Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Chairman of the Nigerian Body of Benchers, has called for a thorough examination and audit of past administrations in Nigeria.
He believes that such an audit would shed light on the reasons for the country’s economic challenges, the collapse of refineries despite significant expenditures on refurbishment, and other pressing issues.
Speaking at a colloquium held in Abuja to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama’s elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olanipekun also advocated for the renaming of Nigeria.
He argued that the name “Nigeria” was imposed by the colonial masters and carries a demeaning connotation.
He suggested that the country should adopt a name that reflects its indigenous identity and evokes a strong sense of pride and ownership.
Furthermore, Olanipekun urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate a probe into past administrations to uncover the reasons behind the country’s current challenges.
He raised questions about the state of the economy, the use of allocated funds, the condition of critical infrastructure like airports, and the devaluation of the national currency, the Naira. He stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in addressing these issues.
The colloquium aimed to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss pressing national issues and find solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria.
It addressed concerns such as corruption, nepotism, electoral rigging, and the need for good governance and transparency at all levels of government.
The event was chaired by retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Mary Odili, and attended by notable dignitaries, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.