Olowo gets staff of office, as Akeredolu lauds selection process

The Olowo of Owo, Ondo State, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, was on
Saturday presented with the staff and instrument of office as the
32nd monarch of the town, by the Ondo State Government.

Ogunoye became the monarch after winning the election conducted
by the kingmakers of the ancient community in July and was
installed as the monarch in August 2019.

Speaking at the presentation of the staff of office, by the
State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, Oba Ogunoye urged the youths
to venture into agriculture as well as Information Communication
Technology, saying that the future lies with the two sectors.

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 youths 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.) This is not as a result
of a 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 ICT, which is a fast-developing and beneficial
sector now available for wealth creation. We will work towards the
possibility of having an ICT hub in Owo.”

The event coincided with the 1000th-year celebration of Owo
existence. The monarch who urged all sons and daughters of the
community to invest in the development of the town restated his
commitment to continue to preserve and promote the community’s
cherished heritage.

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