In a heartwarming tribute that blends personal reverence with public impact, Mr. Bode Olanipekun SAN has donated a state-of-the-art physiotherapy centre to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in honour of his father, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN , the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The two-storey Wole Olanipekun Physiotherapy Centre (WOPC) was built and fully equipped by Mr. Olanipekun and his wife, Tolu, to celebrate the enduring influence and values of his father, a respected legal luminary, education advocate, and servant-leader.
Racing to Impact
At the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, July 26, 2025, Lagos State Governor and UNILAG alumnus, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the gesture as “a gift of true giving, a legacy built not for applause but for healing and hope.”
He commended the Olanipekun family’s commitment to national development, adding lightheartedly that the act had “put him on a race” to match such impact within the UNILAG community.
A Father’s Joy
A visibly moved Chief Wole Olanipekun revealed that he was unaware of the project until nine days before the commissioning.
“I never told any of my children to read Law. Perhaps they saw something in me and decided to follow suit”, he said.
He described the project commissioning as one of the best moments of his life, revealing that he had no idea of the plan until nine days before the event. He explained that his son neither hinted at it nor sought his input or funding
The Pro-Chancellor expressed deep gratitude for being honored in such a manner in his lifetime, a privilege he was unable to extend to his own parents while they lived.
A Legacy Project, Driven by Quality
The Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, described the centre as a “legacy project” essential to the hospital’s aspiration of becoming a modern, patient-focused institution.
Strategic Contribution to Medical Training
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS praised the centre as a timely and strategic contribution to the university’s medical training and healthcare delivery efforts.
“You haven’t just built a structure; you’ve written a chapter of history,” she declared.
She reaffirmed the university’s readiness to leverage the facility in advancing learning, research, and service.
Key Features of WOPC, LUTH
The Wole Olanipekun Physiotherapy Centre boasts:
Twenty-eight (28) treatment cubicles
- Hydrotherapy pool
- Adult and pediatric gyms
- VIP suites and training rooms
- Sixty-seat seminar room.
- Staff lounges and intern spaces
- Universal accessibility features
- Fire and safety systems
- Solar backup power
For the University of Lagos, and by extension, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the Wole Olanipekun Physiotherapy Centre is more than a building. It is a powerful symbol of legacy, leadership, and love. It reflects the values embodied by the University’s Pro-Chancellor and demonstrates how private generosity can ignite public transformation.
Report: Isaiah Kumuyi
