Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has congratulated legal icon and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun( SAN) on the occasion of his 71st birthday.
The Governor described Chief Olanipekun as a leader with resounding courage, consistency and generosity of spirit who has reached the zenith of the legal profession nationally and internationally through a dint of commitment, dedication and hard work.
In a statement on Friday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, the Governor lauded the celebrant for committing the better part of his life to the service of humanity especially the support for the indigent members of the society.
The Governor hailed the legal titan who is also a former Vice President of Pan African Lawyers’ Union and currently Chairman of Nigerian Body of Benchers for his invaluable contribution to the development of his home state and his dedication and commitment to the development of Nigeria with his skills in legal scholarship and uncommon philanthrophy.
Mr Oyebanji noted that the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the old Ondo state has exhibited the ‘Omoluabi” character of typical Ekiti people very well in all spheres of human endeavours including his time as the Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Ibadan where he demonstrated his managerial skill to bring to fore a lot of development to the foremost University in Africa where he changed the operational styles by bringing his private orientation into the public sector.
He said: “Chief Wole Olanipekun is a legal leading light to this generation, a great man who has assisted many lawyers in their careers with his uncommon largeness of heart as well as thousands of indigent students who could not have gone to school or completed their education had a great opportunity through the scholarship scheme of this great man which gulps millions of naira every year.
“Chief Wole Olanipekun’s rare embodiment of courage, charisma, credibility and exemplary life are worthy of emulation. A legend of no mean stature who has done so much for his Ikere Ekiti hometown by building a multi-million naira ultramodern church for the Anglican Communion, donated computer Centres in some secondary schools and built Health Centres among his numerous philanthropic gestures.
“On behalf of my family the Government and good people of Ekiti state, I join other well- wishers to celebrate this illustrious son of the Land and honour and wish him good health and many more fruitful and impactful years”.