Ife Grand Resort Is For Youth Development – Ooni Ogunwusi Pledges, Says Not For Social Activities

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has disclosed that the multimillion naira worth Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park, was established for youth development and capacity building.

He made the pledge in Ile-ife at the official opening of the facility, an event which was attended by men of no mean status across the length and breadth of Nigeria and outside its shores.

Ooni Ogunwusi explained that direct employment has been created for over one hundred youths while indirect employment opportunities have equally been created for over five hundred others.

Addressing the gathering through a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the Ooni urged stakeholders especially those in leadership capacities to create platforms capable of engaging the youth productively, to discourage them from involving in criminal acts.

“His Imperial Majesty is sending a strong message through Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park to all of us here that we should engage our youths and offer them dependable mentorship. This is one among several activities of the Arole Oduduwa and I want us all to emulate this enviable gesture.”

On his part, the Ooni lauded the governor for supporting private initiatives and for providing conducive atmosphere for private investments to strive.

Delivering his address, Governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, lauded ‘Ooni’s exemplary passion for socioeconomic development’.

Oyetola said the initiative is in tandem with his administration’s development agenda which is focused on revitalising the economy and stimulating the local socioeconomic indices for maximum growth.

“For anyone familiar with Kabiyesi’s trajectory and passion for youth and socioeconomic development, this indeed would not come as a surprise.

“In 2019, he organised a Summit on Addressing Growing Youth Unemployment in Nigeria: The Significance of Made in Nigeria and Buy Nigeria, to rally Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.

“Ooni Ogunwusi donated motorised Local Fumigators to States across Nigeria during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also partnered with Afe Babalola on clinical research to develop drugs and vaccines to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.

“As a Government, we are immensely proud of your achievements since your assumption of the throne of your forefathers. This sprawling edifice is another worthy feather in this regard.

“I must note that this resort, no doubt, is in tandem with our Administration’s Development Agenda, which is focused on revitalising our economy and stimulating the local economy for maximum growth. This we are doing by leveraging, in the first instance, our comparative advantage in tourism and culture, mining and agriculture.

“Our infrastructure development plan is also carefully targeted at ensuring that we open up the latent economic potential of our towns by ensuring that our people are supported with the requisite social amenities for a decent living.

“Therefore, we are immensely grateful to Kabiyesi for joining forces with us to strengthen our economy. I urge other royal fathers to take a cue from Kabiyesi by using their influence and instrument of office to support the development of our State.

“Let me employ this medium to stress that initiatives such as Ooni is creating and attracting to Ile-Ife will only thrive and be sustainable in an atmosphere of peace. I therefore appeal to our youths and people to continue to allow peace to reign so that they can enjoy the dividends of the enterprise,” he added.

The event had in attendance, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, a former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Deputy Governor of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, ex Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Erelu Olusola Obada, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi.

Also in attendance were traditional rulers, business tycoons, top government functionaries among other dignitaries.