Insecurity: Nigeria Doesn’t Need External Intervention – Olanipekun

Legal icon Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has advised Nigerians to look inward to tackle the nation’s security and other challenges.

Chief Olanipekun, who posited that the country does not need external intervention to solve its problems, pointed out that it is Nigerians who are waging war against Nigeria.

He spoke in his hometown of Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, while addressing newsmen at the end of the 29th edition of his Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and the 6th edition of his Wole Olanipekun Foundation empowerment program.

At the event, 3,274 students were given scholarships, 800 youths benefited from the foundation’s entrepreneurship scheme, 600 widows and/or the aged received support, and 2,700 others received palliatives and empowerment from the foundation.

The philanthropist said he is bankrolling the annual programme to thank God for what He has done for him and to make a meaningful impact on other people, especially the indigent.

The senior lawyer, who told Nigerians to stop pretending not to know those working against the country’s interest, said the only way out for Nigeria remains regional federalism, a position he has been advocating for.

According to him, “For the past years, I have been preaching about how we can strengthen Nigeria. The way out is for the government to take the necessary steps, to name the names.  We don’t need any external intervention.  My idea and suggestion regarding this is to stop pretending as if we don’t know those who are behind it.

If we know them, why can’t we expose them? That is the essence of being a nation. You cannot do it in America and get away with it. Why pretend as if we don’t know those who are waging war against this country? So, why aren’t we naming names?

Lamenting the worsening insecurity in the country, Olanipekun said, “Why this wickedness of man to man?  Why should people go and kill? Why should people go and kidnap? Why should I not keep to my faith, and why should I want to force people to my own faith?  Why should I kill because of religion?  Why this internal disharmony within our country?  Why are people from outside trying to intervene now?  Why do people hate their country?  Why are people disloyal to their country? Why are there internal distractions, disharmony and distrust?

To get over the problems, he added, “We must stop this inhumanity of man to man, we must try to love ourselves, we must try to be kind, we must try to appreciate the fact that one day  we’ll die, whether you are an abductor, whether you are a killer, whatever, we will  all die one day”

In his address, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, praised Chief Olanipekun for his unalloyed commitment to uplifting young people and vulnerable groups through his annual scholarship and empowerment programme, saying that consistent support for education and human capital development stands as a shining example of authentic leadership.