Mother and Child Centre: Olanipekun’s Philanthropy Boosts Nigeria’s Global Profile — Ooni, Akande, Others

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Prominent Nigerians have commended a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun, for his numerous philanthropic gestures, particularly in donating a state-of-the-art hospital facility and new ICT digital centre to his country home, Ikere- Ekiti.

Leading the commendations, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adenitan Ogunwusi, described the donation as “a landmark contribution to national development,” noting that investments in healthcare remain critical to improving citizens’ welfare.

The facility, known as the New Cruse Mother and Child Maternity Complex, was officially commissioned on Tuesday and handed over to the Ekiti State Government.

Oba Ogunwusi extolled Olanipekun’s contributions to humanity and national development, describing the senior advocate as a specially created blessing to humanity.

He said there was a need for Nigerian universities and scholars to undertake extensive research on elder statesmen like Olanipekun, whose lives exemplify leadership, professionalism, and philanthropy.

The foremost monarch emphasized that such initiatives complement government efforts in addressing gaps in the health sector.

Similarly, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, praised the donor’s foresight, stating that the facility would not only provide medical services but also create employment opportunities and boost community development.

The governor described the project as ‘philanthropy at its best’, saying the NewCruse Mother and Child Complex represented the revolution Nigeria needs.

The Ondo governor praised Olanipekun and his family for the remarkable intervention in healthcare delivery, adding that the project would have a lasting impact beyond Ekiti State.

“This is philanthropy at its best, practical, targeted, and life-saving. It is the revolution that we need in Nigeria; not the revolution of slogans and armchair criticisms, but the revolution of responsibility, where the lawyer builds clinics, the trader funds schools, the engineer fixes roads, and the government becomes the enabler, not the sole actor.

“There is no gainsaying that while this facility will greatly serve Ekiti State, its benefits transcend state boundaries. Healthy communities mean stronger families, a more productive workforce, and greater regional stability,” he added.

The Ondo State governor, therefore, urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture.

In his address, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Southwest Governors, and other prominent Nigerians have showered encomium on renowned legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, for donating an ultramodern Mother and Child Maternity Complex to the State Specialist Hospital, Ikere-Ekiti, describing the gesture as a landmark contribution to healthcare delivery and nation-building.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister described the project as a symbol of compassion, patriotism, and shared responsibility towards the well-being of Nigerians, especially women and children.

Pate, represented by the Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Professor Kolawole Ogundipe, said the donation aligned with the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen maternal and child healthcare across the country.

According to him, the facility represents a significant contribution to the Federal Government’s objectives of reducing maternal and child mortality and improving access to quality healthcare services.

He commended Olanipekun for an extraordinary gesture of philanthropy, noting that the senior lawyer had consistently invested in education, healthcare, and community development through the Wole Olanipekun Foundation.

Pate also called on wealthy Nigerians, corporate organisations, and development partners to emulate the gesture by supporting healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment procurement, and community health initiatives.

“Chief Olanipekun remains a philanthropist who bestrides the Nigerian space as he has endowed numerous scholarships, donated many educational and health facilities, as well as instituted empowerment initiatives and various acts of community development through the Wole Olanipekun Foundation. This latest donation is in furtherance of what Chief Olanipekun has come to be known for.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, maternal and child health remains one of the critical priorities of this administration. Across the nation, we continue to have access to quality antenatal care, safe delivery services, and emergency obstetric strengthen healthcare delivery systems to ensure that every pregnant woman has access to care, immunization, nutrition support, and comprehensive healthcare for newborns and children.

Similarly, the Ministry has continued to track Maternal and Under-5 morbidity and mortality in BHCPF facilities nationwide to drastically reduce the incidence of these vital health indices by addressing the root causes as assessed at the facility and community level.

“This Mother and Child Complex represents a significant contribution to these national objectives. It will not only expand access to quality healthcare services but will also improve maternal and child outcomes, reduce avoidable deaths, and provide a more dignified and conducive environment for patients and healthcare workers alike”.

While commissioning the project, former Governor of Osun State and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bisi Akande, described Olanipekun as a man whose greatness transcends titles, wealth, and professional accomplishments.

Akande said the legal luminary had distinguished himself not only in the legal profession but also in service to humanity and community development.

He noted that Olanipekun had, over the years, invested in churches, libraries, educational facilities, and now healthcare infrastructure, stressing that the maternity complex would remain an enduring investment in humanity.

“Patriotism is not merely about political positions or public acclaim. It is about responsibility to humanity. It is about remembering where one comes from. It is about understanding that success becomes meaningful only when it improves the lives of others.

“This clinic is not merely a building; it is hope for the sick, dignity for the vulnerable, reassurance for families, and proof that nation-building can begin from one institution, one community, and one patriotic citizen,” Akande added.

In his remarks, Wole Olanipekun stressed the importance of sacrifice and service in leadership, saying true leadership is not about what leaders can take from society but what they can give back.

The legal icon reflected on his contributions to the political and legal development of Ikere-Ekiti and urged residents and political leaders to work collectively for the progress of the community.

Olanipekun also expressed concern over the growing apathy among community stakeholders towards collective development efforts, urging residents to become more actively involved in advancing the fortunes of Ikere-Ekiti.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, described the legal luminary as a benefactor, father figure, and one of the greatest ambassadors of Ekiti State.

Oyebanji said Olanipekun’s success had become meaningful because of the positive impact he continues to make on humanity through philanthropy and community development across Ekiti State and Nigeria.

He equally extolled the senior advocate for consistently remembering his roots and investing heavily in the development of his home state.

“Kabiyesi referred to you as an illustrious son of Ekiti. Yes, you were born here, but you belong to humanity because all over the state and all over the country, we see your footprints.

“We cannot develop Ekiti without coming home. Our people need help. God has helped us so that we can help others. If you are successful and you are not positively impacting society, then there is a question mark on such success.

“There is no way you come through Ikere that you will not see Chief’s footprints. If you come through Ado, you will see his impact. If you go to the university, you see the Senate Building. You see his donations to the Nigerian Bar Association, churches, hospitals, and other institutions all over Ekiti.

“When the fullness of time comes, and we stand before our Maker, and He asks us what we did with all the blessings He gave us, what will we say?”

Meanwhile, at the Amoye Grammar School, Olanipekun commissioned a new ICT digital centre, which he said replaced an earlier ICT facility he provided in 2007 that was partially damaged during the rehabilitation of the Akure–Ikere–Ado Road, adding that the rebuilt hub was bigger, more resilient, and fitted to global standards.

He urged Old Students’ Associations across the country to take leadership in revitalising public schools, describing such bodies as vital complements to the government in rebuilding educational infrastructure.