Wole Olanipekun Physiotherapy Centre commissioned at LUTH

In a celebration that united visionaries, government leaders, academics, and professionals, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned the state-of-the-art Wole Olanipekun Physiotherapy Centre (WOPC) at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), describing it as “a gift of true giving, a legacy built not for applause but for healing and hope.”

The facility, named in honour of the legal luminary and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), was donated by his son, Bode Olanipekun (SAN), alongside his wife, Mrs Tolu Olanipekun, as a tribute to Chief Olanipekun’s lifelong commitment to service, education, and nation-building.

In a heartfelt and moving speech punctuated with humorous remarks, as Special Guest of Honour, Governor Sanwo-Olu traced the personal journey that led to the project delivery and commissioning including well-planned scheme to make it a surprise to Chief Olanipekun who only got to know about it a few days to the unveiling.

He emphasised that the essence of giving lies in anonymity and altruism.

“There is no better satisfaction than when you give back to society and the beneficiaries do not even know who gave it. That is the real essence of giving,” Sanwo-Olu said to loud applause.

The Governor praised the Olanipekun family for investing in health, a critical area of need in Nigeria’s development discourse.

“What Bode and Tolu have done is not just a structure. It is a statement. It’s a challenge to all of us, to use our little space to give back,” he said.

He also pledged to contribute further to the University of Lagos, humorously lamenting that the family’s generous gesture had set him “on a race” to match their impact.

The project, which began with a modest idea in February 2024, blossomed into what is now being hailed as the best physiotherapy centre in Nigeria and West Africa.

In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor W.L. Adeyemo, highlighted the importance of the centre in the hospital’s vision to transform into a truly 21st-century healthcare facility.

“About two years ago, Bode and Tolu approached us with this proposal. We had no idea it would be this massive. It has surpassed all expectations. Their attention to detail and insistence on quality delayed the project, but also elevated it.”

He explained that the centre boasts top-tier equipment, architectural sophistication, and a design philosophy focused on comfort, accessibility, and cutting-edge therapy techniques.

Architect Jimi Adetona, the lead project consultant in his technical breakdown of the project, described the facility as a “modern marvel.”

The three-floor building, according to Adetona, houses: 28 treatment cubicles, Hydrotherapy pool, Adult and paediatric gyms, VIP treatment rooms, Intern and staff lounges, Seminar and training room seating 60, Solar-powered backup system, advanced fire safety and accessibility features.

“This building is more than concrete and steel. It is a statement of vision, a testament to what collaboration can achieve,” Adetona stated, acknowledging the various engineers, contractors, and departments who brought the idea to life.

At the presentation, the managing partner of the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co., Bode Olanipekun (SAN) thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering support. In his words; “When I told him about the project, he said, ‘Bode, any day you pick, just let me know.’ No letter. No formality”.

“May your race never decline or decrease, sir,” Bode added.

The emotional high point came when Chief Wole Olanipekun addressed the audience. Visibly moved, he shared a touching personal anecdote about his children, all of whom are lawyers, without his prompting.

“I never told any of them to read law. Perhaps they saw something in me and decided to follow,” he said.

Chief Olanipekun expressed delight at the thoughtfulness that informed the project and the impact it will have on lives and humanity.

Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, expressed gratitude for the facility, promising to maximise its use for both students and patients.

“This is a game-changer. You have not just built a centre; you have written history,” she said. In highlighting the many unique features and cutting-edge opportunities that University of Lagos provides including gender diversity and balance, she said, “And yes, I’m a ‘she’, running one of the biggest universities in Nigeria, so the future is balanced,” the VC added.

She also revealed that the university was preparing for an expansion in student numbers and had been upgrading facilities in line with the federal government’s agenda.

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