BU: Akarigbo advocates partnership for growth of nation’s institutions

By Chinyere Anyanwu

The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adewale Ajayi, has tasked well-meaning Nigerians to join forces and pool resources to promote the growth of the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Oba Ajayi made the call during the inauguration/unveiling of the Wole Olanipekun Law Auditorium at the Iperu Campus of Babcock University (BU), Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

The Law Auditorium was donated to the Law Faculty of Babcock University by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, a renowned legal luminary, as his contribution to the advancement of the course in the institution.

Speaking during the ceremony, the royal father, a PhD holder, eulogised Olanipekun for his immense contributions to the growth of learning, especially the legal profession.

Dr. Ajayi said, “Wole Olanipekun is somebody I respect so much and beyond that is his attitude to life and, more importantly, his integrity and honesty. He’s a very straightforward person. I want to thank you for your commitment and sacrifices toward the betterment of humanity.”

He described Olanipekun’s kind gesture as an act that well-meaning Nigerians should emulate, stating that, “the government cannot do it all. We should come together and ensure that we grow our institutions.”

The royal father commended the BU vice-chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo, for his forthrightness, noting, “He’s leaving this school far better than he met it. And this is a lesson to Nigeria and Nigerians.” He said the VC has demonstrated integrity, ability and plainness of heart, stating, “I’m awed by what he has achieved. The legacy you have left behind in Babcock and Remoland will speak for you.”

He urged the students to make judicious use of the facility as it is for their benefit and that of upcoming generations.

The donor of the BU Law Auditorium, Olanipekun, in his speech, lauded the VC and his management team for their meticulous deployment of “very minimal financial resources” in the construction of the auditorium, a pointer to their prudence, fidelity and fear of God.

He seized the opportunity to call on well-meaning Nigerians “to invest in education in all ramifications, from the primary to the secondary and to tertiary levels.”

He prayed that the auditorium would inspire the students to learn and strive for excellence in all their endeavours.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Tayo, expressed gratitude to Olanipekun for the auditorium, saying, “it will serve as a dynamic space for lectures, symposia, moot court sessions and legal debates, thus fostering a deeper understanding of the law and refining the advocacy skills of our future legal luminaries.”

He added: “Beyond Babcock University, this donation advances the course of quality legal education in Nigeria. It sets a precedent for private sector support in academia and reinforces the critical role of state-of-the-art structure in shaping the next generation of legal professionals.”