Sola POPOOLA
Legal icon ,Chief Wole Olanipekun has admonished the beneficiaries of his twin humanitarian projects to always ready to share part of what they have received with the downtrodden .
The Asiwaju of Ikere kingdom gave this admonition at the 2024 edition of the annual Wole Olanipekun Scholarship and empowerment programmes in Ikere-Ekiti.
The elderstatesman disclosed that no fewer that 4,219 Nigerians of varied background, have so far benefited from the schemes. which began in the year 1996.
Speaking at the 28th Scholarship Award Scheme, and 5th Empowerment Programme ,Olanipekun said the essence of Foundations the world over is to equip the otherwise downtrodden of today to become great soldiers, ambassadors and evangelists of hope, peace, charity, love, kindness and service to humanity against tomorrow.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that nothing stops the widows and the aged from sharing part of what they have received with others.
Giving a breakdown, the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme, (WOSS), founded since 1996, alone, had produced a total of 3,019 beneficiaries .
He said the figure, included successful professionals, who are now of diverse grades doing well in their areas of specialisation in the country today, while for this year alone, the scholarship arrangement ,covers 150 beneficiaries, and had been extended to some students, who needed urgent and critical attention, as at the time.
He said, as for the Wole Olanipekun Foundation, (WOF), Empowerment Programme, which commenced five years ago, a total of 200 widows, 200 aged people, and 400 young entrepreneurs had so far been attended to, making a total of 800 persons, while for this year alone, 50 widows, 50 aged people, and 150 young entrepreneurs also benefited.
He said “since its inception in 1996, the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme (WOSS), has produced over 3,019 beneficiaries. This figure includes successful professionals of diverse grades. This year, the scholarship covers 150 beneficiaries, and has been extended to some students who deserve critical and urgent attention, in and outside Nigeria.
“As for the Wole Olanipekun Foundation (WOF) Empowerment Programme which commenced five years ago, it is exciting to note that it has been making significant strides and supporting various groups within the Ikere metropolis and beyond. During this period, over 200 widows, 200 aged people, and 400 young entrepreneurs. This brought the total number of beneficiaries to 800. This year, the Empowerment Programme will be supporting additional 50 widows, 50 aged people, and 150 young entrepreneurs. Henceforth, the interventions of the Foundation would be on a regular basis and will cover more areas of human endeavor.
“To the beneficiaries of our humble gesture of today, in whatever form, whether under the Scholarship Scheme or Empowerment Programme, or even any recipient of the palliatives, my admonition stems from the theme of this address: “Go, and do thou likewise”.
“Take a cue from the amazing stories of the Good Samaritan, Professor Peter Olufemi Adeniyi, Dr. Ruth Gottesman, Gbenga Agbomoagan, the General Manager of the Hotel in Ibadan, and several others who have benefited through the Schemes, but who have not buried their talents; rather, they have been espousing the benevolence extended to them by our humble selves, giving glory to God for same, and impacting meaningfully on humanity. Nothing stops the widows and the aged from sharing part of what they have received today!
“The essence of Foundations the world over is to equip the otherwise downtrodden of today to become great soldiers, ambassadors and evangelists of hope, peace, charity, love, kindness and service to humanity against tomorrow.” Olanipekun said
He said he drew his inspiration for such gestures, on the fact that he once tasted poverty, and knew how it pinched, saying the best way to give back to the society, was to bail out those in dire need.
While admonishing the various beneficiaries to continually make judicious use of whatever was allocated to them, Olanipekun also charged them, and other advantaged Nigerians to emulate his kind of attitude to life, as government alone can not shoulder all responsibilities
He thanked Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, for creating an enabling environment that had made it easy, and less stressful for private partners, in joining his administration, to lift the state, in all areas of human life.
Speaking, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, commended the public spirited gestures of Olanipekun, who he described as an outstanding, and distinguished leader of the kingdom.
The traditional ruler, used the occasion to call on young men and women of the community, emulate Olanipekun, by shunning the irresponsible ideals of lazy, and get-rich-syndrom, like yahoo, yahoo, and rather face the realities of life, which he said, can only be enduring in hard work, and perseverance.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. SS Omoyeni, the Chairman, Board of trustees of Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme, thanked the sponsor, Olanipekun, for his interest and support for the education of brilliant, but indigent students of diverse backgrounds.
He said the scholarship, covers three areas, including those in secondary education level, university undergraduates, and Law School candidates.
While appreciating Olanipekun for supporting his administration’s education and employment drive, governor Oyebanji, who was physically present on the occasion, commended his spirit of patriotism, and admonished him on the need to continually sustain the two programmes.
The governor also called on other well-meaning Ekiti indigens to emulate the selfless service, which Olanipekun had exemplified, for Ekiti to move forward..