Royal African Young Leadership Forum: When Ife stood still for 100 Nigerian youths

The maiden edition of the Royal African Young Leadership Award, organised by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi which was held in Ife, Osun State, was well received by the public. The event which celebrated the best among Nigerian youths has continued to have positive reviews. SEGUN ADEBAYO and OLUWOLE IGE report the uniqueness of the event.

Oscillating red, green and blue lights sliced through the people-filled Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, last week Friday.  Students of the institution and their colleagues from far and near pumped their hands in time to the throbbing speakers of the DJ as they chorused songs of their favourite artistes being dished out.

No! it was not a night party as some would have feared. The unseen fog machine that muddied the air inside the venue would have confused anyone to believe it was not another night club event.

Alas! It was the maiden edition of the Royal African Young Leadership Award, an initiative created by the Ooni of ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to celebrate exceptional Nigerian youths.

The event kicked off with the national anthem sang by a music group that drew the attention of many with their voices that earned them a standing ovation.  It was followed by the OAU’s anthem and Ile-Ife’s anthem as the students joined in singing the song that would set the ball rolling for the event of the day.

The event had been the talk of the town for weeks as many people looked forward today for different reasons. Expectations were high within the school premises as it was words went round that the event would be an epoch-making one.

Dubbed as the largest gathering of youths in Nigeria by Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, the award event was one that brought together entrepreneurs, media practitioners, big names in the entertainment industry and even the business world as they converged on ile-ife to speak on the theme-youth development and building human capacity.

The Minister, who was quick to point out that Nigeria, is blessed with intimidating potentials of the youth and their accomplishments expressed optimism that Nigeria’s future is bright, especially with the immeasurable qualities possessed by her youths.

The day marked the end of what some of the students had described as a grueling-academic week, and from the sound of their laughter that pulled many people’s attention one could tell that the students were ready to forget their worries-at least for the day.

To some of them, being at the event was not about the awards, but about the stars, who they had been informed were coming. The screen stars were coming, comedians too. The students could not contain their joy as they were said to have arrived the venue of the event as early as 9.00 am.

To say that the socio-economic activities within the school peaked would be stating the obvious as It was also a good time for commercial bus and car drivers within and outside the school as they made brisk money conveying people into the school from different parts of the town.

The arrival of the awardees

As the awardees arrived in their exotic cars, most of whom were actors, comedians and brand influencers, it was not too difficult for anyone to observe that it was going to be a day to be remembered by the students and the school community.

From their choice of cars to designs and well tailored clothes, the red carpet venue turned a busy ground for the host and security operatives on as they struggled to contain the crowd that besieged the venue.

With the early presence of popular comedian, KennyBlaq, actor and skit maker, Lateef Adedimeji, Seyi Awolowo of the Big Brother Naija fame, Woli Arole and others, it became evident that the security operatives at the venue would have a filled day in their hands.

The school environment would soon turn to a carnival ground of sort as many trooped into the hall to catch a glimpse of what could have brought the large number of celebrities to their school.

From one end of the hall to the other it was the shout of joy, as students were seen scampering to take shake hands and take pictures with the celebrities.

One of them who spoke with Nigerian Tribune said “This is like a golden opportunity for some of us. We may never get the chance to see these people again. We have not come for the awards but for the stars.”

In fact, to some of them, it might be an opportunity to make their foray into the world of acting. A 300-level student of English, who gave his name as Adewole told Nigerian Tribune that “nothing beats the joy of seeing people who inspire you. I am not hoping to be an actor or comedian, I just want to have fun,” he said.

The arrival of the Ooni and his entourage got the crowd ecstatic as he walked into the venue amid cheers from the students as they welcomed their king with the shout of ‘kabiyesi.’

The traditional ruler had played host to some of the awardees a day before the event assuring them of their safety even as he urged them to keep making the country proud.

As the awardees stepped out one after the other to receive their awards, the students did not hide their biases for those who were alumni of the school.

Speaking at the gathering, Oba Adeyeye said as the progenitor of Oduduwa and custodian of immemorial culture and heritage, redefining the new culture of governance, leadership, entrepreneurial inventiveness and the ingenuity creative entreprises of brilliant young population has been at the epicenter of his royalty.

According to him, “unfolding the maiden Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) is an audacious mission of my peace and unity. As a nation and the whole continent of Africa, I can boldly say that the world is more reliant on us more than ever before because of the exciting young population abound.

“Our young populations remain the major catalysts in boosting Nigeria and the whole of African economic growth. Africa is regarded as the next economic frontier in the global community. The eagle eyes of the global community continue to see a continent that is rich both in human and natural resources. The sheer size, young population explosion, innovation and development, sophisticated creative culture and the continent diversity distinctiveness are true potentials that are attracting global attention into bed continent”, Oba Ogunwusi asserted.

Ooni stressed that already Africa is reaping a tremendous tremendous demographic dividend from this millennium generations with exciting and fascinating growth which is altering the continent socio-economic development.

With the focus on critical need to harness the potential of the nation’s youths by the government through creation of enabling environment that would assist them to fully utilize their talents for individual and societal growth, the awardees were reminded that the awards they were given should spur them to do more.

Speaking shortly after receiving her award, one of the awardees, Funke Adesiyan, who was recently appointed Personal Assistant on Domestic and Social events to the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, described the award as the step in the right direction for her and other recipients, adding that “Nigeria is blessed with many talented young minds who need enabling environment and support system to thrive and even do greater things.”

In his address, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare expressed optimism that Nigeria future is bright, especially with the immeasurable qualities possessed by the Nigerian youths.

He stated, “this programme by the Ooni validates the fact that the traditional institution and other structures in the larger Nigerian system have a great role to play in creating the country of our dream. If you carefully look at the class of youths being honoured here today, you will agree with me that our youths are worthy leaders.

“On our part as government, we shall continue to refocus the youth agenda as we remain committed to the provision of modern digital skills for the prosperity of our dear country through the able youths.

We have concluded plans that will ensure that in the next two years, 1.5. million Nigerian youths would have acquired modern digital skills needed to compete with their counterparts globally in this century” Dare hinted

Also commenting on the programme, the United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Fahad AlTaffaq disclosed that his embassy had partnered the Nigerian government in the past years on youth development and capacity building, adding that more would be done in the nearest future.

AITaffaq who made an on-the-spot donation of N5Million to support the project explained that Nigeria is blessed with exceptional youth leaders who are currently taking the lead in Africa and beyond.

On the award list were the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, Seyi Awolowo, grandson of the First Republic President, Alhaji Sheu Shagari, Mr. Bala Bello Shagari, the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Olatunde Olatunji, Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Oluwaseun Fakorede; Barrister Chima Obieze, Enugu State House of Assembly and son in law to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prince God’swill Edward, among others.The recipients of the award were picked based on their achievements in their various field of specialisations.

The recipients were also installed as King’s Ambassadors, who would be representing other millions of youths that are recording amazing successes in their various villages, community and urban areas.

Prominent stakeholders across the country including traditional rulers, chiefs, politicians, captains of industries and academia including the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede attended the event.