The Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, has charged students in Ogun State to become ambassadors of Nigeria’s culture and not dilute their identity in an attempt to conform to foreign cultures.
The monarch gave the charge on Tuesday in Abeokuta at the Olowu Education Pillar Youth Leadership Summit held at the Owu Palace.
Oba Matemilola, who said cultural pride influenced his decision to return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom during the military regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha despite a prestigious career, urged youths to preserve their language and traditions.
“We must not dilute these essential elements of our identity in an attempt to conform to other cultures. Our language, in particular, is fundamental to who we are,” he said.
The monarch told the students, drawn from schools in the state, that they have a role in preserving heritage for future generations.
On peace, he maintained that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of conflict, stressing that disagreements are inevitable in a multicultural society but must be properly managed so diversity does not become a source of crisis.
While speaking on youth leadership, Oba Matemilola said the responsibility of preserving culture and providing leadership does not begin when young people become adults or assume positions of authority, but must begin now.
He charged the students to learn to become responsible leaders and effective ambassadors of culture and traditions, noting that their ability to influence their peers and communicate the value of their heritage can help shape tomorrow’s society.
In her welcome address, Olori Cecilia Matemilola urged the students to make books their friends and pursue knowledge relentlessly.
“What made me who I am is knowledge. Never stop reading. Never stop learning. Life is not all about money; it is also about knowledge,” she said.
“Do not just read for the sake of reading. Read to acquire knowledge. Understand what you read, apply what you learn, and allow that knowledge to transform your life.”
“Your present circumstances do not have to determine your future. You may not know where your journey will take you, but if you remain committed to learning, growing, and working hard, you can achieve far more than you imagine.”
Speaking at the summit, Special Assistant on Education to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Daniel Idowu, described the initiative as laudable and a welcome development, saying it will help nurture youths, build responsibility and increase students’ involvement in society.
He said the programme resonates with the objectives of the Ministry of Education, which has been organising leadership programmes and competitions to build students’ skills, adding that it will reduce crime, boost self-esteem and make learning more competitive.
In her presentation titled “Conflict to Connection: Youth Skills for Dialogue and Non-Violent Resolution,” facilitator Winner Ogogo urged students to adopt non-violent responses in addressing conflicts and embrace peace at all times.
Ogogo stressed that conflict is inevitable but different from violence, noting that achieving peace requires collaborative effort and deliberate choice over confrontation.
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