Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has commended legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), for his unwavering investment in young people and vulnerable groups through the Wole Olanipekun Foundation’s annual scholarship and empowerment programmes.
Speaking on Saturday at the 29th Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and 6th Empowerment Programme in Ikere-Ekiti, the Governor described chief Olanipekun as “a rare blessing to Nigeria,” noting that his nearly three-decade-long philanthropic interventions have transformed the lives of thousands across Ekiti and beyond.
Oyebanji said Chief Olanipekun’s scholarship scheme—one of Nigeria’s longest-running privately funded educational interventions—has supported beneficiaries from secondary school to university and law school, while widows, the elderly, and young entrepreneurs have received financial relief and business support.
He stressed that Nigeria would progress faster if more privileged citizens embraced philanthropy with the same consistency and sincerity displayed by Chief Olanipekun.
Congratulating the beneficiaries, the Governor urged them to uphold the values of hard work, gratitude, and community service, adding that the support they received should be seen as an investment in their future, not money to be wasted on frivolities, Urging them to extend hands of fellowship to people around them. The governor stressed that they should inculcate the habit of giving, saying they need not be rich as Chief Olanipekun before impacting lives.
On the state of security, Oyebanji assured residents that government was intensifying efforts to fortify Ekiti, revealing that he cut short his leave to personally oversee security coordination. He appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely intelligence to security agencies.
In his remarks, Chief Olanipekun praised Governor Oyebanji’s leadership, saying Ekiti people made the right choice in electing him. He recalled that the scholarship scheme began 29 years ago as a modest effort but has grown into a life-changing mission.
He disclosed that the Wole Olanipekun Foundation currently supports 505 beneficiaries across categories:
50 elderly persons under the Old People Programme
250 youths through empowerment, skills development and start-up support
50 widows through welfare and livelihood assistance
155 students under the scholarship schemeOlanipekun emphasised that true generosity lies in consistency and sacrifice, urging Nigerians to “give while you live, that others might live because you gave.”
Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado , Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, House of Representatives member AVM Rufus Ojuawo (rtd.), Otunba ( Dr) Olutoye Ariyo, KS chairman of the occasion, other traditional rulers academia among others.