By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, and the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Adediran Oluseyi, have charged Nigerian youths, to embrace responsible citizenship, prioritise community development and make informed political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While Oba Matemilola identified improved education, better healthcare delivery and job creation as critical measures for addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, Oba Adediran cautioned youths against allowing politicians to exploit them for campaigns or induce them with money to secure political support.

The traditional rulers spoke on Monday, at a press conference, as part of activities marking the 2026 Odun Omo Olowu festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Oba Matemilola stressed the need for collective action to build a prosperous society, noting that expanding access to quality education, strengthening healthcare services, supporting enterprise development and creating opportunities for young people were essential to national growth.

He disclosed that the Owu Heritage Initiative (OHI), through collaborations with more than 10 strategic partners, had impacted over 200,000 people across its four pillars of intervention.

According to him, the initiative had provided educational support to more than 800 senior secondary school students, distributed over 13,000 school meals and conducted more than 2,000 medical outreaches.

He added that 135 youths had benefited from vocational training, while more than 250 women empowerment projects had been undertaken to improve livelihoods and promote economic inclusion.

The monarch further disclosed that the initiative’s clean-water projects had reached more than 80,000 people in 50 communities.

On healthcare delivery, Oba Matemilola cited the renovation and commissioning of the Owu Igosun Primary Health Centre and ongoing work on the Olomore Hospital project as evidence of efforts to improve access to healthcare within the community.

He called on individuals, community leaders and stakeholders to support initiatives that would improve living standards and create a more sustainable future.

“Let us continue to promote education, improve our healthcare, support enterprise growth, protect our environment and create opportunities for the next generation,” he said.

The monarch also urged members of the Owu Kingdom to preserve their cultural heritage and uphold the values of unity, good character and community development.

He said the responsibility of preserving the kingdom’s legacy extended beyond celebrating the achievements of its forebears to sustaining their contributions through meaningful development.

“Our heritage is both a gift and a responsibility. We honour our forebears not only by remembering their achievements, but also by building upon them,” Oba Matemilola said.

In his remarks, the Towulade of Owu Akinale, Oba Adediran Oluseyi, warned youths against allowing politicians to use them for campaigns or offer them money in exchange for political support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He urged young Nigerians to scrutinise the backgrounds, records and credentials of candidates before deciding whom to support, stressing that electoral choices should be based on competence, character and proven achievements rather than temporary financial benefits.

Oba Adediran advised youths to examine the antecedents and track records of individuals seeking public office, noting that voters needed to understand the character, capacity and credibility of candidates before entrusting them with leadership responsibilities.

“Our youths should not be used in any form for political campaigns. They should sit down and go through the profiles of the people they are voting for. Who are they? Where are they coming from? What have they done that you have to vote for them?” he said.

The traditional ruler expressed concern that financial inducements could distract young people from their responsibility to elect credible leaders, warning that exchanging political support for money could undermine the country’s future.

He urged parents, teachers and community leaders to pay greater attention to the upbringing and education of young people, saying the values instilled in them would ultimately shape the society they would build.

According to him, youths must take their future seriously and resist pressure to exchange their votes for short-term financial gains.

“Temporary money is nothing. They should not allow themselves to be used for temporary money,” he said.

Oluseyi likened responsible voting to laying a solid foundation for the future, arguing that sustainable national development would remain difficult without informed electoral choices.

He therefore urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), participate actively in the 2027 general elections and encourage others to exercise their civic responsibilities.

“Get your PVC. On election day, go there and do your bidding. Encourage others to vote. That should be your assignment,” he said.

Meanwhile, activities lined up for the 2026 Odun Olowu festival include interfaith prayers, youth sporting events, a symposium and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Owu Muslim Hospital.

Other programmes include visits to Apomu, Erunmu, Orile Ifo and Abule Owu; the Ogbe Festival and project commissioning; chieftaincy installations; the Oritafisewe and awards event; and the Ajibosin Colloquium.

The activities are expected to provide opportunities for cultural celebration, community engagement, reflection on the kingdom’s history and the promotion of development initiatives across Owu communities.