The paramount traditional ruler and Chief Monarch of Yoruba land, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has been conferred and installed as GRAND PATRON of Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (YEN), an association of Nigerian young entrepreneurs and the umbrella body for youth entrepreneurs.

The installation which took place on 16th May, 2017 at the Ooni’s Place, Ile-Ife, Osun State, where the National President Chris Kohol and his National Executives Installed the Imperial Majesty with the position of Grand Patron of the organization.

In turn, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi reiterated his unflinching support for the youths in Nigeria, he further revealed that his position as Grand Patron of the organization has ultimately widen his horizon to promote and support youths through empowerment for sustainable growth and development of Nigeria.

He clearly noted that youth are pivotal in moving the train of development and positively turn around the economy of a nation, adding that it is reasonable for stakeholders across all sectors to put favourable measures, policies, infrastructure in place in order to create conducive working environment, for the youths to contribute their quota to nation building.

The Imperial Majesty who spoke to a delegation of YEN’s National Executives led by the Association’s President, Chris Kohol at His palace in Ife, buttressed on the need for Nigerian youths to unify their hearts for strength and power. For him, “seven out of ten Nigerians are youths both male and female. This is an indication that the country must work with young men and women if it must get her economy in shape”.

The Ooni further revealed strongly that issues bordering on youths are dear to him, hence, he places high premium on the youths: According Ooni “If anybody wants to get my attention, they should just talk about the youths because they have automatically won my heart. People that are close to me know that very clearly because when God brought me to this exalted throne, it was dedicated to the youths not only in Nigeria but across the entire continent of Africa. I am for you, you are for me and for the rest of my life I will serve the youths because am very particular about youth emancipation”.

Again, He emphasized on the importance for all Nigerians to come together as one big happy family and initiate positive things. He said, youths should not be known for negative things rather they should be known for good things like Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (YEN). Youths should be known for progressive and innovative ideas that will benefit the entire country, innovations that will take the country to greater heights. I will tell youths of this country that it is important to pioneer things, when you pioneer things, that’s when you can own those things”.

In a bid to buttress the significance of unity amongst Nigerian youth, the Ooni explained explicitly that the history of Nigeria as a country was championed by Nigerian youths of like minds who worked assiduously with undisputed dedication and fight for the emancipation country. His words:

“How old was the youths of those days when they said no to colonialism? Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and many others of this world all came together between the ages of 25 and 40 to speak with one voice”. Ooni said rhetorically. He further promised to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the Association achieves her lofty goal of youth entrepreneurship development and empowerment nationwide at a faster speed. The Monarch threw his support and blessing to the forthcoming Youth Empowerment Summit 2017, (YES20 17) of the Association in September, 2017.

The President of the Association Mr. Chris Kohol, lauded the efforts and support of Ooni of Ife for his continuous love for the Nigerian youths and also championing youth empowerment and emancipation across the country. Mr. Kohol further thanked the Ooni for accepting the position of Grand Patron of the Association and also throwing his weight behind the association, adding that it will in no small measure help the Association achieve her lofty vision. Mr Kohol appreciated the Ooni in these words: “We are grateful to you, Your Imperial Majesty for the love and support for us and the Nigerian youths. You have proved beyond doubt that the welfare of Nigerian youths is your top priority and you are committed to youth empowerment for the development of Nigeria”.

Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (YEN) is the umbrella body and voice for Nigerian young entrepreneurs that seek to empower youth entrepreneurs with finance, capacity building, network, business tools and also champion the cause of young entrepreneurs at local, regional and national levels to curb unemployment amongst youths in Nigeria and enhance national productivity. The Association is a membership based organization with thousands of members scattered across Nigeria in States and Local chapters.