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Ooni Empowers 70 Graduands After One Year Free Training
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II has canvassed for capacity building for the teeming Nigerian youths as the lead way towards the prosperous future for the country.
Ooni, who is also the co -chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) made this known on Saturday at his Ile-Oodua Palace, Ile Ife while addressing a cross section of beneficiaries of the Ojaja Fashion Institute, which is one of the monarch’s initiatives through which youths are being trained to become professional fashion designers.
Addressing the 70 graduands who were also empowered with sewing machines and other tailoring equipments witnessed by their trainers, parents, guardians and dignitaries at the event, Ooni Ogunwusi decried the restiveness of the youths across the country which he attributed to idleness and unemployment.
“This initiative started as a simple training for Ile Ife youths, especially children of the poor but we had to transform it into an institute to accommodate more people across the country.
“Due to poverty and idleness, most youths have found themselves perpetrating several forms of evil, especially our young girls and ladies. Most of them resort into prostitution just to acquire basic necessities of life.
“I came up with this initiative because I realized that we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder as a society if our youths are not trained and mentored to gain financial independence and be able to fend for themselves”. Ooni said
“I want to congratulate the beneficiaries and also urge them to make the best use of this opportunity, while I implore their parents and guardians to support their dreams and aspirations”, Ooni stressed.
Also in his remarks, the director of Ojaja Fashion Training Institute, Adeyanju Samuel commended the African foremost monarch for his youth development and empowerment agenda, describing him as a God’s unique gift to the world.
Adeyanju who explained that the institute has since its establishment by Ooni trained several professional fashion designers, saying this will go a long way drastically reducing the level of poverty in the society..
He noted that Hausa, Ibo, Yorubas and other tribes of Nigeria have benefitted from the one year free training. He thus urged other philanthropists to emulate Ooni for the good gesture towards the less privileged.
Adeyanju also praised International Breweries, makers of Trophy lager beer and supporters for their material and financial contributions towards the success of the institute.
Similarly, the National President Nigeria Union of Tailors, Comrade Wasiu Taiwo, praised Ooni Ogunwusi for being a saviour of this generation, lauding him on the project which he called first of its kind across the country especially coming from a traditional ruler.
While urging government to impact the citizenry with adequate dividends of democracy, Comrade Taiwo admonished the graduands to face their work and ensure that they develop their carrier to greater height.
Pledging to take fashion and tailoring profession to the next level, the national tailors union boss expressed the willingness of his union to partner with the Ooni on the project with a view to productively engaging the jobless youths. He also explained that such an initiative will help combat poverty, especially among Nigeria’s teeming youths most of whom are unemployed despite being educated.
Mrs Eniola Ali-Faweya, the Corporate Affairs Manager, International Breweries, lauded Ooni for his goodness towards the society. She advised the graduands to dedicate and disseminate effectively well what they have learnt and ensure they updated themselves globally through the internet.
Mrs Ali-Faweya pledged that the company would continue supporting Ooni in all his efforts to empower youth and beneficiaries of other initiatives of the monarch.
Miss Kehinde Adebiyi who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries applauded Ooni for transforming her life through the training and for setting her up with quality sewing machines.
Adebiyi said she was hopeless for she had no helper, but now Oba Ogunwusi had given her hope.
She promised to utilise the privilege wisely and urged other roaming about youths to find something tangible to do rather than wasting their brighter future.
The family of the late veteran actor and scholar, Chief (Prof.) Adekola “Kola” Oyewo, has expressed deep appreciation to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among other Nigerians, for their messages of condolence and support following the death of their patriarch.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Dr. Adewale Oyewo on behalf of the family, the bereaved household said the overwhelming show of sympathy, prayers, visits and acts of kindness from across Nigeria and beyond had served as a strong pillar of comfort in their period of grief.
The family described the late Oyewo as a respected community leader, accomplished academic, devoted family man, and traditional title holder whose life was defined by service, integrity, and unwavering commitment to societal development.
According to the statement, the tributes received in his honour reflect the far-reaching impact he made on students, colleagues, cultural practitioners and the wider society.
The family particularly appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for his condolence message and prayers, noting that his support had been deeply comforting.
It also expressed gratitude to the Ooni of Ife, whose words of encouragement were described as uplifting and consoling during the mourning period.
