Ogun monarchs charges Nigerian youths to embrace cultural heritage, responsible leadership

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom we, Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, has urged Nigerian youths to preserve their cultural heritage, promote peaceful coexistence and embrace responsible leadership, stressing that education, good character and respect for indigenous values are critical to building a progressive society.

The monarch made the call at the official launch of the Olowu Education Pillars and Youth Leadership Summit, organised to inspire young people through education, cultural awareness, leadership development and responsible citizenship.

Speaking on the theme, “Peace, Leadership, Education and Heritage,” Oba Matemilola said the initiative was anchored on three fundamental pillars: cultural identity, peaceful coexistence and responsible leadership.

The programme brought together students from eight secondary schools, comprising public and private institutions, with the aim of equipping young people with the knowledge, values and leadership skills required to contribute meaningfully to society.

Reflecting on his personal experience, the monarch recalled his decision to return to Nigeria after establishing a successful professional career in the United Kingdom, describing his cultural roots and national identity as enduring sources of inspiration.

He said encounters with Nigerians proudly dressed in traditional attire at airports in the UK reinforced his sense of belonging and strengthened his resolve to remain connected to his homeland.

According to him, the quest for international recognition must not come at the expense of one’s cultural identity.

“We must constantly remind ourselves of the importance of preserving our language, culture, traditions and way of life. We must not dilute these essential elements of our identity in an attempt to conform to other cultures,” he said.

The monarch particularly underscored the importance of indigenous languages, describing them as essential to people’s self-esteem, cultural consciousness and sense of belonging.

He urged parents, teachers and community leaders to ensure that children grow up appreciating their languages, traditions and cultural values, warning against the gradual erosion of indigenous identity.

On peaceful coexistence, Oba Matemilola called for greater investment in traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms, maintaining that sustainable development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, mutual understanding and tolerance.

He disclosed that his administration had established an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) team to resolve disputes within the community by combining traditional mediation practices with contemporary approaches to conflict management.

According to him, the initiative has successfully resolved some disputes that had remained unresolved for as long as 20 years, while efforts are ongoing to settle other longstanding disagreements.

He explained that several conflicts that could have resulted in prolonged police investigations and costly court proceedings had been resolved through dialogue, compromise and mutual understanding.

“The beauty of this approach is that it encourages understanding, compromise and mutual agreement. It is not simply about determining who wins and who loses. It is about finding common ground and arriving at a resolution that all parties can accept,” the monarch said.

He added that the involvement of several impartial individuals in the mediation process helped ensure fairness, accommodate different perspectives and minimise the possibility of bias.

Oba Matemilola also stressed that diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than division, warning that communities constantly embroiled in conflict would find it difficult to achieve meaningful development.

On leadership, the monarch described positions of authority as opportunities to serve humanity and improve people’s welfare, rather than avenues for personal recognition, prestige or the acquisition of titles.

He identified education, healthcare, skills acquisition and environmental protection as critical sectors that responsible leaders must prioritise in their efforts to improve society.

“Leadership is not simply about occupying a position or holding a title. It is about accepting responsibility and using the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” he declared.

He maintained that the true measure of leadership was the positive impact made on the lives of the people, noting that while titles and positions might eventually be forgotten, the contributions of selfless leaders would remain in people’s memories.

Addressing the students, Oba Matemilola urged them to begin developing leadership qualities from an early age, reminding them that they were already custodians and ambassadors of their cultural heritage.

He charged them to take pride in their identity, preserve their indigenous languages and traditions, promote peaceful coexistence and prepare themselves to assume leadership responsibilities in their various spheres of influence.

“These responsibilities do not begin when you become adults or assume positions of authority. They begin now,” he told the students.

“You must be proud of your heritage, committed to peace and prepared to provide leadership wherever you find yourselves.”

The monarch subsequently presented educational materials and gifts to the participating schools, expressing satisfaction with the participation of representatives from 10 government secondary schools. He urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunities offered by the initiative.

Earlier, the convener of the summit, Olori Cecilia Naadensua Matemilola, challenged the students to cultivate a strong reading culture, embrace continuous learning and develop the determination and spirit of service required to succeed in life.

Sharing her personal experiences, the Olori recounted how the death of her father when she was 15 dramatically altered her family’s circumstances, forcing her to leave an expensive private school for a government-owned institution.

However, she attributed her ability to overcome the difficulties to her passion for reading and determination to acquire knowledge, which she described as the foundation of her personal and professional achievements.

“My books kept me going. I developed a deep love for reading and was always reading. My family affectionately called me a bookworm,” she recalled.

She urged the students to regard books as powerful instruments of personal transformation rather than mere academic requirements, explaining that knowledge could open doors, create opportunities and change people’s circumstances.

The Olori also disclosed that her leadership journey began in primary school, where she served as a prefect, before taking up various leadership responsibilities throughout her secondary education.

She said her interest in leadership was further strengthened by reading books that exposed her to the principles of responsibility, influence and positive contributions to society.

By the age of 17, she had also begun supporting individuals and families in need, explaining that helping others gradually became an important part of her personal values.

Recounting her international career journey, Olori Matemilola said she eventually relocated to Finland, where she did menial jobs before progressing into the education sector.

She disclosed that her career subsequently took her through various positions, including teacher, headteacher, manager and director, before she eventually became the chief executive officer of her own company.

On her academic and professional accomplishments, she said she had obtained three master’s degrees in Law, Healthcare and Education, alongside two other degrees, more than 30 diplomas and several professional certificates.

She also revealed that about 1,200 poems she wrote during her childhood had been published in the United Kingdom, expressing delight that the young participants were already showing interest in writing and creative expression.

According to her, writing provides young people with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, organise their thoughts, develop their creativity and discover their individual strengths.

“What made me who I am, and what has helped many of us become who we are today, is knowledge,” she said.

“Never stop reading. Never stop learning. Life is not all about money; it is also about knowledge. Knowledge gives you the capacity to grow, to make informed decisions, to recognise opportunities and to transform your circumstances.”

She urged the students not to allow their present circumstances to limit their aspirations, emphasising that determination, hard work, resilience and continuous learning could help them overcome challenges and achieve remarkable success.

“Make books your friends. 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,” she advised.

The Olori further reminded the students that success was a gradual process that required sacrifice, perseverance, discipline and a lifelong commitment to learning.

Schools that attended the launching included Divine Laureata College, African Church Grammar School,
Rohi College, Ultimate Landmark College, Gateway Secondary, Taidob College, Asero, De Dame’s College, and FCE Model College, Osiele.

Patron of the Club is Oba Saka Matemilola, the matron is Olori Cecilia Naadensua Matemilola, while the Club coordinators are
Bello Busayo, Benson Opeyemi, Akinola Temitope, Anifowose Mayowa and Winner Ogogo.