The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has inaugurated the Ojaja Park smart city in Akure, Ondo State, a project he says showcases locally made resources and aims to drive economic growth and youth engagement in Nigeria.
Former Head of State General Abdusalam Abubakar and Bishop Matthew Kukah, along with other members of the National Peace Committee, attended the unveiling ceremony, with Bishop Kukah leading prayers for the new development.
The Ojaja Park features a five-star hotel, game center, children’s park, shopping mall, school, and residential estates, creating a unique blend of leisure, education, and residential amenities.
Describing the project as one-of-a-kind in Nigeria, Oba Ogunwusi explained that the smart city was built from locally sourced materials and was designed to contribute to reducing Nigeria’s housing deficit.
The Ooni emphasized the need for Nigerians to leverage homegrown resources, saying, “This is the only way we can grow the economy. We don’t need to leave everything to the government. That’s why I invited General Abdusalam Abubakar and Bishop Mathew Kukah to bless this place—they believe in peace and youth engagement, which is the core of this project.”
Highlighting the project’s scale and impact, Oba Ogunwusi noted that it spans over 100,000 square meters and employs thousands of young Nigerians, who were instrumental in reclaiming the once-neglected land.
“This project was driven not by financial gain but by a vision to transform lives. I am fulfilled seeing youths, who once had little, thriving and empowered,” he said.
The Ooni called on other Nigerians to join efforts in nation-building, emphasizing personal responsibility: “We often blame the government, but we must ask ourselves, ‘What are we doing individually?’”
