South West
Youthful population, not oil, Nigeria’s economic mainstay — Gov. Abiodun
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has said that Nigeria’s huge population of youth and not oil is the nation’s economic mainstay.
He also noted that a well nourished and developed youth is capable of launching the nation into global reckoning.
Abiodun who made the assertion in a lecture he delivered at the fourth convocation ceremony of the Mountain Top University, declared that Nigerian youths are knowledgeable, vibrant, with indomitable spirit.
He observed that though the nation is blessed with abundant oil, solid minerals and other natural resources, Nigeria’s wealth resides with the youths regarded as the future leaders.
Speaking on the topic “The Youth as Catalyst in Building Nigeria’s Future,” he said, “Let me say without fear of contradiction that we have a lot to be proud of, but our attitude to our youths is not part of it. A significant dimension of our leadership predicament in Nigeria is due largely to the disenfranchisement of the Nigerian youth.
“I dare say that the statistical story of the Nigerian youth seems to have taken worse dive even with democracy. It is important for you, our youths to have faith and believe.
“But more than anything else, do not let someone else create your world for you. For when they do, they will always make it too small and it may not be the world you want for yourselves,” he noted.
Abiodun charged youths to channel their energies by exploring new frontiers in the different areas of human endeavours that would bring the desired development to all facets of the economy as they are the “new oil of the nation.”
The Governor further admonished youths to rally round themselves, empower others to achieve their potential as well as use their numerical strength from wherever they are, to identify and promote their own to take leadership both in economy and politics.
According to Abiodun, “Since youths are usually direct and indirect victims of mis-government and poor leadership, it is imperative for them not to wait to be crushed by policies of the state by others without their inputs, but partake in issues that affect them.”
He emphasised that youths are the foundation layer for the development of any nation, as they act as the driving force, through their vibrancy and tenacity.
He called on government at all levels to provide the platform for the youth to contribute to the development of the society, adding that as the future leaders, it is important to involve them in policy and decision making to prepare them for the task ahead.
While calling for the streamlining of admission in the universities and other higher institutions, the Governor noted that they must continue to ensure adequate relationship between ‘town and gown’ and produce qualified personnel for the development needs of the society.
He maintained that youth empowerment remains a focal point of his administration, charging higher institutions to expose their students to entrepreneurship and mechanised agriculture, as the sector has capacity to provide employment opportunities, poverty alleviation and guaranteed food security.
The state helmsman called on the Mountain Top University and others to come up with a productive approach to produce youths that would sustain and increase the tempo of development and provide a solid foundation for the future.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the occasion, said the school had made tremendous contributions to manpower development in the country and has set a standard in academic excellence in the country.
He charged the graduates to engage in solving problems and not be job seekers, commending Ogun State Government for its efforts at putting the education sector on a sound footing.
In his remarks, the Chancellor, Mountain Top University and General Overseer of Mountain of Fire Ministry, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, while congratulating the graduands, noted that the school was set up to provide an all round education that would make its products compete favourably with the best anywhere in the world.
While admonishing them to take cognisance of all what they had learnt while in the school, Dr. Olukoya called on them to be good ambassadors of the institution and appreciated the parents for sacrificing to give their children and wards sound education that would prepare them for the task ahead.
The institution graduated 264 students with 31 first class, 125 second class upper division and 93 lower class division, 10 with third class division, and five post graduate degrees.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of two million Naira to the best graduating student, Miss Victoria Amaechi from the department of Biological Sciences with a GPA of 4.9.
By Sodiq Adelakun
Members of the Old Students Association of Odogbolu Grammar School’s 1979/84 set gathered on Friday, June 28, to commemorate significant milestones and reaffirm their commitment to supporting their alma mater.
The occasion marked 45 years since their admission to the school and 40 years since their graduation.
Speaking at the 40th-anniversary press conference, The Alumni President, Bolade Ogunfodun (BOT) emphasised the association’s dedication to giving back to the institution that shaped their formative years.
Highlighting their contributions over the years, President Ogunfodun announced the completion of a block of renovated classrooms, the provision of 120 new ironed chairs, and support for sporting activities among others.
“The essence of our reunion is to give back,” President Ogunfodun stated, reiterating the alumni’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational facilities and opportunities at Odogbolu Grammar School.
Among the distinguished alumni present was Prof. Adebola Osipitan, a former president and head boy of the 79/84 set, who spoke passionately about the alumni’s broader impact.
He revealed that the association has been creating welfare and job opportunities for members’ children and extending assistance to students and teachers alike.
“We began our efforts while some of us were still students, Our approach has always prioritised collaboration over pressure, laying a strong foundation for the association’s enduring structure,” Prof. Osipitan said.
Meanwhile, former students gathered to reminisce about their alma mater, recalling tough but transformative discipline, coordinated efforts among peers, and other formative experiences that shaped their lives.
In response to the reunion, Vice Principal Mr Oyibo expressed gratitude for the alumni’s commitment to their school and praised their initiative in launching projects aimed at benefiting current teachers and students.
…Says Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport nears inauguration
By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade has said the inter-state rail system is strategic for the development of the South West region.
Akinmade made this known while speaking on the topic ‘Regional Integration and Development: The case of Ogun State’ at the Western Post 2024 annual retreat in Abeokuta.
He explained that upon the assumption of office of Governor Abiodun in 2019, he strategically came up with idea of speedy development through the concept of Multi-modal Transport Management System, which connects the State with others in the region through air, water, rail and road and as well gives access to the rest of the world.
