Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged traditional rulers and community leaders to be involved in youth development through skills acquisition and vocational training.
The former President described the increase in the level of unemployment and underemployment nationwide as alarming.
Obasanjo, who spoke at the 13th Gbagura Day as Oluwo Oje – a leader of Gbagura community in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on Saturday, noted that monarchs as well as community leaders, especially in Ogun State should work with the government to find a common solution to unemployment and underemployment.
He emphasised that failure to tackle unemployment will worsen the insecurity being faced in the country.
He said, “Gbagura Day is indeed a celebration of unity and the unity must be extended to the entire Egbaland (Abeokuta). There must be unity in Egba and among our Obas (monarchs). What our monarchs should be doing now is to be more united and develop Egbaland.
“You must develop our youths. Our Obas should find a way of developing them through skills acquisition, vocational training and education to make them employable and independent.”
Also, Chairman of Sifax Group, Taiwo Afolabi, who is the co-sponsor of the 13th Gbagura Day, corroborated the former president’s statement on the need for Egba and Yoruba monarchs to be more united.
Afolabi said, “Maintaining unity and togetherness is the key element in achieving any kind of progress as a community. I urge you all to support and pray for His Royal Highness, Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre, Agura of Gbagura and the Council of Chiefs as they discharge their duties as leaders.”
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