Egba sons and daughters, home and abroad have been advised to associate more with their root to enhance development in Egbaland.
The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo gave this advice during the installation of a popular estate developer, community leader, politician and philanthropist, Chief Toyin Amuzu as the Asiwaju Leragun Egba at his Ake Palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The paramount ruler, who advised every Egba descent to always try to visit their homestead said “the Egba Kingdom is well known for its innovations and developmental strides of being the first in civilization thus, it is our responsibility to keep up the pace of growth”.
According to Oba Gbadebo, “the chieftaincy title of Asiwaju Leragun Egbaland bestowed on Chief Toyin Amuzu is a warrior or warlord Chief title peculiar to the Igbehin people where Amuzu was formally the Leragun Igbehin. He was also the Okanlomo Ijeun, but now he has been promoted to the Asiwaju Leragun of Egbaland home and abroad, due to his steadfastness and selflessness in developing our communities “.
“I hereby implore you to continue your good works and protect the interests of Egba kingdom and its people at all times", the Alake said.
Chief Toyin Amuzu who is the founder and Chairman of the Toyin Amuzu foundation, while reacting in an interview with journalists promised to continue to serve God and humanity at all times.
He also called on the Nigerian youths to take their destinies in their own hands by participating actively in politics and make their leaders accountable to the society.
"If we keep saying we don't want to get involve then who is going to get involve to change our society?We all have to do it together”, he said.
"As at yesterday, Toyin Amuzu football championship kicked off. It is just a way of bringing the youth together and to encourage them.
"There are other things you can do rather than stealing and breaking into people's house but we need to engage them and that is what we are trying to do, when you engage them and they have other things they are doing they will turn out good.
"The country has become so bad, no job, I remember those days when our parents were sending us to school to have masters degree. Today Masters is just like ordinary degree and every one on the streets without jobs all have masters, how many people have employment?. If you have gone to school and you don't have any job and the country is not doing anything the youth will have no option than engage in yahoo, I am not encouraging it, but we have to always remember that there is no flame without a cause, having said that we need to improve this youth, develop them and encourage them.
I have a foundation which is called "TA Foundation" Toyin Amuzu foundation , I cannot tell how many persons we have empowered because we have empowered a lot of persons , our motto is we rise together , and we have helped a lot of people and we are still helping.
"I have been doing this for 2years now , and I am not doing this because of any political ambition . I am not your normal politician that will give gifts two Months to election just to buy the hearts of the people. I have never occupied any political position . If I do what I do today I feel I can improve the economy of our people. Toyin Amuzu foundation is not about any political thing but it's all about the people
When asked about the huge borrowings of government, he said “If we keep borrowing and we are not seeing what we are borrowing that means we are not in a safe trade, lately we have borrowed a lot and I think if it is well utilized it would positively affect the economy, but when we spend lavishly and do not have means of paying back the loan, we are in big trouble, the economy won’t be better.
Chief Amuzu in his words explained that, if the youths don't come out to join politics, the elders will continue to rule and will drive the future of the country to wherever they so wishes, but if the youths can get themselves involve in politics things will change for good.
He also advised youth to be positive and invest their lives in anything that could better their lots rather than engaging in negative acts.
The Akinruyiwa of Owu kingdom, Chief Olumide Aderinokun who was also at the event congratulated the new Asiwaju Leragun Egba saying, “Chief Toyin Amuzu is my friend, my brother and I am so happy because he deserves the honour of the chieftaincy and I wish him well.
“I believe he is going to be a good chief to Egbaland because he has always done the right thing and he will continue to do the right things”, said Chief Aderinokun.
Dignatories at the event include a chieftain of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP and a former member of the house of representatives, Chief Oladipupo Adebutu who is the Lisa Aje Egba, the Osi Egba , Chief Bode Mustapha and a host of friends , family members and well wishers who later held a reception at Park-inn , Kuto Abeokuta.
