By Ademola Adeleke
A legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN has said that the act of giving should not be misinterpreted for pecuniary gains.
Chief Olanipekun, who made the remarks while receiving an Honorary Doctor of Constitutional Law conferred on him by the Federal University Oye Ekiti, explained that people who give willingly should be encouraged rather than condemn their deeds.
He specifically referred to the high Court building he donated to the State Judiciary at Ikere Ekiti High Court premises, saying that some people went about badmouthing the gesture that it was for future favour.
The legal luminary expressed shock that people could have such a thought, but said that he would not be deterred from giving, because he was a man of Divine Grace.
Earlier The Senate and Management of the institution said that they recognized the contributions of Chief Olanipekun to the Academic and to the less privileged in the society.
The conferment was part of activities marking the seventh Convocation ceremony of the eleven year old institution.
The Chancellor of the institution, the Attah of Igala, Alhaji Matthew Opaluwa, in company of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Abayomi Fasina decorated Chief Olanipekun at the occasion.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Fasina, had congratulated the recipients of the Honorary Degrees, who included a former Managing Director of First bank, Mr Bisi Onasanya and a former Super Eagles Captain, Chief Segun Odegbami.
He said that the school found them worthy of the award in view of their various humanitarian and positive contributions to the society.
Professor Fashina, specifically, described Chief Olanipekun as a destiny helper who had impacted many lives and institutions through his philanthropy.
Responding on behalf of other recipients, Chief Olanipekun, who is the Chairman, Body of Benchers in Nigeria, lauded the institution for recognizing his deeds, urging other well to do Nigerians to always impact on the society through philanthropic gestures.
Chief Olanipekun promised cash gifts to the best twenty graduating law students and also expressed his readiness to offer free academic services to the faculty of law of the university.
