From Toluwa Agboluaje, Ibadan
Ooni of Ife,Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja 11
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, has charged the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin and other young speakers across the country to change the narrative of governance in Nigeria by performing excellently and advancing democratic ideals.
Playing host to Speakers from Plateau, Zamfara, Kwara and Osun States led by Ogundoyin of Oyo State at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Oba Adeyeye said the young speakers who are in their early thirties must justify the signing of Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act.
The royal father urged them to inject fresh blood in the nation’s polity and display good leadership qualities to further lead the youth to political prominence and prosperity.
The monarch, who said he would continue to celebrate the young speakers and other young Nigerians who are appointed or elected into political positions, urged them to ensure the project of Nigeria of their dream starts with them.
The Oba particularly lauded the Oyo State Governor,Engr Seyi Makinde for setting the pace for the involvement of youth in politics in Nigeria especially with the appointment of a twenty-seven year old ,Mr Seun Fakorede and others as commissioners in the state.
In a remark , Speaker Ogundoyin said the speakers under the “Not-Too-Young-To-Run policy” have been working and relating for the involvement of more youth and women in Nigerian politics.
Ogundoyin promised to partner the Ooni of Ife on his various educational and youth empowerment programmes which targets over 18,000 young Nigerians across the country.
The speaker called for more investment in education to help the country address the different challenges confronting the nation.
Other speakers who spoke at the palace of the Ooni said they were happy to visit Ile Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas and assured the traditional ruler of their resolve to justify their election into political offices.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Seun Fakorede in a short presentation at the palace urged Nigerian youths to rise up to the challenge of leadership, while also challenging Nigerians and indeed Africans to start writing their stories themselves. He added that it was time the bad history documented for the nation and the continent was corrected.
Other Speakers at the palace of Ooni were Kwara State speaker, Hon Danladi Saliu, Zamfara State Speaker, Hon Nasiru Muazu Magarye, Plateau State Speaker, Hon Abok Nuhu Ayuba and Osun State Speaker, Hon Timothy Owoeye.
The visit was also to celebrate the birthday of the royal father which comes up in few days.
