Why We Have Chosen To Honour Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, OFR — Mai Akande Esq., Chairman NBA Ilorin Branch

Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, College of Law, Kwara State University, Malete and Faculty of Law, Al-Hikmah University, have chosen to honour Chief Olanipekun with a book launch.

The book launch is in recognition of Chief Olanipekun as a Philanthropist and a Legal Icon, for his immense contributions to the jurisprudence of the Nigerian Legal System.

The title of the book is: “CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN NIGERIAN LAW, SECURITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE: ESSAYS IN HONOUR OF CHIEF WOLE OLANIPEKUN SAN, OFR”

He was the 6th Chairman of NBA Ilorin Branch and 20th President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

The Branch Chairman, M.A.I. Akande Esq.; in his statement made available to TheNigerialawyer, he said Chief Olanipekun SAN who is today a legal colossus started his legal practice in the ancient city of Ilorin as an NYSC Corp member and later became Senior Advocate still in Ilorin Branch.

He, therefore, described Chief Olanipekun as a worthy Ambassador of Ilorin Branch. Chief Olanipekun relocated to Lagos Branch, but notwithstanding that, he did not forget the Branch that made him.

He said Chief Olanipekun holds Ilorin Branch with high esteem and has been greatly supportive to the Ilorin bar financially.

“He donated millions of naira for the procurement of cars to the young lawyers in the Ilorin Bar, few years back.

“Olanipekun’s love for Ilorin Branch is uncommon and commendable, and it’s one worthy of emulation by other senior lawyers, made by the Ilorin Branch.

“Till date, Chief Olanipekun ensures that his sons who were born in Ilorin and now Senior Advocates of Nigeria pay their Annual Bar Practicing Fees to the Ilorin Branch, Akande added.

He described Chief Olanipekun as a detribalized Nigerian with high sense of religious tolerance, for retaining his Muslim clerk of over 30 years, whom he even sponsored on the Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Akande further said the 544 pages book, which is divided into 3 parts with 20 chapters and 20 articles was found to be worthy of publication after painstaking review and scrutiny by reviewers who are majorly Professors of law with the foreword written by CHIEF AKIN OLUJINMI SAN, CON.

“The book is not only rich for the academia and practitioners but also serves as a documentary of historic events in the life of Chief Olanipekun, with write up from his former junior in his Law Office written by Dayo Akinlaja SAN. Comments from his college mate by Prof. Isaac F. Adewole (Professor of Medicine and Former Minister of Health) and also comments from his family written by Dr. Dapo Olanipekun SAN.

“The centre pages of the book features memorable photographs of the honouree including pictures of his wedding (of over 40yrs), early years of legal practice, investiture as SAN at the Supreme Court, Lagos, photograph of Bar events as NBA Ilorin Chairman and President of the Nigerian Bar,” he said.

The book was edited by Dr. Y.D.U HAMBALI, DR. (MRS.) BIOLA ADIMULA and DR. HANNAFI HAMMED.

The Branch Chairman further said that all is set for the Official presentation/launching of the Book with the constitution of the Book Launch Committee, under the leadership of REV. JOHN OLUSHOLA BAIYESHEA SAN, while the Book Reviewer is PROF. FESTUS EMIRI (former DDG, Yenagoa Campus, Nigerian Law School).

The Ilorin  Bar hereby invite the Nigerian lawyers and academia to the formal presentation/launching of the book as scheduled below:-

DATE:- THURSDAY, 19TH MARCH, 2020
VENUE:- KWARA HOTELS, AHMADU BELLO WAY, GRA, ILORIN
TIME:- 12NOON