OONI'S PRAYER REQUESTS FOR 2022: ASUU STRIKE, 2023 ELECTION, AND YOUTH PLIGHT

The lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has shut down all universities in Nigeria, is among the prayer requests of the Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja Il, who began the annual 7-day seclusion rite on Sunday as part of the symbolic activities marking the annual Olojo festival in Ile-Ife.

Ooni Ogunwusi, dressed in his usual white traditional attire laced with colorful ancient beads, told reporters on his way out of his lle-Oodua palace that he will use the spiritual moment of seclusion to communicate with God Almighty in order to resolve all issues in Nigeria as the country prepares for next year's general election.

The Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) stated that the government must end the strike as soon as possible to avoid the wrath of Nigerian youths.

"No one can blame the youths for being angry." Imagine how many months they have been kept out of school; ASUU and the government must work together to put an end to this because we cannot handle the youths' rage if they become out of control. They have begun to block highways and even threaten to close airports, indicating that they have reached a breaking point.

"This is my seventh year on the throne, and I have been serving humanity with a special focus on our country's youth." Apart from investing heavily in human capital development and capacity building, I have hired many young people to manage my projects, and they have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. So I urge our government to take a look at this issue and make the necessary changes.

"During the recruitment process at the newly unveiled Ojaja More, over 50% of applicants are undergraduate students who are tired of staying at home, indicating that the ASUU strike has caused significant damage." It is avoidable, and the government and ASUU should put an end to it for the sake of the youth.