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Oba Akinloye tasks monarchs on more productive roles

By Gbenga Akinfenwa
14 October 2018   |   4:21 am
The Ojomu of Ajiranland, His Royal Majesty Alaiyeluwa Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye has called on monarchs to play more active roles in their various domains...

Oba Akinloye

• Marks 25th Coronation Anniversary On October 23
The Ojomu of Ajiranland, His Royal Majesty Alaiyeluwa Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye has called on monarchs to play more active roles in their various domains, to achieve even development in communities.

The monarch, who stated this during a press conference to kick-start activities marking his 25th coronation anniversary, slated for Tuesday, October 23, 2018, said the followers have entrusted responsibilities in traditional rulers to continuously seek ways of improving their communities.

“I believe if every Oba can approach their responsibility with dedicated devotion, our communities will reflect more values and progress. To drive these values, education and guidance should take a prime position,” he said.

The foremost traditional ruler of the Lekki Peninsula said since his enthronement, Ajiranland has been transformed into a bustling, thriving commercial and residential area, blessed with serene aquatic splendour, due to unflinching support and cooperation from the Ojomu-in-Council, highly progressive indigenes, residents, corporate bodies and the state government.

While describing the community’s growth as phenomenal, he noted that at the beginning of his reign, the population of Ajiranland was under 2,000, but as at last January, it has risen to over 200,000, comprising diverse ethnic groups living together peacefully.

He said: “Aside the serenity, coupled with ceaseless healthy ocean breeze and lagoon, the accommodating stance of the Oba Ojumu-in-Council, what has contributed to the tremendous growth of my domain is the presence of Chevron Nigeria Plc., with impressive and imposing office and residential quarters, and high profile estate firms.

“The consequence of this is that today, we are being confronted by population explosion. Expectedly, one of the challenges of high population is unemployment. As a committed monarch, I initiated studies to seek solution to the unemployment situation, especially among the youths.

“The studies indicated that one of the main reasons for youth unemployment was lack of employable skills, even among those that attended higher institutions…We developed a befitting skill acquisition centre on a five acre piece of land called Organisation for Research of World Peace (ORWP) Millennium Village, along Lekki-Epe Expressway, apart from responding to conflict where tension was being fomented through dialogue and visitation to Plateau and Kaduna States, and Freetown, Sierra Leone.

“The first leg of training started in October 2003. By 2018, the centre had trained over 3,000 students. Most of the graduates are now gainfully employed by corporate organisations, dotting the Lekki Peninsula axis and beyond. Some have also become employers of labour themselves.”

One of the highlights of the coronation anniversary is the award of plaques and prizes to best students in select public and private schools in Eti-Osa, likewise career guidance and counseling programme from students of the schools.

“The objective is to motivate and inspire these students to aim for high academic laurels and goals in life. Also looking forward, I intend to intensify the collaboration with both Lagos State and Eti-Osa Local Government.

“We are in the 21st century, which calls for greater awareness and vibrancy. The world is now a global village. I appeal to youths to tread cautiously in their quest for easy money.”

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