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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has urged the youth in Nigeria to always believe in the nation and support Nigerian-made products and services.
The first-class Yoruba monarch expressed that everyone should have a strong passion for Nigeria and locally-made products.
He stated this during a visit by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, to the newly completed Ojaja Park in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Friday.
According to him, due to his belief in youth development, thousands of young people are currently employed at the park. He added that all materials used in constructing the park were sourced locally in Nigeria.
He said, “Our project here is a city of its own, covering 100,000 square metres. We are demonstrating what is possible in Nigeria. Practically everything you see here, we know its origin in Nigeria. Our mantra is that at least 90 per cent of materials used are Nigerian-made because some people may think our products are of inferior quality, but that’s not true. Today is the official unveiling of Ojaja City to the world.
“This unveiling is to show everyone in this country that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Great things can happen here, and if we believe in ourselves, like in this project, if we believe that Nigeria and Nigerians can achieve it, then our housing deficit will gradually reduce.
“The number of young people working here is in the thousands. It’s an extensive project, over one hundred thousand square metres, on land that was once abandoned and condemned. Reclaiming it took almost two years, and we’ve seen the strength and capability of the youth involved.”
Speaking further about the park, Oba Ogunwusi explained that it includes various sections, such as residential areas, a school, a shopping mall, hotels, and other facilities — all built in Nigeria by Nigerians.
He said, “We know there is a housing deficit in the country, but we must utilise what we have to achieve results. We need to buy and produce locally, including meeting our housing needs.
“The beauty of this project is that everything is made here. This can truly engage our youth, which is what I represent on this throne. Here is an integrated city with all essentials in one place: a five-star hotel, a game centre, a children’s park, a shopping mall, a school, and residential estates.
“So, our aim is to create a model never seen in Nigeria. People are often sceptical about our products, doubting the quality of Nigerian-made goods. But we are not sceptical; we went all the way. Everything you see here, we know the manufacturers.”
