” Through Idealized Influence, the Paramount Ruler embodies the discipline, fairness, and sacrifice he expects from his subjects. Acting with ethical consistency earns him deep legitimacy beyond his royal birthright”.
Every generation witnesses a turning point that defines its future, and for our ancient City in Oyo, that moment is happening right now. Walk down any major corridor today, and the signs of rapid, historic change are unmistakable.
From heavy earthmoving equipment paving new arterial roads to modern utility grids rising along the skyline, our neighborhood is undergoing the most comprehensive infrastructural overhaul in its history.
Cross – section of residents give praises to the Almighty God for bestowing on them
a transformative Royal Father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, “” for his visionary reform, moral courage, institutional modernization, and the ability to unite people around a higher national purpose rather than relying solely on inherited authority.””.
Unlike traditional rulers who focus on maintaining the status quo, Oba Owoade reshapes the political, cultural, and social fabric of their realms.
He looks beyond immediate survival to paint a clear picture of a stronger, modernized future for the kingdom. He articulates a shared destiny that inspires loyalty across different social classes.
The Alaafin actively seeks new knowledge, scientific advancements, and outside perspectives, just as he surrounds himself with innovative thinkers and scholars rather than flattering courtiers.
Through Idealized Influence, the Paramount Ruler embodies the discipline, fairness, and sacrifice he expects from his subjects. Acting with ethical consistency earns him deep legitimacy beyond his royal birthright.
The current wave of development being facilitated by the beloved Monarch spans multiple sectors, addressing decades-old bottlenecks while preparing the ancient City for future population and economic growth.
Among the Alaafin’s unprecedented transformative agenda for the City, which will be subsequently serialised one after the other , is the on-going clearing of thigh bushes around the Oldest Technical College in the Soth- West of the country, The Government Technical College.
The College, which occupied large expanse of land and located at Awe town , in the Afijio.local government area of Oyo State, had before now, not only been overgrown with thick bushes and occupied by dangerous reptiles , by serious constituted serious security threats to both the passersby and the panic- griven residents who.lived in trepidation , as the bushy College was said to have been used by some undesirable element to unleash their criminal onslaughts on unsuspecting residents and passersby.
The clearing exercise is being supervised by the Personal Assistant to the Alaafin, Reverend Dr. Kolade Oladele.
The Government Technical College which was established about 55 years ago, and produced professionals in crafsmanship for the country, has decayed, and seriously begging for the transformation of the ancient City.
Technical education, provides opportunities for the mastery of skills and knowledge in selected occupations, as well as for the development of personality for useful living.
Established in October 1962, the Technical College, Awe, which started with four Departments, later had ten, namely- Agricultural Mechanics, Brick /Blocklaying and Concreting, carpentry and Joinery,
Electrical Installation, Fabrication and Welding, Mechanical Engineering Crafts Practice, Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Painting and Decorating, Vehicle Body Building, and Catering Craft Practice.
But a first time visitor to the college could hardly belief that it had attained over 50 years of existence, due to the deplorable state.At the inception, multi-million naira State of the art equipments were procured for the school by the owner State Government.
Between early 80s and 90s, products of the College were second to none in craftsmanship, as they were adjudged the best both in the public and private sectors. Facilities, personnel were adequate, while admission into the College was keenly contested, as it was the pride of parents to send their children to the college.
The institution was fully residential, as both the students and staff live on campus. Employers of labour rushed for students to serve their industrial
training in their various organizations after graduation. After service, students were promised automatic employment by both the public and organized private sector, for their brilliance and dexterity.
But by late 90s, the story became a saddening one, as the college lost its enviable status due to lack of proper attention by the owner state government[s]. The first major problem was the scrapping of boarding system when the authority knew quite well that the institution was not fenced. This paved the way for stealing and vandalization of equipment and
facilities by marauders.
The Departments were dilapidated, while hostels and staff quarters had become debris and overgrown with thick weeds, thus constituting veritable abode for dangerous reptiles like snakes Unfortunately, stakeholders pointed out that technical colleges play vital roles in the country, as they train and produce technician for industry, impart vital technical skills in the youths, help towards the goal of self employment and job creation, as well as champion struggle towards technological advancement and acquisition.
According to them in separate interviews, “” with revitalization of the college, it can serve as Faculty ofnEngineering and Technology, as an annexe of LAUTECH in Ogbomoso. Besides, the college has facilities and manpower for the Technical
varsity.
” Unarguably, the Technical College, Awe was centre of
excellence in craftsmanship,. This was based on experiences, available tools and equipment, as well as seasoned manpower.
“Coming to the aids of the college will be more beneficial to the state, and
the nation as a whole, as thousands of products of the college are
excelling both in public and private sectors””, stakeholders noted.
To be continued ………….
Bode Durojaiye is the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and the Superior Head of Yorubaland.
