The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, says he has set aside a special fund to rehabilitate youths, especially those seen as thugs in his domain.
Oluwo, in a statement on Wednesday by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, said the era of raising thugs in Iwoland is over, assuring the youth of his support for their career.
He said as part of efforts to set a new pace for 2021, he had concluded arrangements to host Iwoland youths on Thursday to orientate, sensitize and educate them on the need to redirect their energy on promising engagements.
He asked promoters of violence in Iwoland to look elsewhere, saying he remained committed to launching Iwo as the most peaceful and business-friendly town in Nigeria.
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He stated: “You’ve seen me visiting the neglected, immobile aged under their roofs while I equally feed the orphans in my palace. I want to extend the same gesture to the youth called thugs. Some of these people are neglected and derogatorily judged as nuisance. As a father, I must ensure they’re properly integrated into the system and progress of Iwoland. To achieve the rehabilitation target, I’ve set aside a fund to promote their talent.
“I want to host, wine, dine and exchange words of hope with them. The era of raising thugs for destructive purpose is gone. The era is dead. I want to give promoters of thuggery in Iwoland a red card. Iwoland is a place of hope. We want to see our youth been part of the process. We’ll ensure Iwoland becomes the bastion of peace in Iwoland.
“The orphans , widows and the less privileged can join the session. There will be food and drink for all and sundry at the event”.