The new Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, was on Saturday officially presented with the Staff of Office by the Ondo State Government as the 32nd traditional ruler of the ancient town.
Speaking after receiving the Staff of Office from the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Oba Ogunoye, solicited for the support of the people of the town to usher unprecedented development to the land.
The new monarch who was installed as Olowo on August 23, 2019, after the death of Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi, urged the youth in the area embrace and venture into agriculture as well as Information Communication Technology (ICT), noting that the future lies with the two-sector.
The new Olowo who appreciated Governor Akeredolu and the people of Owo for the immense love shown him since his ascension to the throne of his forefathers calls for their support towards steering the community to greater heights.
He said: “We thank God that unity is being restored in the land and we must consolidate on that. We must, therefore, encourage ourselves, particularly the youth to go back to the farm. Our land is so fertile to grow cocoa, coffee, palm kernel, cassava, yam and others in abundance.
“We must as well key into the agricultural policies of the federal and the state governments, as much wealth could be generated from agriculture. I urge our youths to please go back to the farm, as I equally urge those of us who have the resources to invest in agriculture in order to employ our huge youth population that are not gainfully employed.
“Our youths must come to terms with the reality that the era of white-collar jobs is gone. I will, in that regard, continue to encourage our youths in the area of agriculture, and interested investors alike.
“I must point out that most of our youths lack the basic skills required to handle technical jobs, which have been taken over by foreign migrants (Togolese, Beninese, etc.)
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“This is not as a result of lack of technical training school, but lack of interest in such endeavours. It is necessary, as I will continue to appeal to our youths to acquire basic skills, to be able to handle highly essential technical jobs.
“Also we will encourage our youths to explore legitimate opportunities in Information Communication Technology (ICT), which is fast developing and beneficial now available for wealth creation. We will work towards the possibility of having an ICT Hub in Owo.”
With the event coinciding with 1000 years celebration of Owo’s existence, the monarch who urged all sons and daughters of the community to invest in the development of the town restated his commitment to continually preserve and promote the community cherished heritage.
Governor Akeredolu while presenting the Staff of Office to Oba Ogunoye maintained that the choice of Ogunoye as the traditional ruler of the town by the majority of the people was never a mistake.
According to the governor, ”this is the first time we are having succession without any hitch. Everyone within the community accepted you as their Oba, hence the peaceful conduct of the entire process.
”I’m happy that you have become the oba in a time that Owo is celebrating her 1000 years of existence. Today’s event is historic. You are a millennium king.
“For all of us, we must have a sense of participation in the celebration of the town’s one thousand years which is the historic moment for the town. You enjoyed the approval of everyone including God to become the Olowo. This was seen when your name was subsequently announced.
”You are the one that our forefathers and God wanted to use to unite Owo. I’m sure you are interested in the development of the town,” Akeredolu stated.
Some of the personalities present at the event include top government functionaries, religious and traditional leaders from within and outside the state including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Delta State among others.
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