Olanipekun Donates Senate Building to Bamidele Olumilua University
Dignitaries from Ekiti and Ondo State gathered in the bustling town of Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, to grace the occasion of the commissioning of the magnificent edifice, the Wole Olanipekun Senate Building gifted to the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti (BOUESTI) by Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN last Thursday, November 28, 2024. Jude Igbanoi who was present at the event, reports
The legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, has left indelible footprints in different philanthropic spheres including the legal profession, education, health, Christianity and communication. Most have lost count of Chief Olanipekun’s charitable projects. But, looking back in the past few years, one can easily mention the 400-seater ultramodern lecture hall he gifted to the University of Ibadan, a state of the art High Court Building in Ikere Ekiti donated to the State’s Judiciary, a 26-bed Special Amenity Ward to the General Hospital, a fully equipped Vice Chancellor’s Lodge built and donated to the Ajayi Crowder University, Ogbomosho, a sprawling Bar Centre built and donated to the Ikere Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, and a new 20,000 sitting capacity Church building to the Anglican Church at Ikere. Thousands of students at all levels of education have benefitted from the Wole Olanipekun Foundation, indigent women and widows get empowered every year. The list is endless.
The BOUESTI Senate Building Commissioning
All roads led to Ikere-Ekiti, a serene, hilly town in Nigeria’s Ekiti State on Thursday, November 28, 2024 as personalities from all walks of life, from within and outside the State, converged on the campus of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere (BOUESTI) for the official commissioning of the ultra-modern Wole Olanipekun Senate Building by the Ekiti State Governor, HE Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
The three-storey edifice, which was donated to the University by one of Nigeria’s foremost legal luminaries, a one-time President of the NBA, and a former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN. The state-of-the-art facility is intended to serve as the administrative nucleus of the young University.
Apart from the Governor and his entourage, the event was graced by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa; a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; the Ogoga (Monarch) of Ikere Kingdom, HH Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN and his wife, Erelu (Princess) Omolara Olanipekun; the Vice Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of BOUESTI and many other dignitaries.
The formal commissioning of the facility by the Governor and a quick inspection by him, along with the Education Minister, Dr Alausa, the royal fathers and their respective entourages signalled the commencement of the day’s proceedings. They were duly impressed by the scale and beauty of the facility’s interior ambience.
The facility comprises of the following offices, among others: on the ground floor is located the University Consult; the Alumni Relations Office; the Cleaners’/Drivers’ Lounge; offices of the two Deputy Vice-Chancellors; the Meeting Room; and the CSO’s office. The first floor holds the Registry and the Registrar’s Office; three offices attached to tWhe Bursary (including the Bursar’s Office); the 150-capacity Senate Chambers; and the Senate Anteroom. On the second floor are the Vice-Chancellor’s offices; the VC’s Conference Room; office of the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council; and the 150-capacity Council Chambers. In addition, the edifice has 43 restrooms and other modern conveniences, a functioning borehole and a 6,200-litre capacity overhead water tank to service the building, as well as a number of utility and storage facilities on each floor.
Welcoming guests to the occasion after the commissioning and inspection, the University’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof Oladipo Aina paid glowing tribute to the Chancellor, Chief Olanipekun, SAN, describing his gesture as a demonstration of his unwavering commitment to the development of education in Nigeria, his belief in the transformative power of education, and his profound dedication to the welfare of his fellowmen and women. Prof Aina then went down memory lane, as he recalled the humble beginnings of BOUESTI and the remarkable strides (in academics and other areas of endeavour) it has recorded in a relatively short time.
Established on October 16, 2020, the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere is an upgrade of the Ekiti State College of Education.
In his response to Chief Olanipekun’s plea for support, the Governor vowed to commence the tarring of the 5km road on the BO
UESTI campus. He also promised to send a furniture expert from the Government to make an assessment of the furniture needs of the Senate Building, with a view to supplying the required items in the shortest possible time.
