Olowu of Owu Kingdom Launches Agricultural Estate to Tackle Youth Unemployment
The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Saka Matemilola, recently announced plans to establish an Agricultural Estate aimed at boosting food production and creating job opportunities for the nation’s unemployed youth.
During the unveiling at the Odun Omo Olowu 2024 festival, he highlighted the initiative’s cooperative structure, which will allow participation in various agricultural activities, including poultry, pig farming, fisheries, and crop cultivation.
In conjunction with this agricultural initiative, he is also set to launch the Olowu Hope Initiative, a non-governmental organization focused on enhancing socio-economic development in the Owu Kingdom.
This organization will begin by providing daily meals for 1,000 schoolchildren in selected primary schools in Abeokuta, with plans to expand the program to serve 3,000 children in the coming years. Additionally, the initiative aims to offer microcredit support to women and healthcare insurance for at least 1,000 individuals by year’s end.
The monarch emphasized the importance of these efforts in addressing food production challenges and fostering agricultural entrepreneurship. By allocating at least three hectares of land for the Agricultural Estate and collaborating with government agencies, the aim is to create sustainable job opportunities and improve food security in the region.
The annual Odun Omo Olowu festival serves as a platform to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Owu people while promoting unity and development. This year’s event will feature free medical services for over a thousand attendees, cultural displays, and the conferment of chieftaincy titles, with dignitaries such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo expected to attend the grand finale on Saturday.