Renowned legal figure Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has appealed to affluent Nigerians to extend their support to the less privileged majority for the greater good of humanity and peace.
Expressing concern over the reported 70% of Nigerians grappling with poverty and lack of direction, Olanipekun stressed the importance of reaching out to these individuals at their points of need.
He emphasized that extending kindness towards them could significantly improve their lives and play a substantial role in alleviating issues related to displaced frustration and aggression.
He said that the noise, anger and distress of the hungry people would not let those who are okay be at peace, adding, “There is transferred aggression by the common people in Nigeria against people who feel they are okay and that is what the country has to address. We have to address it.
“In a situation where we have almost 70 percent of rudderless people, who are poverty-stricken, another 20 per cent out of the remaining 30 per cent are losing their jobs, a fragment of 10 percent who think they are okay cannot be okay. That is why we have to show sympathy and we have to lift people,” he said.
The senior advocate, spoke at Ikere Ekiti, his hometown, on Saturday during the 27th Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme, 4th Empowerment Programme of Wole Olanipekun Foundation and distribution of palliatives.
The foundation, at the event graced by the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, gave out scholarships to 250 students comprising secondary schools and university/law school students, youth empowerment to 100 beneficiaries, 100 aged and widows grants and palliatives to 600 beneficiaries.
It has over the years, given scholarships to over 2,500 students, while 400 youth entrepreneurs and 400 widows and aged had as well benefitted in addition to 600 palliatives beneficiaries.
While harping on the need to add value to humanity, Olanipekun said, “We have a lot of people in this country today that are hungry, a lot of people that are thirsty, a lot of people that are naked, a lot of people that are poverty-stricken.”
He added that there were also “a lot of people that are aimless, a lot of people that are roaming the streets, a lot of people that are jobless, a lot of people that cannot make ends meet and a lot of people looking at their last meal”
The senior advocate said that the essence of the programme was “to add value to humanity. That is the essence of living. We have to help ourselves. One thing that tickles me about life is that it is always good to impact meaningfully positively on lives, humanity, on your fellow human beings”.
The Senate Leader, Bamidele, who chaired the occasion, lauded Olanipekun for his dedication to his community and Ekiti State, describing him as “a celebrated citizen of Nigeria and a hero of Nigeria with a good heart and strength of character”.
Bamidele noted that Olanipekun’s integrity and consistency as a role model have brought different personalities to him at all times.
Governor Oyebanji, described Olanipekun, as a very hard-working man, ready to share what humanity has blessed him with others.