The statement further acknowledged the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba (Prof.) Adekunle Ashamu Oyeyemi (Tewogbade I), the Oloba-in-Council, and other traditional institutions for their fatherly support and solidarity.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was also commended for his message of sympathy, which the family said brought reassurance in their moment of loss.
The family extended appreciation to professional bodies including the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), as well as academic communities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University, Ekiti State University, and Elizade University, where the deceased served.
They also thanked friends, associates and well-wishers who stood by them with prayers and support.
“As we continue preparations to honour the life and legacy of our beloved patriarch, we humbly seek continued prayers and support,” the statement added, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has appointed Anietie Iniedu as the new Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, succeeding Anthony Placid, who was appointed to the position barely three months ago.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Placid, who described his successor as a seasoned police officer with extensive experience in public communication, operational policing, intelligence management, institutional accountability and administration.
An indigene of Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Iniedu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Chemistry from the University of Uyo and has attended several professional courses in investigative interviewing, crime scene management, intelligence analysis, strategic communication and human rights-based policing.
Before his latest appointment, Iniedu headed the Complaint Response Unit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he coordinated the management of public complaints and drove initiatives aimed at deepening transparency, accountability and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
He also served as Public Relations Officer of the Police College of Information Technology, Kobape, Ogun State, in addition to holding several operational and administrative positions across the country.
His previous postings include Operations Officer at the Maisandari Division in Yobe State, Area Crime Officer at the Umuahia Area Command in Abia State, Staff Officer at the IGP Secretariat, Force Headquarters, Second-in-Command of the 50 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Kubwa, and Officer-in-Charge of the Force Headquarters Situation Room, where he coordinated the dissemination of crime and security information nationwide.
The statement quoted the Inspector-General as expressing confidence in Iniedu’s capacity to lead the Force Public Relations Department, noting that his wealth of experience and professional background would further strengthen the police’s strategic communication architecture and enhance engagement with members of the public.
Insist state policing must align with federalism, citizens’ rights as governors deepen talks on constitutional review, energy transition, agriculture, social protection
The 36 state governors under the umbrella of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum have renewed their support for the establishment of state police and sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s power sector, signalling fresh momentum for key constitutional and economic restructuring efforts.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Forum’s second meeting held on Wednesday, where the governors deliberated on security, energy, nutrition, agriculture and development partnerships affecting the country.
According to the communiqué, the governors engaged in extensive consultations with Attorneys-General across the states to review proposed constitutional amendments relating to state policing and other governance reforms.
They stressed that any framework for state police must be “constitutionally sound, consistent with federalism, and protective of citizens’ rights,” adding that ongoing legal consultations would help shape a unified and stronger position for the states ahead of national engagement.
The Forum noted that the collaborative review process with legal advisers was already producing inputs expected to strengthen the collective stance of states on security restructuring in the country.
On social development, the governors received a presentation from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on progress under the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative, aimed at tackling malnutrition at the grassroots.
They reaffirmed their commitment to improving nutrition outcomes across Nigeria, particularly in reducing child malnutrition, and expressed support for the ongoing consideration of the National Nutrition Bill.
The governors also called for sustained engagement with stakeholders to strengthen the legal and institutional framework guiding nutrition governance nationwide.
In another briefing, the Forum was updated by the World Bank Country Office on the proposed Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria (FY2026–2032), alongside the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme.
The AGROW initiative is designed to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, attract private sector investment, improve food security, and support early childhood development interventions across participating states.
The governors expressed support for continued collaboration with the Federal Government, the World Bank and development partners, while endorsing state-specific interventions aimed at ensuring effective implementation and measurable impact.
They further urged stronger inter-sectoral coordination in health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and social protection systems to improve outcomes for citizens.
On energy reform, the Forum considered the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a plan to expand electricity access through decentralised solar generation integrated into a national transmission backbone.
The governors noted the initiative’s potential to improve energy security, deepen industrialisation, strengthen state electricity markets and accelerate economic growth across the federation.
Reaffirming their commitment to power sector reforms, the governors pledged sustained collaboration with stakeholders to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity, describing energy reform as central to job creation, productivity and national development.
The meeting ended with a renewed resolve by the governors to deepen cooperation on reforms seen as critical to economic stability, security restructuring and improved welfare for Nigerians.
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