Chief Adeyemi Soladoye, the immediate past President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in Nigerian youth development during the 2023 Oke-Odo Day launch in Ibadan, Oyo State. He stressed that Nigeria should pivot towards preparing the youth for the future rather than solely creating opportunities for them. According to Soladoye, nurturing the younger generation to tackle the changing dynamics of the world is pivotal for national progress.
Advocating a strategic approach to communal and human development, Soladoye addressed the audience at Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo. He proposed that instead of simply offering financial incentives or bursaries, communities should focus on instilling fundamental values in the youth. This includes adopting cost-effective, sustainable projects designed to endure for generations, thereby fostering long-term growth and development within the community.
“If Ibadan will regain her greatness in no distant future, the journey will start from the transformation of three affiliate clubs of the CCII from socio-cultural clubs to community welfare advocacy groups. These are the Oke-Odo Club, Ido Descendants Union, and Lagelu Indigenes Club, Ona Ara. The most difficult part of any job is the starting. When we dare to conquer, providence normally sets in. I wish the Oke-Odo community a successful re-positioning on Ibadanland.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, who is also the Chairman of BOVAS Group of Companies, Samson Bamidele, prayed for peace across all sectors of the human community.
Bamidele said, “It is time to build Oke-Odo House in Ibadan. I have a strategy for doing this and I educate people. Be involved, because I am involved, I shall succeed. All I am involved in succeeds. Importantly, always ask if what you engage in tallies with the wish of God.
“Because we are all involved, we shall succeed. Do not say because you donated today, you will not contribute any more in the future. We have to keep doing it. Celebrate yourself, do not undermine the interest of Ibadan. We should keep faith in one another,” he stated.
The president of the club, Kola Kolawole, expressed gratitude for the large turnout of eminent sons and daughters of Ibadan, assuring them of the unalloyed commitment of his team to deliver on the project.
Award recipients were Prof. Victor Lasebikan, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Prof. Soji Adejumo, Dr. Olaide Olaoye, Abiola Alli, Gbadegesin Ibrahim, Bashiru Ajibade and Ayantola Adesegun among others
Dignitaries at the occasion were the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, represented by the Alayunre of Idi Ayunre, Oba Muritala Olumini, former Oyo State Governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, former Head of Service in the state, Ololade Agboola, wife of former Governor, Mutiat Ladoja, represented by Modinat, R.S Oyebanji, Olugbemi Ogunwale, Yusuf Akande, Gbonnka Olubadan, Chief Waheed Ekun, Oyewale Saheed, Kazeem Oladepo, ex-assistant Secretary-General of the club, Tajudeen Salaudeen, Mogaji Lukman Olanlehin, Waheed Adepoju, Tunde Kudaisi, and Senator Sharafadeen Alli.