Hon. Akinmade noted that with railway interconnectivity, development in the southwest would be faster as the movement of people and goods is made easier.
“The inter-state rail system that cuts across the states in the Southwest have been efficiently explored by Ogun State for effective connectivity in the region. Presently, the state has more rail stations than any other States; there are five different stations within the stretch of Lagos and Ibadan alone.
“With an efficient rail system, an indigene of Ado-Ekiti can secure employment in Ogun State, get to office everyday from Ekiti and return at the closing hour around 5pm, and before 7pm he will be back in Ado-Ekiti.
“That is the type of regional integration we are institutionalising in the State so that individuals in any of the States in the region can freely interact, transact and relax in the State without hindrance,” he said.
The Special Adviser stated that oil exploration would soon commence in the state and that it would put the region on a more viable economic footing.
He reassured that the Gateway International Agro-Cargo airport would be inaugurated soon, saying that it would be the best in the West Africa corridor with the largest runway and apron.
Akinmade stated that the airport would bring great relief to thousands of manufacturers operating in the State to get imported materials with ease and also transport their finished goods to the rest of the world without facing the traffic snarl in Lagos.
He explained that the airport would serve as a potent regional development tool and means of connectivity among the states of the region and with the rest of the world.
“Our government is presently working on a dry port at Kajola, which will sufficiently complement the Agro-Cargo Airport in the area of importation and exportation of raw materials and finished goods by manufacturers, and by implication serve as a better alternative to the Lagos Port that is often characterised by heavy congestion,” said Akinmade.
The Special Adviser disclosed that the government had constructed over 500km of roads across the State to make mobility easier and connect other States more effectively, adding that the roads had made regional integration possible considering the strategic location of Ogun State in the region.
“Of profound interest is the recent resolution by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to start oil exploration in Ogun State and make the State an oil-producing State, which in the next twelve months will begin to unfold and put the region on a more viable economic footing.
“Our administration has invested heavily in agriculture to ensure food security, and just last week, the Governor allocated expansive lands to state lawmakers for the purpose of aggressive mechanised farming. It may interest you to know that our State is presently the largest producer of poultry products and cassava in the country.
“Imbued with unwavering commitment to speedy development of the State and the region at large, through his ISEYA mantra, which encompasses : Infrastructure, Social Welfare and Wellbeing, Education, Youths Empowerment and Job Creation and lastly Agriculture, Prince Dapo Abiodun, upon his assumption of office, strategically came up with very brilliant idea of speedy development through the concept of Multi-modal Transport Management system, which connects the State with other states in the region through air, water, rail and road and as well gives access to the rest of the world.
“That is the type of regional integration we are institutionalising in the State so that individuals in any of the States in the region can freely interact, transact and relax in the State without hindrance,” said Akinmade.
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke is set to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme, targeting thousands of young farmers across the agricultural value chain.
Adeleke disclosed that nothing less than 1,000 hectares of land will be allocated to each local government for the programme.
This was contained in a statement signed by Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke assured stakeholders that farm inputs, tractorisation and issue of food security are being addressed by his government.
The Governor said his plans for the agricultural sector is robust and all inclusive , adding that “the state is now set for implementation of various programmes in the sector.”
He said, “We take Agriculture very seriously. Our government decided to first focus on bridging the infra deficit to strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas. We first focused on building the roads and bridges as a condition to empower the agricultural sector in the area of transportation and market linkages.
“Now that we have made enormous progress in the infra sector, we are now set to roll out specific programmes for the agricultural sector. I have set up an implementation committee on the recommendations of our food security committee.
“The Committee which is to be chaired by my Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon Olaniran Akanfe has the mandate to put into effect the suggestions and proposals in the food committee report. Other members of the committee include Olusola Omole, Dr Alaba Towoju, Dr Olu Olajide, Hon Moshood Yakub, Hon Alexander Kehinde Oloke, Adelowo Adekunle Saburi, Kolade Tunde (TISKO) and Engr Badmus Bukola Mikail. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture is to serve as the Secretary of the Committee while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Tola Faseru serves as overall Coordinator.
“As we kickstart the implementation of the food security committee, our government is to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme which is to target thousands of young farmers and agropreneurs across the agricultural value chain.
“The programme will include at least 1,000 hectares of Land per local government; provision of land clearing and tractorisation; availability of inputs; guaranteed offtaking; all season irrigation farming; integration of hydroponic farming; integration of precision farming and emphasis on gender balancing and inclusivity.
“My Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Faseru is to chair the Action committee which will have representatives from ALGON, traditional institutions among others. Other members of the action committee will include Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Land; Surveyor General of the state; Director Agriculture services at the Ministry of Agriculture; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth; President, Osun Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Adegoke Taiwo Kamal; a representative of farm equipment leasers and Hon Hezekiah Olabamiji Oladele(HOB).
“I have also directed the Commissioner to host a meeting with real farmers on our various farmlands in the state. The Commissioner is to meet genuine farmers to strengthen our partnership as we launch various programmes within the sector.
“On tractorisation, this is another piece of good news. The state has acquired some tractors while the Commissioner has been directed to negotiate a leasing deal with the tractor hiring association. We are also repairing existing tractors.
“For those into plantation farming, we are raising seedlings across the crop sectors. We are starting with cashew and cocoa.
“More importantly, our government is working on reviving the cocoa industry as well as supporting agro processing through public private partnership. We welcome investors and partners in this critical sector,” the statement added.
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