The Wife of the Chairman of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Mrs Muheebah Kehinde Ajala has advised youths particularly females, to focus on their goals in life and work hard to achieve them.
“You must have goals, you should be able to know what you want to achieve in your life, remain focused and work hard to achieve them,” Mrs Ajala said.
She spoke during the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child which took place at the council secretariat in Ilupeju on Friday, 25 October, 2024.
Female pupils from selected public and private schools in the council area, parents and management of the council led by the Council Chairman, Honourable Rasaq Olusola Ajala participated at the event with the theme, Girls’ Vision for the Future: Personal Development and Hygiene.
Mrs Ajala took the participants through her personal experience, what she went through and how being focused, hardworking and determination assisted her in achieving success and being what she is today.
“I faced a lot of challenges and I was able to surmount them because I was focused, hardworking and determined. I also came from a family that encouraged one to excel, hence home training is an essential ingredient growth not only for the girl-child but also for the entire youths,” she said.
Mrs Ajala also advocated for the return of communal parenting where elders can discipline or call to order erring youths irrespective of being their biological parents or not.
“When we were young, elders among neighbours contributed to our home training and even our parents will tell them to discipline or call us to order whenever we misbehave. This helped in shaping our lives and we had the best of home training,” she said.
Mrs Ajala also advised participants to make cleanliness one of their watchwords. “You’ve to be clean all over, both inside and outside. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, it’s the way you appear that people will address you,” she said.
The Vice Chairman of the council, Honourable Seyi Jakande commended the Wife of the Chairman for organising the event which he noted, will go a long way grooming youths in the council area particularly, the girl-child.
“This kind of programmes will go a long way in improving your lives and I want to commend our mother here for initiating this.
“You have a lot of things to take away and these are not the material gifts and food you were given here. Be focused, hardworking and determined to succeed in life,” she said.
Also speaking, the Council Manager of the council, Pastor (Mrs) Folake Otenaike, advised the participants not to relent in their determination to succeed in life.
“Your goals are very important, focus on achieving them, avoid all forms of distractions, work hard and remain Godly, you will surely succeed,” she advised.