By Aiyeku Timothy
Father of newly appointed Nigerian-born White House counsel, Funmi Olorunnipa Badejo, Prof Zacchaeus I Olorunnipa, has urged US President Joe Biden on the need to ‘review the US Constitution and make appropriate amendments as necessary’ having taken over office from Donald Trump.
“Today, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris announced additional members of the Office of the White House Counsel.
“These experienced and accomplished individuals have a wide range of knowledge from various fields and will be ready to get to work on day one,” a statement on the Biden-Harris transition website stated.
Badejo, a lawyer and an alumna of Berkeley Law College in the US, has served as a counsel for policy to the assistant attorney general in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Ethics Counsel at the White House Counsel’s Office and Attorney Advisor at the Administrative Conference of the United States during the Obama-Biden administration.
Reacting to her latest appointment, her father, in an interview on Monday, said he is honoured by his daughter’s appointment, noting that her name, ‘Oluwafunmilayo’ meaning ‘God has given me joy’ has worked for him.
Prof. Olorunnipa stated that his daughter had displayed intelligence at an early age and he is proud of her achievements. “She (Funmi) displayed a very high sense of responsibility at an early age,” he said
He added by saying, “My daughter, Funmi, started very early in her childhood days to display evidence of high intelligence, confidence, inquisitiveness, determination to succeed, focus and leadership qualities. She was always asking us as parents (her mom in particular) unending questions. Additionally, she displayed a very high sense of responsibility at an early age.”
Prof. Olorunnipa, who said his opinion on former US President Donald Trump would not matter, noted that “I only wished former President Trump had accepted the will of God and the people and let God and democracy continue to have their way in the United States of America.”
However, he called on new president, Joe Biden, on the need to review the US constitution and make all appropriate amendments as necessary.
He added, “I strongly agree with those who are advocating for the need to review the US Constitution and make appropriate amendments as necessary.
“I hope that President Biden will….Promulgate policies that will mitigate against racial prejudices and enhance unity among the different racial and ethnic groups in the US.”
“The racial divide in the US is a huge menace that has lingered on for too long and continues to serve as an intractable constraint to the greatness of America.”
Prof. Olorunnipa also spoke about the Nigerian situation, stressing the need for nation-building for the good of all.
“(Nigerian) leaders (should) focus on building a Nigeria that all of us will be proud of.”
Prof. Zacchaeus Olorunnipa was born at Araromi-Igbo in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State and his daughter Funmi has three other siblings, including her elder brother, Tolu Olorunnipa, who is currently the White House Correspondent for Washington Post, Toluse, Shola (a Surgeon) and Yemi (a School administrator).
