Following the state of Nigeria’s Economy, the Founder and Chairman of Wole Olanipekun Foundation, WOF, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has called for an empowerment scheme to take more youths out of poverty just as he gave support to 1050 youths and venerable persons.
The Ekiti born philanthropist and lawyer affirmed that people now transfer aggression due to the current hardship.
Speaking with newsmen during the commemoration ceremony of the 2023 Edition of the Initiative, Olanipekun stressed the need for government, individuals and corporate bodies to empower more youths and make them self reliant.
According to him, the essence of humanity is to add value to lives, adding that, there are lots of hungry people who have been affected by the economic downturn, as such, called for more collaborations from well meaning Nigerians.
He said, “We have alot of people that are hungry, thirsty, poverty stricken in the society. We have to lift up souls. The essence of today is, how do we add value to humanity.
“There are transferred aggression against people like you and I in the nation and that Is what we need to address. In a situation where we have almost 50 percent of people who are stricken poor another 20 percent are loosing their jobs are the remaining 30 percent are saying they are OK, no they cannot be OK. We have to lift up people, I came from this environment and I will try to lift people up to help lift them up for them to be lifted up. It takes grace to give, it takes grace to recognise people that are in need.”
Earlier, Olanipekun while delivering his speech at the Programme, revealed the provisions for the empowerment, said, “This year’s event comes with another pleasant twist and flavor with the addition of 600 palate beneficiaries to the normal annual beneficiaries viz.
“Annual Scholarships through Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme (WOSS) – 250 Students ranging from Secondary schools to University/Law School education levels.
“Annual Empowerment Grants through Wole Olanipekun Foundation (WOF} 1) Youth Entrepreneurship Grant of N50,000 each to 100 beneficiaries. Aged and Widows Grant of N30,000 each to 100 beneficiaries. Palliatives to 600 beneficiaries.”
More so, stating the aim of the empowerment, Olanipekun said that, the primary aim of the empowerment initiative is to help youth realise their potential through self-awareness, giving hope to the aged and propagating good life through grants.
He said, “The various empowerment initiatives aimed at bringing the best out of our youths to realize their la potential through the various annual grants and awards have not only galvanized the beneficiaries over the years to channel their energies productively by adding values to themselves and the society, but they also have is extension been adding values to others, and living lives meaningfully. While the Aged and Widows have been given hope and a good lease of life through the annual grants too.”
Speaking on the beneficiaries he said, ” The beneficiaries Empowerment cut across the 11 Wards, religious Institutions and Trade Associations in Ikere annually with painstaking screening due diligence and without bias or any influence by the promoter. The beneficiaries do not need to know anybody to benefit. Knowing anybody does not guarantee the criteria.”
Meanwhile, the Senate Majority Leader,
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele while speaking with newsmen, commended the Initiative, saying that, he is glad to be part of the process.
He said, “Today’s event is the confirmation of a true and age-long philosophy that no ‘man owns himself to himself alone’. Every man owns himself probably to his immediate family, community or society and that is what Chief Wole Olanipekun has demonstrated today. I am glad to be a part of it as it is a call for all of us to give back to society.”