NGO Boosts Ooni Youths Capacity Building Scheme

As part of the celebration of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi 10th  years coronation anniversary in December, a non governmental organisation: ‘Victor Badejo Foundation’, has announced scholarship reward for students up to tertiary level, cash gifts and others as prizes to be won by youths in various competitions.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ile Oodua Palace of the Ooni on Thursday, the private secretary to the Ooni, Mr. Adewale Adetoyese, who doubles as coordinator of the competition which includes quiz, debate and football competitions, explained that the initiative is designed to appreciate the Ooni for his impact in youth development, capacity building and community development over the past decade.

According to Adetoyese, Victor Badejo Foundation is the brainchild of one of the Ooni’s children who is a product of the frontline traditional ruler’s magnanimity adding that the competitions are designed to give back to the society and discover talents by giving the participants from different schools across the land equal opportunities to contest.

“The Quiz and Debate Competitions will feature students from secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Ife land. Participants will engage in intellectually stimulating contests covering topics such as history, governance, culture, innovation, and sustainable development.

“The competitions are designed not only to celebrate academic excellence but also to promote critical thinking, civic engagement, and public speaking among the youth.

“Complementing the academic challenges, the Football Competition will bring together teams of young athletes from different communities to compete in a friendly yet spirited tournament. The matches will promote teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship—core values that resonate with the Ooni’s commitment to youth development and community unity.” The coordinator explained.

On the structure of events, he revealed that the contest will span several days, featuring multiple stages of competitions including preliminaries and cultural exhibitions before the grand finale at the Oodua Heritage House, Ile Oodua Palace, Enuwa Ile-Ife on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 by 10am. The final football match will be played same day by 4pm at the Oduduwa College Football pitch, Ile-Ife.

Beyond the contests, substantial food items rice, beans, vegetable oil and others will be given freely to the elderly members of the society including widows and other vulnerable persons to bring smiles to the beneficiaries facies as the world celebrates Ooni Ogunwusi’s coronation anniversary.

While the project is being executed in partnership with the Osun State Government through the Ministry of Education, proprietors of private schools across Ife land and other stakeholders, the Foundation called on individuals and corporate entities to join in sponsoring and supporting the lofty idea.

Equally, the foundation assured that the contest will henceforth be established as an annual tradition of excellence in education, sports and character through which talents will be discovered at the grassroots level in honour of the Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife.