By Abiodun Nejo
Legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, on Saturday inaugurated a multi-million naira conference hall donated to the palace of the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, by Igbekeleoluwa Foundation.
Olanipekun, the Asiwaju of Ikere Kingdom, expressed satisfaction with the contributions of indigenes to the development of the community. He urged all well-meaning sons and daughters to join a progressive movement being formed in the town to elevate the town to a higher pedestal.
The former Nigerian Bar Association president spoke at the event, at which the Igbekeleoluwa Foundation also awarded scholarship awards to 50 undergraduates, 10 secondary school students, and 20 primary school pupils and gave financial grants to 30 small-scale traders from Ikere Ekiti to boost their businesses.
He took pride in the foundation’s founder, Ayodele Igbekele, who he described as a “worthy son”, for the gesture to the community, adding, “It is so kind of him thinking in terms of giving scholarship to our children, empowerment to our sons and daughters and some of our women out of what God had endowed him.
“I am filled with tears of joy that we are witnessing the good of the community. There is still a better time ahead. We will have more worthy sons.
“I am appealing to all Ikere sons and daughters that there is a movement in town now and everybody must join the train, not talking of political movement, but a progressive movement. We are talking of a dynamic movement.
“We are talking of a movement that has a vision, that has a mission, that has a destination situating Ikere on a higher ground and looking at tomorrow that will be so beneficial to our children that even our forefathers, the founders of this town, will be so proud of us”.
The senior advocate, who called for unity among all sections of the community, advised the younger ones, “Look, you need to make a decision about what you want to make out of life. So, why are you running after politicians? Why do you want to take peanuts? Hard work pays”.
The foundation’s founder, Ayodele Igbekele, said that the event, which was the fifth in the series, had the goal of “putting smiles on the faces of our people. The need to help one another cannot be overemphasised”.
He said, “Today’s event is a reminder of what can be achieved when compassion meets commitment. Today is a celebration of five solid years of unwavering dedication to restoring hope to hopeless situations.
“I find fulfilment also in this occasion, not only because the beneficiaries will remember Igbekeleoluwa Foundation for good, but that history will be kind to us for championing a better and sustainable future for our people”.
Looking back at the foundation’s kind gestures in the last five years, Igbekele said, “Our interventions have reached across primary schools, secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and local markets.
“We have empowered girls, supported persons living with disabilities, invested in vocational training, and provided critical financial assistance. Many of our beneficiaries are now graduates, some already working, others are still in school, but they carry with them the torch of promise”.
He hinted that in the spirit of legacy and mentorship, “our next big dream is to build a community public library in Ikere Ekiti in honour of Asiwaju Wole Olanipekun SAN, a man whose generosity and guidance continue to inspire us all”.
Igbekele, who rejoiced with the beneficiaries and advised them to “prove that the seeds planted in them today will yield positive fruits for your communities, our dear state and our nation”, also encouraged them and other indigenes, “The future us bright, but do not cut it short by involving in evil acts like cultism, Yahoo Yahoo, drug abuse etc.”
The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, who expressed happiness at the developments in the kingdom, cautioned Ikere Ekiti people against conspiracy and social vices
Oba Adu-Alagbado, who lauded Igbekele for the conference centre and other philanthropic gestures to students and traders, said, “I am grateful to God and I am grateful to him. I pray that God Almighty will continue to bless him. We really appreciate him. This (conference hall) is part of the beautification of this palace. I am happy.”
The monarch advised beneficiaries of the scholarship awards and financial support to utilize it to better their lives, to ensure development for them, for others, Ikere Ekiti, and humanity
Dignitaries at the event included Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, represented by Victor Adeniyi; the Eyeshorun of Ikere, Olori Funmilola Adejimi Adu-Alagbado; Otunba Sola Adewumi, who chaired the event; the Managing Director, Ricabim Ltd, Bimbo Ogundipe; and the Ogoga-in-Council.
They also included the Chairman, Ikere Local Government, Adamolekun Egbejoda; the Chairman, Ikere West Local Council Development Area, Rufus Olorunfemi; the Vice Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, Prof Victor Adeoluwa, and the VC, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Babatola Ayodele, represented by EKSU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Williams Adebayo.
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