that it’s God that crowns one’s efforts and gives blessing.” There are tensions in the land, me and you can reduce the tension by putting smiles on the faces of the needy. My prayer daily when I wake up is that God should give me the grace and enablement to put smiles on the faces of those that are seriously in need”