A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has asserted that regional federalism is the long-term solution to the numerous challenges confronting Nigeria.
Olanipekun emphasized that the country needs individuals who genuinely care for its citizens to overcome the prevailing strife, crises, wickedness, and selfishness. He lamented that some Nigerians are actively sabotaging the nation and “waging war against it.”
He made these comments to journalists in Ikere Ekiti on Saturday evening, shortly after the 29th edition of the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and the sixth edition of the Wole Olanipekun Foundation Empowerment Programme.
As the principal of both initiatives, the senior advocate noted that the programs have continued to impact lives and build enduring legacies in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, and across the country.
He urged privileged Nigerians to uplift the less fortunate, stating, “Let those who have received God’s benevolence in society encourage the downtrodden; let the mighty lift up the lowly.”
He continued, “Nigeria needs humanists. Humanists are thinkers; they are kind-hearted and thoughtful. Humanists will not wage war against their country. There are people—Nigerians—waging war against Nigeria, and while we hesitate to label them, we know who they are.
“My suggestion to the government is this: we should stop pretending as if we don’t know who those working against the country’s interests are.
“You can’t engage in such actions in America and escape accountability. You can’t sabotage your country while living in it. So why are we deceiving ourselves? Why are we pretending not to know those who are waging war against this country?
“We need to start naming names. The solution is for the government to take necessary action to identify these individuals. We don’t require any external intervention.”
Olanipekun acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu inherited the current situation, expressing sympathy for him as he faces challenges not of his own making. “He should not reap what he didn’t sow. The problems have existed for a long time. We must stop pretending that they don’t exist.”
He emphasized that it is time for Nigerians to heal and forge a new path for coexistence, reiterating that regional federalism remains the only viable solution.
“What can save Nigeria today is regional federalism. Through the regions, we can achieve proper integration. I’ve been advocating for this since the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo when I served as NBA president.
“Let the regions come together and form a strong alliance. Let residual powers reside in the regions, while powers traditionally assigned to the central government are delegated to it. That has been my message, and I will continue to advocate it.
“Let there be regions that negotiate on behalf of their people. The South-East speaks a common language; the South-South shares similarities. The North-Central, North-West, and North-East also have distinct identities.
“However, in this arrangement, any group in the North-Central that wishes to align with, for instance, the South-West should be free to do so,” he stated.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, commended Olanipekun for his commitment to supporting young people and vulnerable groups through his annual scholarship and empowerment schemes.
He remarked, “For nearly three decades, Chief Olanipekun has invested millions of naira in advancing students, widows, the elderly, and young entrepreneurs across Ekiti and beyond. Nigeria would progress more rapidly if more privileged citizens embraced philanthropy as he has.”
The governor congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to uphold the values of hard work, gratitude, and service to others.
Feyi Ogoji, Chairman of the Board of the Wole Olanipekun Foundation, stated that the various empowerment initiatives aim to “bring out the best in our youth to help them realize their latent potential through annual grants and awards,” adding that widows and the elderly have also benefited significantly over the years.
For the 2025 edition, Ogoji reported that 255 students—from secondary school to university and Law School—received scholarships, while 250 beneficiaries received N75,000 each under the Youth Entrepreneurship Grant. Additionally, 100 beneficiaries received N30,000 each under the Aged and Widows Grant, along with palliatives for 1,500 individuals.
Last week, PUNCH Online reported that the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State alleged that recent terror attacks across the country were being aided by saboteurs.
Lagos APC spokesman, Seye Oladejo, stated, “Nigeria stands at a decisive historical junction—not because we are weak, but because enemies of the state, saboteurs in high places, and foreign instigators believe they can manipulate the destiny of a sovereign nation of 230 million people. They are mistaken. Their plot will fail.”
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