OGUN MONARCH URGES INVESTMENT IN YOUTHS, WOMEN

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Oba Saka Matemilola, has called on governments, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to invest more in youths and women as a sustainable approach to reducing poverty and strengthening security across Nigeria.

The monarch made the appeal on Monday during a press conference at his palace in Abeokuta to mark his fourth coronation anniversary and present the impact report of the Owu Hope Initiative, his flagship intervention programme for vulnerable groups.

Oba Matemilola described poverty as one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges, noting that while individual and organisational interventions are commendable, they remain insufficient to meet the country’s growing socio-economic needs.

He stressed that empowering people with skills and opportunities to become self-reliant is more effective than providing temporary financial assistance.

Oba Matemilola said the Owu Hope Initiative focuses on youths and women because of their critical roles in driving economic growth and community development.

He explained that the programme is anchored on four pillars: education; health and well-being; enterprise and skills development; and environmental sustainability and climate action.

The monarch disclosed that the initiative reached 12,606 beneficiaries in the first quarter of the year through various interventions, including scholarships and educational support.

He said 397 students received scholarships worth ₦20 million, adding that the programme currently supports more than 600 scholars and is expected to expand to 1,000 beneficiaries before the middle of 2026.

Oba Matemilola also revealed that the initiative introduced a school feeding programme for vulnerable pupils, serving 165 children daily and providing 8,662 meals during the academic term at a cost of ₦1,732,400.

“Poverty is everywhere in Nigeria. What we have done is just a drop in the ocean. The important thing is to teach people to become self-sufficient. If we can raise their capacity to support themselves, we would have achieved a lot.

“That is why we focus on supporting youths and women because they are the demographics I have a passion for,” he said.

On security, the traditional ruler said protecting lives and property should not be the responsibility of security agencies alone, stressing that communities and traditional institutions must also play active roles.

He disclosed that the palace has institutionalised bi-monthly security meetings involving Divisional Police Officers from six police divisions in Abeokuta North and South, alongside representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Amotekun Corps, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), community development associations, religious leaders and traditional chiefs.

According to him, the collaboration has strengthened intelligence gathering, improved community participation and enhanced security across the kingdom.

He added that community leaders are regularly reminded of their responsibility as the first line of defence and encouraged to work closely with security agencies to combat crime.

The monarch further noted that the regular engagements have discouraged community leaders from interfering in law enforcement by seeking the release of habitual offenders, a development he said has improved accountability and public confidence in the justice system.

Speaking on the role of traditional rulers during elections, Oba Matemilola said monarchs must remain non-partisan while encouraging eligible citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote for credible leaders.