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Ex-Nigerian Bar Association chair, Wole Olanipekun
Ex-president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wole Olanipekun, on Friday, said that Nigeria has too many armchair critics who will rather be busy criticising and blaming the government while failing to look around and see what they could also do to change the narrative or add values to their immediate environment.
Olanipekun equally said that things will begin to look good for the country if Nigerians at all levels will shun greed, embrace selflessness, and recommit themselves to supporting the cause of humanity tailored towards making life a lot better for the people.
The legal luminary disclosed this at the unveiling of the multimillion naira Wole Olanipekun Law Auditorium donated to Babcock University, Ilisan Remo.
Dignitaries at the occasion included the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarin, the CIBN President, Prof Pius Olanrewaju, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ogun State, Mr Sina Ogungbade, SAN among others.
Olanipekun said that it is high time Nigerians began to look at how they can support the government in rebuilding the collapsing infrastructure and do away with horrible attitudes of grabbing everything that comes their way as if they will live forever.
He said “Nigeria has so many armchair critics, people who only talk and talk, theirs is hear what I say not do what I do. Yes, we have to criticise, we have to commend but we can take further action.
“I am not from Ilisan Remo in Ogun State before donating this for the university but I am mindful of what the history will say about me.
“So generally, as Nigerians all these attitudes of grabbing and stealing what we don’t even need or can’t even spend in our lifetime does not make sense, we must do away with all of these terrible attitudes”.
Olanipekun revealed that people should learn that they will not be remembered for the depth of their wealth but for the impact left behind long after they had exited this world and should therefore prioritise supporting humanity above other world inanities.
Giving the background to the donation, the former NBA Chairman said that after being honoured with an Honourary Doctorate Degree from the university in 2024, he had dropped a token which he instructed should be used to buy books for the law library of the institution.
He said that the management of the university however pleaded with him to let them use the donation to build the auditorium for the use of the students.
Olanipekun said that he had queried how the university would be able to achieve this lofty dream given the size of his token gift but the institution through prudent management of resources brought the dream to reality.
Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Ademola Tayo hailed the legal luminary for his legendary act of philanthropy and invaluable contributions towards promoting the cause of justice in the nation.
Tayo said, “that the monumental edifice is more than just a building of blocks, bricks, pillars, poles, and mortars: it is a beacon of knowledge, a hallowed chamber of law, a sanctuary for learning, and a hub for intellectual discourse.
“The value of this iconic structure to the university is unparalleled. It will enhance our academic landscape; strengthen our reputation as a centre for legal excellence, and a world-class facility that will benefit generations to come”.
The vice-chancellor said that the School of Law and Security Studies which started from a humble beginning of 25 students in 2003 now has about 500 students across all levels while the products of the school have continued to excel both at home and abroad.
Tayo while hailing the remarkable generousity of Olanipekun urged other Nigerians to partner with the university even as it remained committed to pursuing academic brilliance and moulding lives that will further transform the world into a better place.
