The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Friday commenced the commemoration of his fifth year coronation anniversary through the second graduation of some students of the Ojaja II Fashion Training Institute.
While declaring the event open at his Ile Oodua Palace, the Ooni explained that “Nigerian youths are angry because of they are hungry” and should be pacified with supports in form of training, mentorship and other empowerment initiatives.
“The youths are angry because they are hungry and the way to get them out of this anger is to continue to empower them. In line with the celebration of my 5th years on throne, I’ve mapped out plans to empower five thousand youths to be financially independent and to feed others.
“I hereby call on Nigerian leaders either in politics, traditional or religious to know that it is now a necessity to empower the youths. Out of our earnings, let us dedicate part to the empowerment of youths in our areas, we must consider this as a necessity and what should be done on a regular basis.
“We have just have a sample of youth restiveness and it should be a lesson to all of us that nobody can handle their anger, so it is about time that we know that it is stupidity to keep monies in the bank with the needy continue to wallow in poverty.
On the debate that constitutional roles be assigned to traditional rulers, Ooni Ogunwusi explained that such would hasten Nigeria’s journey to prosperity, as traditional rulers remain the closest to the people.
“We were with the president two weeks ago and the issue was discussed and we’re making progress. We have roles to play, we are not competing with them and I believe that we shall get there.” The Ooni added.
At the event, 65 youths who successfully completed their trainings as fashion designers were empowered with instruments and equipment procured by the Ooni, with support from the International Breweries, Ilesa and other partners.
In her speech, the Corporate Affairs Manager, International Breweries, Ilesa, Mrs. Stella Sawyer described the programme as laudable, commending the Ooni for the initiative.
“The unique thing about this is the huge preference given to the females and very young people which is cannot be found elsewhere. This shows that Kabiyesi understands the term empowerment the best and is really catching them young.
“We are impressed and proud to be partners in this progress as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and we shall keep doing this.” Mrs. Sawyer noted.
On behalf of other beneficiaries, Adebisi Comfort thanked the Ooni for the gift of new working equipment and the training which she described as the best.
“I am so happy for today and I don’t even know what to say than to keep thanking Kabiyesi, I wish him a long healthy reign on the throne of Oduduwa.” Comfort explained.
Similarly, some victims of human trafficking who were repatriated from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Omar and other parts of the world stormed the palace to thank His Imperial Majesty for giving them a new life.
Earlier before their repatriation, the ladies who are 55 in numbers got financial assistance and other aids from the Ooni after a video went viral online through which the ladies cried for help.
After securing their return through the Ministries of Women Affairs, Humanitarian & Disaster Management and Make Me Elegance Foundation under the leadership of Mrs. Kehinde Okoroafor, the Ooni sponsored the training and empowerment of the ladies in different vocations.
Speaking on behalf of the ladies, Oluwaseun Omolara explained that the Ooni saved her and her colleagues from the claws of premature deaths as they were living in dehumanizing conditions before the interventions of the Ooni.
