“Through idealised influence, the Paramount Ruler embodies the discipline, fairness and sacrifice he expects from his subjects. Acting with ethical consistency earns him deep legitimacy beyond his royal birthright.”
By Bode Durojaiye
Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom and Superior Head of Yorubaland.
Every generation witnesses defining moments that shape its destiny. For the ancient city of Oyo, a new chapter of transformation and renewed possibilities is unfolding.
Across different parts of the kingdom, signs of renewed developmental attention are becoming increasingly visible. From infrastructure improvement initiatives to efforts aimed at addressing longstanding institutional and environmental challenges, the emerging vision seeks to reposition the ancient city for a more prosperous and sustainable future.
Residents have expressed appreciation to Almighty God for blessing Oyo with a transformative Royal Father in His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, whose leadership, according to his admirers, represents an aspiration for visionary reforms, moral courage, institutional modernisation and the unification of people around a common developmental purpose.
Unlike leadership approaches that concentrate exclusively on preserving existing structures, transformational leadership looks beyond immediate challenges to articulate a compelling vision of a stronger, more progressive and economically viable society.
It provides a clear sense of direction, inspires collective responsibility and encourages people across different social backgrounds to work towards a shared destiny.
The Alaafin’s leadership philosophy reflects the importance of embracing new knowledge, technological advancements and progressive ideas while drawing on the wisdom of experienced professionals, scholars and other relevant stakeholders.
Through what leadership scholars describe as Idealised Influence, a transformational leader demonstrates the discipline, fairness, integrity and personal sacrifice expected of those under his leadership. Such ethical consistency strengthens public confidence and earns respect beyond the authority conferred by position or birthright.
The developmental aspirations associated with the present reign of Oba Owoade encompass several sectors, with attention to longstanding challenges and the need to prepare Oyo for future population growth, economic expansion and institutional development.
These initiatives will be examined individually in subsequent instalments of this series.
One of the immediate interventions attracting attention is the ongoing clearing of thick vegetation surrounding Government Technical College, Awe, an institution regarded as one of the historic centres of technical education in the South-West.
GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE, AWE: FROM A GLORIOUS PAST TO A CALL FOR REVITALISATION
Located in Awe town, within Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, Government Technical College occupies a considerable expanse of land and has a remarkable history in the training of skilled craftsmen and technicians for Nigeria’s industrial and economic development.
Unfortunately, the institution had, over the years, become heavily overgrown with thick vegetation, including bushes that reportedly provided hiding places for dangerous reptiles and constituted serious security concerns for residents, pedestrians and other members of the surrounding communities.
The situation reportedly became particularly troubling as some undesirable elements were alleged to have used the overgrown premises as hideouts from which they launched criminal attacks on unsuspecting residents and passersby.
Consequently, residents living around the institution were said to have experienced considerable anxiety and insecurity.
The ongoing vegetation-clearing exercise is being supervised by the Personal Assistant to the Alaafin, Reverend Dr. Kolade Oladele, as part of efforts to address the immediate environmental and security concerns surrounding the institution.
While the clearing exercise represents an important first step towards improving the environment, the larger challenge remains the comprehensive revitalisation of the once-celebrated technical institution.
A HISTORIC INSTITUTION THAT ONCE PRODUCED EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMEN
Established in October 1962, Government Technical College, Awe, has a proud history of technical and vocational education in Oyo State.
Over the years, the institution expanded from its initial four departments to offer training across ten specialised areas of technical and vocational practice.
These included:
1. Agricultural Mechanics.
2. Brick/Blocklaying and Concreting.
3. Carpentry and Joinery.
4. Electrical Installation.
5. Fabrication and Welding.
6. Mechanical Engineering Crafts Practice.
7. Motor Vehicle Mechanics.
8. Painting and Decorating.
9. Vehicle Body Building.
10. Catering Craft Practice.
The college was established to provide young Nigerians with practical technical knowledge, vocational competence and the professional skills required to contribute meaningfully to industrial development.
Technical education is particularly important because it provides opportunities for individuals to acquire specialised occupational skills, develop practical knowledge and cultivate the discipline required for productive living.
At its inception, the Oyo State Government invested substantially in procuring modern equipment and facilities for the institution.
Between the early 1980s and the 1990s, graduates of Government Technical College, Awe, reportedly enjoyed an enviable reputation for craftsmanship and professional competence in both the public and private sectors.
The institution was adequately equipped with facilities and qualified personnel, while admission was highly competitive. For many parents, securing admission for their children into the college was a source of considerable pride.
The institution operated a fully residential system, with students and staff accommodated within the campus.
Its graduates were highly sought after by employers, who eagerly offered them opportunities for industrial training in their respective organisations. Their technical competence and practical dexterity often translated into promising employment opportunities after graduation.
In those days, Government Technical College, Awe, was not merely an educational institution; it was a centre of excellence and a significant contributor to the development of Nigeria’s skilled workforce.
THE YEARS OF NEGLECT AND INSTITUTIONAL DECLINE
Regrettably, the story began to change towards the late 1990s, when the institution gradually lost much of its enviable reputation following years of inadequate attention and declining investment.
One of the major setbacks was the discontinuation of the boarding system despite the absence of adequate perimeter fencing and other essential security infrastructure.
This development reportedly exposed the institution’s facilities and equipment to theft, vandalism and other forms of abuse.
The situation deteriorated further as academic departments became dilapidated, while students’ hostels and staff quarters fell into disrepair.
Thick vegetation gradually took over portions of the premises, creating an environment conducive to the presence of dangerous reptiles and other security concerns.
The once-vibrant institution consequently became a shadow of its former self.
Its decline represents not only the deterioration of physical infrastructure but also the gradual loss of an important centre for technical knowledge, vocational training and human-capital development.
WHY REVIVING GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE, AWE, MATTERS
Stakeholders have continued to emphasise the strategic importance of technical colleges in national development.
According to them, such institutions play indispensable roles in producing skilled technicians for industry, equipping young people with practical and marketable competencies, promoting self-employment and job creation, and advancing technological innovation.
They maintain that revitalising Government Technical College, Awe, could restore its historic contribution to vocational education while creating new opportunities for young people in Oyo State and beyond.
Some stakeholders have also suggested that, subject to the necessary academic, institutional and government approvals, the extensive facilities and available human resources at the college could provide a foundation for an engineering and technology faculty or an annex of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
They believe that such an arrangement could maximise the institution’s existing potential and create additional opportunities for advanced technical and engineering education.
According to some of the stakeholders interviewed, Government Technical College, Awe, was once a centre of excellence in craftsmanship, supported by practical experience, specialised equipment and experienced technical personnel.
They further argued that investing in the institution would yield substantial benefits for Oyo State and Nigeria, considering the thousands of its graduates who have distinguished themselves in different professional fields across the public and private sectors.
The revitalisation of the college, therefore, should not be viewed merely as an attempt to renovate ageing buildings or clear overgrown vegetation. It represents an opportunity to recover a valuable educational legacy, restore public confidence and reposition technical education as an instrument of economic empowerment.
A NEW HORIZON FOR OYO
The ongoing clearing of the vegetation surrounding Government Technical College, Awe, may appear modest when compared with the scale of the institution’s infrastructural and educational challenges.
Nevertheless, it draws attention to a problem that has remained unresolved for years and highlights the importance of addressing environmental safety as part of broader developmental aspirations.
For Oyo, the future must be built on more than its glorious historical achievements. It must also be anchored on functional institutions, modern infrastructure, quality education, economic opportunities and the welfare of its people.
Government Technical College, Awe, provides a compelling example of an institution whose historic contributions deserve renewed attention.
As this series progresses, other developmental initiatives and opportunities for the ancient city will be examined individually.
The ultimate aspiration is to see Oyo reclaim its historic pride while embracing the knowledge, infrastructure and institutional strength required to compete in a modern and rapidly changing world.
A new horizon is possible when history inspires the future and leadership translates vision into purposeful action.
To be continued ……..
