The Mogaji of Omotara Okugbaja family in the Ita Baale area of Ibadan, Chief Oladejo Moruf Rufai has appealed to youths in Ibadan to shun all forms of social vices that can tarnish the image of their families.

Rufai made this declaration on Saturday while speaking during his coronation ceremony held at the front of Baale Oyesile Olugbode’s palace in Ibadan.

The event was attended by the Olori Alaagba of Ibadanland, Chief Ojeniyi Akintomide Okugbaja, Mogaji Olugbode, Chief Teslim Abiodun Olugbode and other Mogajis among others.

Our correspondent recalls that Rufai was installed as Mogaji of Omotara family by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin on Monday 14th October, 2024.

Rufai while speaking, appealed to youths in the ancient city to shun all forms of violence, drug abuse, thuggery and other social vices that can put their names and names of the family in disrepute.

The traditional title holder also tasked parents to endeavour to give their children all the necessary support they need to compete with their colleagues across the globe.

“I wish to thank all our fathers and mothers who are present here and those who are unavoidably absent due to one reason or the other. I will extend my greetings to all my brothers and sisters who are here and those who are not here at the moment, my kinsmen who came from far and near to witness this occasion, I thank you all.

“I will also use this opportunity to pray to God Almighty to grant the souls of our kinsmen, the departed souls within our family who have passed on to the glory, eternal rest. May their souls continue to rest in perfect peace, Amen.

“The journey to my installation as Mogaji of Omotara family by our father, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin on Monday 14th October 2024, started when you all endorsed and appointed me as your Mogaji in a selection process conducted at the front of our family house on Sunday, 1st September 2024.

“My plans are to improve the standard of our family, our compound and Ibadan in all areas of human endeavours. I want to appeal to our kinsmen to continue to train their children in God’s ways. Those who are schooling should be given appropriate attention for them to excel. Those who are learning trade or vocation should also be supported and given the appropriate support to be an independent person. No knowledge is a waste. I will appeal to you to take the training of our children seriously because they are the future of our family.

“We should endeavour to give our children all the necessary support they need in order to compete with their colleagues across the globe and I pray that God Almighty will give us the wealth to do so. I want to appeal to our youths to shun violence, drug abuse, thuggery and other social vices that can put their names and names of the family in disrepute.

“Lastly, I want to appeal to all and sundry to join hands with me to bring the name of our family on the world map for positive things”.

Shun violence, vices that can tarnish your family image – Mogaji of Okugbaja