Monarch urges youths to look beyond current challenges
By Auwal Gombe
The Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama Oyelude, CON, has called on youths in Nigeria to be united and contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation, stating that the current challenge is temporary.
Oba Oyelude said this, Thursday in Osogbo at the maiden edition of Pinnacle Leadership and Entrepreneurship Summit.
The monarch, who was confered with Grand Mentor of the group, said his Palace has been supporting youths across the State, calling on young people to build a good network of contacts that will help shape their lives.
“Your contact is your richness. I have been supporting young people and will continue to do so. I love what these young persons are doing and I promise to continue to support them. Human capital development is what I believe so much in and I have dedicated my life to it.
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“Nation building isn’t more than this, young elements coming together, formulating policies, bringing out business ideas and importantly empowering their peers and colleagues. This is laudable. It’s worthy of emulation. Our country needs them and not to fight each other. They should remain steadfast and focused, avoid politics that can divide them, they are better together as non-partisan, so individually they can play politics.”
The monarch advised Nigerian youths to be patient as the current tough times would soon become a thing of the past.
“My advice to Nigerians is that, we should keep faith with our Country. This is when we need the better part of our patriotic mind and conscience. We are going through challenges but we shall overcome it.”
During the panel session, Adewumi Adeyemi, member of Osun State House of Assembly, Adedayo Oderinu, a broadcaster, Ayotunde Jimoh, a teacher and a real estate consultant were all unanimous in calling on the youths to build capacity and see education as a very important tool to success.
In his lecture, former Chief whip of Osun State House of Assembly, Tunde Olatunji said, the opportunities are abundant, calling on young people to be on the lookout for them.
Olatunji said, “there are a lot of opportunities abound here. From agriculture to technology and others. But young people just need to understand what those opportunities are and plan towards them. The population of Osun State alone is a huge opportunity. Do you know that a litre of palm oil is more expensive than a litre of petrol and diesel? But I can say it’s going to be more expensive than that as time goes on.”
Young entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas and seven of them went home with support grants and equipment.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Abdulmalik Afolabi advised the winners of the grant and equipment to make judicious use of the cash and the machines.
“My advice to those with business ideas but have no finance capability is to be patient, another thing is to attend business summit where you get to pitch your business ideas, going out for summit means you get to meet new friends and network. We urge the winners today to make judicious use of the cash and the equipment.”
