Youths of Ondo Kingdom in Ondo State under their umbrella body, Ondo Ekimogun Youths Congress have met with relevant stakeholders and demanded for immediate interventions in order to cushion the hardship forced on them by the economic downtown in the country and community.
They made this call at a meeting held at the Palace of the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo.
The meeting had in attendance community leaders and leaders of various trade unions in the community. It gave the Youths led by their President, Comrade Kayode Folajogun an opportunity to hear from the leaders and make their position known to them.
Speaking at the meeting, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo emphasized the need to have a round table discussing over the dwindling state of the country and kingdom’s economy.
He added that it is important to have such discussion in order to avert possible dangers that could result from the looming industrial action threatened by labour unions in the country.
Speaking on the inflation that has hit the price of food items in the community, market leaders lamented that the inflation is killing their businesses with low patronage.
They described how fuel subsidy removal has affected the prices of their goods and implore the government to take immediate decisions to stabilize the economy for the benefit of all.
Fresh and frozen food sellers also explained how the epileptic power supply to the community has continued to send most of their members out of business and having negative influence on the price of their goods.
Mubarak Sanni, who represented Hausa Grain Traders Association in Ondo explained that several factors are affecting the prices of their goods in the community.
He described how factors like high cost of transportation and hoarding of goods by some marketers are adding to the inflation of prices.
He also highlighted how the ban on exporting food items from some Northern states to other parts of the country is playing a significant role in the problem and urged traditional leaders and government at all levels to help salvage the situation.
Nata patron in Ondo East and West, Mr Ifeolu Akinboboye spoke on poor electricity and high fuel price, he encouraged everyone to practise farming to ease the hunger in the land. He also implored the government to open boarders.
Most of the trade union leaders pointed at issues like tax, transportation and other reasons as factors making significant contributions to the inflation and hardship in the community.
Youth President, Engineer Kayode Folajogun implored the trade union leaders to shun any act of intentionally inflating prices of commodities in the community for personal gains.
He also called on able bodied persons in the community to subscribe to farming in order to make food items available to cater for themselves, their families and residents of the community.
He also cited disturbance from herdsmen as a major reason many people could not embrace farming and called for the strengthening of security networks in the kingdom.
Engineer Kayode Folajogun implored that the youths be empowered with needed equipments and funding to build their farming enterprise successfully.
He suggested that Solar power installation be encouraged and seen as a major solution to the epileptic power supply that is crippling businesses and worsening the hardship in the community.
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo appreciated everyone for their contributions assured them that measures will be put in place to address issues discussed while regular updates will be given to the kingdom.
The meeting was attended by the Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Simeon Oguntimehin and other High Chiefs of the kingdom.
