Obasanjo Urges Collective Action to Engage Youths, Unveils Multi-Purpose Development Centre in Ijebu-Ode

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for concerted efforts to ensure that Nigerian youths are meaningfully engaged and kept off the streets.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo made the call on Tuesday during the unveiling of the Obanta Centre in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The facility, established under the Olusegun Obasanjo Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), houses a cinema, squash and tennis courts, an entrepreneurial hub, and other recreational and training amenities.

Obasanjo explained that the Ijebu-Ode centre is the third of such youth-focused projects initiated by him, following two others located in Abeokuta.

“We have one in Panseke, Abeokuta; another within the OOPL, and now this one here in Ijebu-Ode — the Obanta Centre. More are still on the way,” he said.

The former president emphasized that the initiative aims to engage young people productively while promoting a balanced lifestyle that combines work, learning, and leisure.

“Our commitment is to get youths off the streets. This centre offers hospitality, relaxation, and entertainment facilities where they can learn, socialise, and grow,” he stated. “To live a full life, one must work, rest, relax, and recreate — not just socialise.”

Obasanjo also encouraged Nigerian youths to explore opportunities within their communities to harness their God-given talents for self-reliance, poverty reduction, and national development.

The Director of the OOPL Youth Centre, Mrs. Bisi Kolapo, highlighted that the Obanta Centre features a five-a-side football pitch (which can also serve as a basketball court), volleyball court, swimming pool, two cinema halls including a VIP section, and a gym.

She added that beyond the recreational facilities, the centre provides entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and startup support to empower young people to build sustainable ventures and create employment.

The Chairman of the occasion and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Dr. Sunny Kuku, praised Obasanjo for his enduring contributions to the development of Ijebuland, especially in the areas of health, education, and social welfare.

Kuku described the Obanta Centre as a groundbreaking project that underscores the importance of health and wellness, stating, “When you have good health, wealth will follow. This is the first of its kind in Ijebuland — an exceptional achievement. We thank the former president for his vision and generosity.”