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Oyebanji Commends Chief Olanipekun’s Lifelong Investments in Students, Widows
Together, the Foundation and the Scholarship Scheme reach a combined total of five hundred and five (505) beneficiaries, a tangible testament to sustained compassion, deliberate strategy, and the enduring conviction that opportunity must be shared.
Photo: Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has praised legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), for his unalloyed commitment to lifting young people and vulnerable groups through his annual scholarship and empowerment programme.
Governor Oyebanji gave the commendation during the 29th edition of the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and the 6th Empowerment Programme in Ikere-Ekiti on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Governor Oyebanji emphasised that Olanipekun’s consistent support for education and human capital development stands as a shining example of true leadership.
Governor Oyebanji described the former NBA President as a rare blessing to the nation, noting that for nearly three decades, Chief Olanipekun has invested millions of naira in the academic and economic advancement of students, widows, the elderly, and young entrepreneurs across Ekiti and beyond.
The Governor explained that while many people talked about empowering the next generation, Chief Olanipekun has demonstrated unwavering practical commitment by sustaining one of Nigeria’s longest-running privately funded scholarship and empowerment initiatives.
He emphasised that through the scheme, thousands of students have been supported from secondary school to university as well as law school, while widows and aged citizens have received financial relief and business support.
• The event was graced by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye., member of House of Representatives, AVM, Rufus Ojuawo, Royal fathers, among others.
Oyebanji added that Nigeria would record a more rapid progress if more privileged citizens embrace philanthropy the way Chief Olanipekun has done, maintaining that leaders who use their influence and resources to transform lives are the ones the country urgently needs to nurture a more educated, productive, and compassionate society.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to uphold the values of hard work, gratitude, and service to others – the principles that Chief Olanipekun has consistently championed and also charged them to emulate the legal icon by giving back to their communities when they became successful in their various fields.
“I plead with all of you that when you get this support, please it is a seed sow it, this is not money that you have to use to replace your phone, or the money to buy clothes or the money to enjoy christmas and new year, no, it’s a seed that you should sow to your future and when you do that God will bless it,” said Oyebanji.
Earlier in his remarks, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), applauded Governor Oyebanji for the remarkable progress Ekiti State has recorded under his leadership.
He asserted that Ekiti people did not choose wrongly, as he noted that the governor’s humility, accessibility and passion for development have further inspired him to strengthen his annual scholarship and empowerment initiatives.
Chief Olanipekun who recalled how the empowerment programme began 29 years ago as a modest effort to support a few indigent students and widows, expressed deep satisfaction and joy that many of its beneficiaries have today become accomplished professionals, successful entrepreneurs and responsible citizens contributing meaningfully to society.
The legal icon stressed that the scholarship and empowerment scheme is not just charity, but a lifelong mission to support the dreams of young scholars and restore hope to widows, the aged and struggling families.
Today, WOF proudly sponsors four major categories of beneficiaries.
Fifty (50) elderly men and women receive targeted care and assistance under our Old People Programme.
The Youth Empowerment Initiative benefits two hundred and fifty (250) young people through skills training, start-up support and mentorship.
Fifty (50) widows are assisted with welfare, capacity building and livelihood interventions. In all, the Foundation directly serves three hundred and fifty (350) beneficiaries under these schemes.”
Together, the Foundation and the Scholarship Scheme reach a combined total of five hundred and five (505) beneficiaries, a tangible testament to sustained compassion, deliberate strategy, and the enduring conviction that opportunity must be shared.
News
Reps move to reform military laws
Abbas urged stakeholders, including serving and retired military officers, civil society organisations, gender advocates, legal practitioners and members of the public, to actively participate in the legislative process.
The House of Representatives has commenced move to reform military laws.
Speaking at a two-day public hearing organised by the House Committee on Defence in Abuja on Monday, Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, said that the proposed legislations were designed to address the country’s evolving security challenges and build a more resilient and effective military institution.
He said that the bills were in line with the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives and reflected lawmakers’ commitment to reforming the nation’s defence sector.
He added that emerging threats such as maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber warfare and the growing nexus between organised crime and terrorism had further underscored the need for comprehensive reforms.
The Speaker said among the key bills under consideration are the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme Bill, which seeks to link food security initiatives with military operations, particularly in conflict-prone agricultural communities.
Others include the Gender Representation in the Armed Forces Bill, aimed at promoting inclusiveness in military recruitment and service; the Nigerian Military Force Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the Armed Forces Act to align military administration with contemporary realities; and the Veterans’ Federation of Nigeria Bill, intended to improve the welfare of retired military personnel.
Abbas urged stakeholders, including serving and retired military officers, civil society organisations, gender advocates, legal practitioners and members of the public, to actively participate in the legislative process.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, described the hearing as a critical platform for citizens and stakeholders to contribute to shaping laws that would strengthen Nigeria’s defence and security framework.
News
FG to launch digital address system to boost national security
Tijani disclosed this at the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System Workshop in Abuja, yesterday.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has said that a nationwide digital postcode system will be launched by the Federal Government in October, with several states expected to be covered before the end of the year.
Tijani disclosed this at the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System Workshop in Abuja, yesterday.
He explained that the initiative would assign a unique digital address to every building in Nigeria, including those in rural communities, enabling security agencies, businesses and public institutions to accurately identify and locate people and properties.
The minister said the project is a critical national infrastructure designed to address Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of lacking a reliable and standardised addressing system.
He noted that the absence of accurate addresses has hampered crime investigations, emergency response services and identity verification processes, while creating opportunities for fraud.
News
FG to roll out 10,000 electric tricycles in August –Shettima
The President has approved the replication of the initiative in other parts of the country by the various regional development commissions.
• A visit by Transporters For Tinubu/Shettima 2027 at the State House
Vice President Kashim Shettima said has that the Federal Government would roll out 10,000 electric tricycles in August 2026 as part of a broader plan to ease public transportation and strengthen Nigeria’s logistics chain.
Shettima disclosed this during a visit by Transporters For Tinubu/Shettima 2027 at the State House, saying the tricycles would be distributed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for use across the North East and beyond.
He added that President Bola Tinubu had approved replicating the initiative through other regional development commissions nationwide.
The President has approved the replication of the initiative in other parts of the country by the various regional development commissions.
“This administration is determined to build a transport economy that lowers the cost of movement, reduces delays at ports, connects farms to markets, strengthens national productivity and gives transporters a more dignified place in the country’s development process,” he said.
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