At a recent meeting held today Wednesday, October 16th 2024, between the Youths of Remo Land and the executives leadership of Remo Growth and Development Foundation (RGDF) focused on the upcoming Remo Day 2024 celebrations scheduled for December 20th to 27th, 2024, Prince Wole Sowole; the Vice Chairman of the RGDF, who represented the Chairman of the Foundation; Otunba Seni Adetu, at the meeting, warmly chaired the meeting and welcomed the Youths to the venue at the Royal Events Hall in Akarigbo Palace, Sagamu area of Ogun State.
Addressing the audience, Prince Sowole emphasized the importance of their support for this historic event and highlighted the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi’s, commitment to youth inclusion.
The Remo Day festivities will feature various activities, including art competitions and informative sessions detailing the history of the Remo people, tracing their migration from the Iremo Quarters of Ile Ife. Historical insights will also celebrate the contributions of eminent personalities such as Tai Solarin, Reverend Mellor, Chief Adebutu Kensington and many others to the development of Remo Land, as well as culminating in a grand finale brimming with cultural events and festivities.
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“However, there was palpable discontent among the youth present”, Comr. Gbenga Odumosu, former President of the Remo Youth Association (RYA), voiced concerns over the exclusion of youth representatives from planning the event, calling for greater youth involvement in all discussions concerning Remo heritage. He remarked that without their input, the event could fall short of the community spirit exemplified at the Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode.
Comr. Ronke popularly known as Empress MO echoed these sentiments, criticizing the RGDF for its inadequate focus on youth development. Comr. Adebisi Jolaoso; a former Secretary, and Stakeholder in the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Sagamu Chapter, proposed the re-creation of a Youth Directorate within the RGDF, advocating for a structured representation of youth interests and concerns.
Further amplifying the call for inclusivity, the Remo Youth Association (RYA) Chairman Comr. Bidemi Solarin expressed disappointment over the lack of youth representation at the Remo Day 2024 event, particularly in the recent press conference for Remo Day. He urged RGDF leaders to be vigilant against individuals posing as youth representatives without rightful backing from the RYA.
In response, Prince Wole Sowole acknowledged the absence of established sub-committees for the Remo Day events and addressed the lack of a Youth Directorate in the current RGDF framework. He pledged to communicate these concerns to RGDF executives, ensuring that youth representatives would be included moving forward, and stressed that the youth had not been, and cannot be, sidelined from the foundation’s and community’s initiatives.
Reassuring the youth, Sowole stated that Remo Day would become an annual celebration, in line with the wishes of the Kabiesi, and apologized for any misunderstandings that may have arisen, while he also urges the Youths to stop following news allegedly to be rumors about the foundation. He therefore charged the Youths to always verify news about the foundation from the right source for public disseminations.
Comr. Cris Olokodana calls for more strong collaborations between the RGDF and the Youths, advocating for youth-led initiatives for youth-centered programs. Comrade Olawale in his reactions called for improved communications between the foundation and the Youths in the community, emphasizing the need for a cohesive dialogue.
Despite attempts to foster understanding, the meeting concluded in a deadlock, with RGDF executives, led by Prince Sowole, leaving the youth feeling unheard.
Thereafter, Prince Lanre Oyemade extended a heartfelt appeal to the youth on behalf of the foundation, promising swift intervention to address the issues raised during the meeting. The call for unity and cooperation remains a critical focal point as the community prepares for Remo Day.
Also in attendance at the meeting are Head of the Foundation’s Media/Publicity Directorate; Omooba Abiola Ogundeko, the Acting Secretary of the foundation; Prince Soile, the Youth Coordinator’s from the three local government that made up Remo Land, Youth Stakeholders across Remo Land and many other Youths from various communities in Remo Land.