The award ceremony tagged “Key to the city of Ota” was a token of appreciation of Ota sons and daughters to these individuals and some corporate organisations and was presented by the Olota of Ota, Oba (Prof) Adeyemi Obalanlege during the 1st Awori Economic and Security Summit, held at Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Council, recently.
In his remarks, the monarch noted that the awardee’s contribution to the economic growth of the town was immeasurable hence the decision of the Olota-In-Council to bestowed such honour on them.
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Obalanlege noted that the issue of security and economic advancement should not be left in the hands of government alone, thereby calling for collective will of all and sundry to ensure a peaceful and secure society.
He urged traditional institutions to support government in the area of infrastructural development, wealth creation and poverty alleviation, explaining that traditional rulers have a role to play in stamping out poverty among their subjects.
The monarch observed that unlike most of the challenges being faced by Nigerians, poverty and insecurity defy ethnic and religious colourations.
Obalanlege called for the establishment of more Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in the town so as to provide more job opportunities for the unemployed ones and serve as an effective antidote to social upheavals and insecurity.
He said further that one of the move to eradicate poverty and insecurity among the people is with the setting up of Foundation for Economic and Development Initiative (FECODEIN).
“If we need to banish poverty and wrestle insecurity, we need a drug like FECODEIN. Or who does not know that a man who lives in squalor, cannot feed himself and his family?
“Unlike most of Nigeria’s challenges, insecurity and poverty defy ethnic or religious colourations. We need to halt the drift and depopulate the growing class of junction boys, scarlet ladies, vagabonds and area fathers, who now constitute a social menace. We must educate them and empower them to discard these shameful vices,” the monarch said.
In his paper presentation entitled: “That Aworiland May Survive: Implication for Development of The Economic Potentials and Security of the Citizens,” Prof Idris Ayinde, of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said the town despite being business and industrial hub of the state is still lacking in physical infrastructure to meet the need of the population.
He expressed confidence that the economic initiative of Obalanlege would bring about a core fulcrum to achieve the dream of the survival of Aworiland.
The convener of the Summit, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, said the summit was put together to highlight jobs, business opportunities and challenges in Aworiland.