The Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi has declared that Nigerian children since Independence have been greatly marginalised by various governmental policies.
He said the most potent instrument of nation-building is the youth, through qualitative education and social orientation that instil patriotism in them.
Akanbi made the remarks on Monday in Iwo, during this year Children’s Day celebration tagged: 4th Greater Iwo Empire Children’s Day organised by the monarch for students and pupils alike in the three local governments of Iwo, Ayedire, Olaoluwa.
He called for conscious collaboration between the government and traditional institution in propagating social and cultural values that could engender development and political stability.
According to the monarch, such initiative tailored towards consolidating the youth into the mainstream of the society must be emulated by other royal fathers to complement government efforts.
He said:” Creating this type of forum to give sense of belongings to children who have been greatly marginalised for the purpose of interacting with them remains a conscious move to build egalitarian society and prosperous nation through the youth.
“This is exactly what government ought to have been doing constantly to redirect the nation and ensure speedy development and sustainable growth.
“I hope other royal fathers would emulate this type of intervention to help the young generation to be responsible and patriotic “.
The Chairman of organising committee, Evangelist Olatunbosun Alao disclosed that a total of 9, 120 pupils from 300 schools across three local governments in the state attended the programme.
He explained that the level of enthusiasm displayed by the lads was incomparable to the 3rd edition in 2018, adding that more schools were getting more involved.
