Onikoyi calls for greater investment in youths, women, community development

The Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Moses Akinwande Ogundana, has commended the Heart of Gold Support and Care Initiative (HOGSCI) and the Patrick Ejedawe Empowerment Foundation (PEEF) for their commitment to humanitarian service, empowerment and community development.

The monarch spoke at an empowerment programme organised as part of the annual Ogun Onikoyi cultural festival in Ikoyi-Ekiti.

Oba Ogundana, who served as the Royal Father of the Day, at the HOGSCI/PEEF luncheon and fundraiser, advocated sustained efforts to empower youths, women and vulnerable members of the community.

He said such initiatives are essential to grassroots development, adding that he attended the event not only in his traditional capacity but also because he identified with programmes that improve lives and give hope to humanity.

“As a traditional ruler, I consider it part of my responsibility to identify with genuine initiatives that seek to improve lives, strengthen families and contribute positively to society,” he said.

The monarch said empowerment should go beyond the distribution of money or materials, adding that sustainable empowerment must provide people with knowledge, skills, opportunities, resources and confidence to become productive and self-reliant.

He called for stronger collaboration among government, traditional institutions, foundations, philanthropists, corporate organisations and other development partners.

Describing youths as one of Ikoyi-Ekiti’s greatest assets, Oba Ogundana urged them to take advantage of education, vocational training, technology and entrepreneurship.

He advised young people to prepare for available opportunities and aspire to become entrepreneurs, professionals, artisans, innovators and community leaders rather than rely solely on paid employment.

The monarch also commended HOGSCI and PEEF for supporting women, youths and vulnerable people, urging stakeholders to sustain initiatives that promote economic independence, skills development and sustainable livelihoods.

On the cultural festival, Oba Ogundana urged residents to preserve values inherited from their ancestors, including hard work, courage, honesty, communal living, respect and responsibility.

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He said culture could also serve as a tool for economic development, identifying traditional arts and crafts, food, fashion, music, history and festivals as areas capable of creating jobs and attracting visitors to Ikoyi-Ekiti.

Ogundana called for stronger partnerships among the traditional institution, government, foundations, philanthropists, corporate organisations, individuals and members of the Ikoyi-Ekiti diaspora.

According to him, no single institution can achieve meaningful development alone, adding that the collaboration among HOGSCI, PEEF and the traditional institution demonstrated the impact of shared commitment.