2nd Apero Ilu: Harmony Holdings GMD, Abdulmajeed proposes intergenerational conversation to prepare Offa youths for future

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• ‘You are a worthy Offa ambassador’ – Olofa praises GMD

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Harmony Holdings Limited, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulmajeed has proposed intergenerational conversation as a mechanism to guide and prepare the teeming Offa youths for the future.

He made this proposal at the 2nd Apero Ilu organised by the Distinguished Magazine in collaboration with Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU) Thursday, December 17.

The pro-community event, held at Dr Jonathan Durojaiye Soleye’s Hall, had in attendance representative of the Olofa of Offa, High Chief Joseph Akinola; former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna and Chairman of the occasion, Professor Sulyman Tunji Adeyemi; Vice Chancellor, Summit University, Professor H.O.B. Oloyede among other eminent sons and daughters of Offa land.

Speaking at the event, Abdulmajeed, who is the Special Guest of Honor, commended the legacies and contributions of the founding fathers of Offa, noting that their self-help approach to community development is worthy to sustain.

According to him, “Offa founding fathers gave their all and contributed their quota in ensuring that Offa ranks tall on the trajectory of development. And of course, these founding fathers did not stop at that. They also strived in passing this positive idea of self-help approach to development to their succeeding generation. These founding fathers deserve accolades for their ingenuity. I am talking of the likes of Alh. Aliyu Olatinwo, Alh. Gbadamosi Ijaya, Alh. Ilesanmi Giwa, Alh. Jato, Pa. Abraham Oyediran, Pa. Onawola, Pa. Bilewu, Pa. Oyeleke among others.

“Armed with the relevant orientation, the next generation of the likes of Chief J.S Olawoyin, Chief Emanuel Adesoye, Chief Mrs Adesiyun, Chief Soleye all of blessed memory and the living ones like Prof. Mohammad Jamiu Mosobalaje Oyawoye, Justice Banji Orilonise who are the direct mentees of the previous generation also did their best in keeping the flag of Offa community flying high. Down to the generation that succeeds them which includes the likes of our revered Kabiyesi, Amb. Tunji Olagunju, Vice Admiral Adekeye (Fmr Chief of Naval staff), Chief Tajudeen Owoyemi, Alh. Awa Ibrahim (Brimo), Chief Mrs Serah Alade and so on. Their impact cannot also be overemphasized. They have played and are still playing appreciable roles in stimulating the economy of Offa and making necessary provisions for the teeming population.

“However, I must observe that there currently exists a level of disconnect between the present elderly and celebrated generation and the upcoming one in Offa. The heritage and legacies of our founding fathers have not practically trickled down to the latter generation. This is the missing link which is capable of changing our developmental trajectory negatively with imminent signs all over. There is therefore the need for an ongoing intergenerational conversation like this one to continue to mentor and nurture the upcoming generation of Offa indigenes to get desirable results and sustain the laudable legacies of our fore fathers.

“I believe that the present generation of our elders need to dedicate more intentional efforts to start breeding a successive generation of Offa influencers and professionals in all walks of life who would continue to shine the light of our dear community in all ramifications. The present generation must act as bridge builders in locating the disconnect and making possible the much needed reconnect in the interest of our dear town and its unborn generation.”

The Harmony Holdings helmsman also warned the youths against restiveness and all manner of social vices that are not typical of an average Offa indigene, noting the active participation of today’s youths in cybercrime, advanced fee fraud, prostitution spells doom for the community.

He lauded the giant strides of the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq whom he said has demonstrated to be a true lover of Offa with his huge investments in the age-old community, while also commending the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Okikiola Esuwoye II for consolidating on the vision of his forebears.

In the same vein, Mallam Abdulmajeed also showered encomiums on ODU for the pivotal roles it is playing in moving Offa forward and empowering its teeming youths, saying the Union deserves maximum support from the people.

For his part, the Olofa of Offa praised the GMD/CEO of Harmony Holdings, saying the entire Offa community is proud of his exploits and achievements.

Represented by High Chief Akinola, the revered monarch said Mallam Abdulmajeed is a worthy ambassador of Offa, while also advising that the ‘Apero Ilu’ programme should be made a yearly programme.

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