Stakeholders’ Summit: Oriire Youth Council Meets Oloolo, Monarch Lauds PVC Sensitization Drive
Yesterday, the Oriire Youth Council (OYC) met with His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Oyebunmi Ajayi (JP), Oyegbami IV, the Oloolo of Oolo Kingdom, during a gathering of traditional leaders at his palace in Oolo, the headquarters of ward 7 in Oriire Local Government Area.
The visit was part of the OYC’s ongoing efforts to engage traditional rulers in the aftermath of its week-long PVC sensitization drive across the 10 wards of Oriire, as well as to mobilize support for the upcoming second edition of the #OriireFirst Stakeholders’ Summit scheduled for later this year.
Speaking shortly after the meeting, the Oloolo commended the youths for their sense of responsibility:
“I appreciate your measuring up to responsibility by going round the over 800 towns and villages of Oriire. I pray for your safety and encourage you to remain non-partisan in order to maintain the formidable integrity of the Council. Be assured of my maximum cooperation and support towards the forthcoming summit,” the monarch said.
Among the community leaders present, Chief (Hon.) Idowu Akanbi, JP — community head of Olode in Ago-Ife village of ward 7 and a former member representing Oriire State Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly — expressed optimism about the OYC’s initiatives.
“I am amazed at what these young people are doing. If such efforts can be sustained, it will surely yield fruitful results. I pledge my full support for the summit,” he declared.
Also speaking, High Chief Timothy Adegboye Odewole, the Abese of Oolo Kingdom and pioneer Executive Chairman of Oriire Local Government Area. It could be recalled that his led -administration and others was abruptly cut short by the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida who dissolved some elected local government administrations for sole administrators.
At Oriire’s creation in 1989, we had an independent federal constituency before it was scrapped due to population concerns. If our youths participate more in politics, census, and elections, we can send the
right signal for the return of that constituency. This will free Oriire from decades of marginalization under the dominance of our sister local government areas such as federal and Senatorial shared constituencies,” he explained.
Representing OYC, the National Chairman, Comrade Sarafadeen Owonikoko, reaffirmed the group’s vision:
“The Oriire Youth Council is not just an idea; it is a movement to unite all stakeholders for development. The PVC Drive was about civic responsibility, while the summit is about building consensus for progress.”
Also speaking, Joshua Ojo Akin, OYC Ex-Officio I and member representing Oriire at the Oyo State Youth Parliament (2nd Assembly), stressed inclusivity:
“The first summit in December 2023 was historic, but this second edition must be more inclusive. With the promise of the Onigbori of Igboriland to mobilize traditional rulers and the assurance from Oloolo today, we are confident of a stronger summit that will shape Oriire’s future,” he noted.
Present at the meeting were about 20 traditional and community leaders under the leadership of Oloolo, while notable youth voices included Afeez Adigun Tijani (“Omo Leader”), a dedicated youth from Oolo community who has been resiliently supporting OYC activities in ward 7.
The OYC reaffirmed that preparations for the second edition of the #OriireFirst Stakeholders’ Summit are ongoing, with feedback expected from political leaders and government stakeholders in the coming weeks.