Resolve unemployment among youths, Obasanjo tells monarchs

Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president, has urged local authorities and traditional leaders to support youth development by providing them with educational opportunities and job training.

The former president called the rise in underemployment and unemployment rates across the country disturbing.

Obasanjo noted that monarchs as well as community leaders, particularly in Ogun State, should collaborate with the government to find a common solution to unemployment and underemployment while speaking at the 13th Gbagura Day as Oluwo Oje, a leader of the Gbagura community, in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, on Saturday.

He emphasized that if unemployment is not addressed, the level of insecurity in the nation will worsen.

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.”