The event also marked the 20 years anniversary of ParrotExtra Media Network.
The event which was packaged by CEEDEE Resources doubled as the occasion for the South West Leadership Summit and Award.
Delivering a lecture, entitled ‘South West: Critical issues to shape the future,’ the Guest Lecturer and Director-General (DG), Developement Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye, said South West is a region with distinct nationality of more than 40 million Yoruba people in the homeland, and a rich diaspora population across various continents, possessing one of the most notable civilisations amongst the people of Africa.
Oyeleye, who was represented by Prince Adetayo Adeleke-Adedoyin, Head, Special Projects and Funding at DAWN Commission, said the nationality is constantly vulnerable to the vagaries of both political and economic changes.
“The nationality is buffeted with serious security threats; has a sub-optimal and underperforming economy; battling with a weak social sector, especially education and health, unable to feed its population; cannot generate enough resources to finance its development; whose native language is fast disappearing; assailed by negative and uncontrolled net migration, with all the attendant consequences; cannot generate enough consensus and internal solidarity for moving forward on both basic and fundamental issues; sitting on a demographic time bomb, composed of a youthful population, largely misguided and misdirected, and therefore susceptible to misuse; clearly needs to work hard for its survival and sustainability,” he said.
Oyeleye said vision-driven action must guide the South West forward, highlighting five critical strings that must drive the action.
The DAWN DG said five issues—leadership, media, AI & technology, youth and security—will determine not just “who we become in the South West region, but what role we play on the Nigerian, African and global stage.”
“In shaping the future, we must carry the wisdom of our fathers, the innovation of our children, and the courage of today. By 2055, Lagos will be one of the world’s five most populous cities according to World Population Review and UN World Urbanisation Prospects data. Will it be chaos—or will it be a smart megacity? Will Ibadan be a neglected ancient capital, or a regional hub for culture and tech? The answer lies in how we tackle these five issues—starting today,” he stated.
According to Oyeleye, the envisioned minimum for the future of the South West is a region founded on the key parameters of what the DAWN Commission describes as SAVOR Centers, which is a consolidated bloc of Smart, Attractive, Vibrant, Optimal and Resilient locations.
“Let us make the South West a region of doers, not dreamers only. Let our leaders lead with vision, not vengeance. Let our media speak with facts, not fear. Let our youth rise with skills, not slogans. Let our region reflect the greatness that Awolowo saw and embodied, and that Mr. Parrot now celebrates,” the DG said.
In his welcome address, the chairman of the summit, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, said South West must take its leadership position in the country.
“South West is the only geographical and political region that share the same soil type, same climatic conditions, almost the same vegetation, culture, language and history.
“That is why South West has to be the leader in economic development because we are homogeneous. People who share almost the same thing but looking in different directions.
“What is happening to us in terms of our development in terms of agriculture and industrialisation, we have to talk about it,” Farounbi said.
Highlight of the celebration was the launching of ParrotXtra Compendium by the first female Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu.
Unveiling the compendium, Sunmonu said it will serve as a reference material for generations to come and urged people to support the celebrant.
In his remarks, Agboola expressed gratitude to God for sustaining him till the age of 60. He apprecaited his family, staff of ParrotExtra Media Network, friends and well wishers for their prayers and support.
Fuji maestro, Adewale Ayuba, thrilled the guests with his melodolious tunes.
Dignitaries at the event include Nollywood actor, Dele Odule; Special Adviser on Media to Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju; Executive Assistant to Oyo State Governor on Culture, Alh. Gboyega Lawal; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun; Oloye Lekan Alabi, Uncle Toye Ajagun, Osi Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Akogun Gani Balogun; Chairman, Ibadan North West LocAl Government, Alhaji Rahman Adepoju, former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa; Mayor Isaac Brown, Chairman, South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP); Pastor Bisi Oladele, among others.
