Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and other discussants at the second anniversary Coronation symposium of the Olowu of Owu-Abeokuta kingdom Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola have come up with various practical solutions on how to ensure sustainable development in communities across Nigeria for economic growth
Duke who was making use of audio -virtual facilities as a guest speaker during the symposium organized in Abeokuta on Friday to also mark the 60th birthday of Oba Matemilola, stressed the need for different communities in the country to identify areas of comparative advantages and concentrate energy on such areas, so as to create jobs opportunities along the value chains for people to sustain development of such communities
The former governor who also identified the critical role of traditional rulers in mobilizing their people for such sustainable development in various communities, cited sample of how his administration developed the tourism and economic potentials of Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State and the people in the community were used to sustain development through creation of jobs opportunities along the value chains of such project
He added that the model adopted by his administration between 1999 and 2007 in Cross River for the Obudu Cattle Ranch could also be replicated in communities in Ogun State where they have comparative advantage in the production of cassava in Nigeria seen as largest producer in the world
Duke who commended the various initiatives of Oba Matemilola in education, health and other critical sectors in ensuring development of Owu-Abeokuta kingdom, stressed the need for establishment of marketing board to provide ready market, particularly for Cassava and other crops with comparative advantages where farmers and other members of the community would benefit maximally to ensure sustainable development and economic activities
Chairman of the event, Prof. Tunji Olaopa setting the tone for discussion of the symposium theme "Sustainable Development: Lessons For Community Growth In Nigeria", lauded the exemplary leadership style of Oba Matemilola in ensuring sustainable development in Owu-Abeokuta kingdom through various legacy projects executed in communites within the kingdom
He urged other traditional rulers to emulate the forthright leadership style of Olowu to fasttrack socio-economic growth of their respective communities
Prof.Lukeman Adesina, a discussant at the symposium who commended how the likes of Alake of Egbaland, Oba (Dr) Adedotun Gbadebo, Osile of Oke-Ona Egba , Oba (Dr) Adedapo Tejuoso and Oba Matemilola of Owu-Abeokuta kingdom brought radical development in their respective communities, emphasized the need for technology transfer from other countries that could be adopted to sustain development in local communities
Other discussants, Prof.Taibat Lawal of University of Lagos and Dr.Akinlabi Salam stressed the importance of documentation of traditional knowledge and various developmental efforts of previous traditional rulers to serve as references for future development of communities in the country
Prof Taibat called for a review of Land Use Act which vested so much power in the goovernors, saying communities should have control over lands to ensure rapid economic growth while Dr. Akinlabi called for upgrading of the palace library in Owu-Abeokuta kingdom, which must include documentation of various initiatives of Oba Matemilola whose reign in the past two years has transformed Owu communities across Ogun State
Similarly Dr.Feyi Ademola-Adeoye, a gender advocate, called for involvement of stakeholders, particularly women whom she described as a valuable asset in ensuring sustainable development in the community while Prof.Funmilayo Braide pointed out that no sustainable development would take place without sustainance of economic activities of local communities
Prof. Braide was particularly worried about the threats facing production of local fabric " Adire and Kampala being adulterated by foreigners which must be stopped by government, so that effort of local women whom she described as "Unlettered Women would be in vain
Another discussant, Asiwaju stressed the need between the local government and traditional rulers to ensure sustainable development in various communities across the country
She called for special package for traditional rulers from government to encourage the likes of Oba Matemilola to do more for the development of Owu-Abeokuta kingdom
Highpoints of the event included presentation of special gifts to discussants and posthumous awards to prominent sons and daughters who contributed to development of Owu-Abeokuta kingdom during their lifetime and special cultural dance to mark the 60th birthday of Oba Matemilola
Senator Shuiab Afolabi Salisu representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, former Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola , Osile of Oke-Ona Egba Oba (Dr )Tejuoso, notable film maker, Tunde Kilani amongst other dignataries attended the event
The grand-finale of the second anniversary Coronation holds this Saturday 3rd of August at Oba Odeleye Park Ori-Omi at 10 am while 60th birthday is slated for Sunday 4th of August, 2024 at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library OOPL in Abeokuta
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