* FG, Oyebanji laud Olanipekun for philanthropy
By John Odunayo
It was celebration on Thursday as a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN,) donated a multi-million naira two-storey Senate Building to Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti.
Olanipekun, who is the chancellor of the state government-owned university, said the donation and handing over of the edifice was fulfilment of his promise to support the institution in his hometown with it “in realization of the central role a Senate Building plays in any university”.
The philanthropist, who spoke at Ikere Ekiti during the inauguration and handover of the facility to BOUESTI, said, “I was always reminding myself that I owe Governor Oyebanji a duty to present this edifice to him as soon as possible as a mark of my respect, fidelity, honour, cooperation and synergy with this respected, respectable, remarkable, level headed, humble and dynamic Sheriff”.
The senior advocate told the governor that he had done a project in a school to honour his (Olanipekun) dad, another one in a hospital to honour his mother, adding that another hospital project would be completed to honour his wife before the end of Oyebanji’s first term in office
Olanipekun said that the two-storey Senate Building had facilities such as two Deputy Vice Chancellor’s office, 150-capacity Senate Chambers, Registrar’s Office, Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, office of the Governing Council Chairman, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, 43 restrooms and other modern conveniences, among others.
He appealed to the state governor “to urgently look into the affairs of this university by extending the necessary and anticipated wherewithal from government to it”.
The legal luminary appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, Ekiti State people and Ikere Ekiti indigenes to support BOUESTI by contributing meaningfully to its sustenance.
Ekiti State Governor, Oyebanji, who said the event was significant to the development of the university and overall growth of education in the state, lauded Olanipekun for the completion of the edifice, saying, “This is a very remarkable contribution”.
Oyebanji, who described Olanipekun as a man who found satisfaction in giving back to society, called on Ekiti people across the 16 local government areas to take a cue from the humanitarian gestures which were the hallmarks of Olanipekun and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola.
The governor said, “Our government remains committed to the continuous improvement of education infrastructure to facilitate conducive learning environment at all levels of education.
“The demonstration of our commitment can be seen in the improvements in our primary and secondary schools infrastructure”.
The governor, who said that work on construction of five-kilometre road in BOUESTI would begin any moment from now, lauded the university governing council and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Adeoluwa-led management “for the great work they are doing.
“I am impressed by the soaring profile of the young university and the emerging culture of a stable academic calendar, harmonious industrial relationship and development,” the governor said.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who was guest of honour on the occasion, said that the Senate Building “with its promise of enhanced academic administration and capacity stands as a beacon of Chief Olanipekun’s unwavering commitment to the upliftment of education.
Alausa said, “On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and the government of our dear president, Bola Tinubu, I offer my deepest respect to Chief Olanipekun for the uncommon exemplary gesture”.
The minister said that the Senate Building would “facilitate efficient governance, support academic research and contribute to the excellence that BOUESTI is known for”.
BOUESTI Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo Aina, said that the Senate Building was “testament to Olanipekun’s unwavering commitment to the growth of education in Nigeria and his profound dedication to humanity”.
Aina, who lauded the development of the young university, said, “BOUESTI has achieved remarkable progress in just four years. The university offers 78 academic programmes including unique disciplines such as Clothing and Textiles, Procurement Management and Nigeria’s pioneering Fashion Design Programme.
“With over 13,000 students including pioneer students nearing the completion of an efficient three-and-a-half-year cycle, BOUESTI is becoming a beacon of innovation and excellence,” the Pro-chancellor said.
Dignitaries at the event included former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado; the Chairman of Pro-chancellor, Lanre Tejuosho; Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; Ekiti State Ekiti State Attorney General, Dayo Apata; and the Chairman, Ekiti State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Kayode Babade.
