91-year-old ex-Oyo SSG urges youths to embrace hard work, discipline

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91-year-old former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Shuaib Oyedokun, has charged Nigerian youths to embrace discipline and hard work to live long.

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Alhaji Oyedokun spoke in Osogbo, Osun State, on Thursday at the launch of his memoir titled “Chief Shuaib Afolabi Oyedokun: A Peace Memoir – A Life of Dialogue, Diplomacy and National Cohesion: Lessons in Conflict Resolution and Enduring Reconciliation” and the commemoration of his 91st birthday.

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The celebrant, who served as SSG in the administration of the late ex-Oyo State Governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, noted the rise in immoral acts among the vast majority of the country’s youth.

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Speaking further at the event, which had in attendance dignitaries including former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the gubernatorial candidate of Osun APC, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, Emeritus Professor Olu Aina, the nonagenarian said, “Some people will say, ‘I want to live as Shuaib Oyedokun, but they don’t know what Shuaib Oyedokun has gone through.

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“So just have your own plan and follow it. Don’t copy anybody. Just obey the rules of your Creator.

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“Youths should live as human beings. Younger ones are becoming wayward. They don’t obey their parental guardians. They don’t follow the religious tenets. They don’t learn any trade. They just stumble into society and live like that.”

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The nonagenarian also charged the youths to seek mentorship from people with noble character.

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“They have to learn and be mentees to some people who have integrity and live a noble life,” Oyedokun said

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Earlier in his remarks, former Osun State Governor, Oyinlola, who said Oyedokun was his mentor, described the celebrant as a politician who consistently pursues issues concerning the welfare of his people.

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“Baba Oyedokun happens to be my own mentor. He was the one who, in 2001, welcomed me into the Peoples Democratic Party. He is a shining example of an experienced politician who wants the development of his people at all times,” Oyinlola stated.

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The PUNCH reports that Oyedokun, who had previously served as the Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, dumped the party and joined the APC.

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