From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi says youths’ anger and hunger should be pacified with supports in form of training, mentorship and other empowerment initiatives.
The Arole Oduduwa disclosed this during the commencement of his fifth year coronation anniversary and graduation of Ojaja II Fashion Training Institute(OFTI) students in Ile-Ife.
Ooni explained that youths are angry because they are hungry and the only way to get them out of this anger is to continue to empower them.
“In line with the celebration of my 5th year on the throne, I have mapped out plans to empower 5,000 youths to be financially independent and be able to feed others.
“I hereby call on Nigerian leaders; political, traditional and religious leaders to know that it is now a necessity to empower the youths. Out of our earnings, let us dedicate part to the empowerment of youths in our areas. We must consider this as a necessity and what should be done on a regular basis.
“We just had a sample of youth restiveness and it should be a lesson to all of us that nobody can handle their anger, so it is about time that we know that it is unwise to keep money in the bank while the needy continue to wallow in poverty.
Speaking on if constitutional roles be assigned to traditional rulers, Ooni explained that such would hasten Nigeria’s journey to prosperity, as traditional rulers remain the closest to the people.
“We were with President Muhammadu Buhari two weeks ago and the issue was discussed and we are making progress. We have roles to play, we are not competing with them and I believe that we shall get there.” The Ooni added.
At the event, 65 youths who successfully completed their trainings as fashion designers were empowered with instruments and equipment procured by the Ooni, with support from the International Breweries, Ilesa and other partners.
In her speech, the Corporate Affairs Manager, International Breweries, Ilesa, Mrs. Stella Sawyer described the programme as laudable, commending the Ooni for the initiative.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Comfort Adebisi thanked the Ooni for the gift of new working equipment and the training which she described as the best.
Earlier before their repatriation, the ladies who are 55 in number got financial assistance and other aids from the Ooni after a video went viral online through which the ladies cried for help.
Speaking on behalf of the ladies, Oluwaseun Omolara explained that the Ooni saved her and her colleagues from the claws of premature deaths as they were living in dehumanizing conditions before the interventions of the Ooni.