The Olowu of Owu kingdom, Abeokuta, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola, Towulade of Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran and others during the briefing to herald 2026 Odun Omo Olowu Festival.
The Towulade of Owu Akinale in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Oluseyi Adediran, has warned youths against selling their votes or allowing politicians to use them for campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The traditional ruler gave the warning during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 Odun Olowu Festival, urging young Nigerians to prioritise credible leadership and national development over immediate financial gains.
Adediran advised youths to scrutinise the backgrounds, track records and credentials of political candidates before deciding whom to support, stressing that electoral decisions should be guided by merit, character and competence rather than money.
“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 monarch expressed concern that financial inducements could compromise the ability of young people to elect credible leaders, warning that exchanging votes for money could mortgage their future and undermine the country’s development.
According to him, youths must recognise that their votes are powerful instruments for determining the quality of leadership and should not be sacrificed for temporary benefits.
“Temporary money is nothing. They should not allow themselves to be used for temporary money,” Adediran warned.
He urged parents, teachers and community leaders to take greater responsibility for the upbringing and education of young people, noting that the values instilled in them would go a long way in determining the future of society.
The traditional ruler also called on eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the 2027 elections, while encouraging 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.
Adediran maintained that building a prosperous nation required responsible political choices, adding that sustainable development would remain elusive if voters continued to prioritise immediate financial rewards over competent leadership.
He urged youths to resist political manipulation and hold aspirants accountable for their promises, records and capacity to deliver good governance.
Speaking earlier, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, identified improved education, better healthcare delivery and job creation as critical measures for addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, urging Nigerians to work collectively towards building a better future.
Matemilola said expanding access to education, strengthening healthcare services, supporting enterprise growth and creating opportunities for young people were essential to national development.
He disclosed that the Owu Heritage Initiative, 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 participated in vocational training, while more than 250 women empowerment projects had been undertaken. The initiative’s clean-water projects, he said, had reached over 80,000 people in 50 communities.
Matemilola also cited the renovation and commissioning of Owu Igosun Primary Health Centre and ongoing work on the Olomore Hospital project as part of efforts to improve community healthcare.
“Let us continue to promote education, improve our healthcare, support enterprise growth, protect our environment and create opportunities for the next generation,” he said.
Matemilola urged members of the kingdom to preserve their cultural heritage and uphold the values of unity, good character and community 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,” he said.
The 2026 Odun Olowu Festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage and unity of the Owu people, features several activities, including interfaith prayers, youth sporting events and a symposium.
Other programmes lined up for the festival include the groundbreaking ceremony for the Owu Muslim Hospital, visits to Apomu, Erunmu, Orile Ifo and Abule Owu, the Ogbe Festival, project commissioning, chieftaincy installations and the Ajibosin colloquium, among others.