The Royal Seal: HIM Ooni Ojaja II Accepts Nomination as Royal Father for UNESCO‑REF YWA Champions
The UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO‑REF) proudly announces that His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, has formally accepted the nomination to serve as Royal Father of the UNESCO‑REF Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) Champions Programme. This endorsement represents a landmark moment in the advancement of youth and women empowerment in Nigeria, combining cultural authority with global development priorities.
Strategic Alignment with National Agenda
His Imperial Majesty’s decision to accept this role is deeply aligned with the Federal Government’s food security agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which identifies agriculture as a cornerstone of national development and economic resilience. By lending his royal seal to the YWA Champions Programme, the Ooni of Ife reinforces the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural productivity, empowering youth, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
This endorsement also resonates with the First Lady’s Food Bank Initiative, which seeks to combat hunger and provide nutritional support to vulnerable populations. The YWA Champions Programme complements this ambition by equipping young women with the tools, training, and opportunities to become active contributors to food production and distribution, thereby reinforcing Nigeria’s food security architecture.
UNESCO‑REF’s Institutional Perspective
Speaking on the significance of the Ooni’s acceptance, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu‑Oramiyan, President of UNESCO‑REF, emphasized that the partnership is part of a broader strategy to enhance the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). He noted that the Ooni’s royal endorsement provides a powerful cultural and institutional platform to mobilize communities, strengthen advocacy, and accelerate progress toward these global targets.
Prince Ladigbolu underscored that the YWA Champions Programme is designed not only to empower young women in agriculture but also to serve as a model of multi‑stakeholder collaboration, integrating traditional leadership, civil society, and government priorities into a unified framework for sustainable development.
The YWA Champions Programme
The Young Women in Agriculture (YWA) Programme is a flagship initiative of UNESCO‑REF aimed at:
• Empowering young women through agricultural training, mentorship, and access to modern technologies.
• Promoting sustainable food systems and enhancing community resilience.
• Advancing gender equality by positioning women as leaders in agricultural innovation.
• Contributing directly to the achievement of the SDGs, particularly those related to poverty eradication, food security, and inclusive economic growth.
Conclusion
The acceptance of the Royal Father role by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Ojaja II, represents both a symbolic and strategic milestone. By aligning his royal endorsement with the President’s food security agenda, the First Lady’s Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her Food Bank Initiative, and UNESCO‑REF’s institutional mandate, the Ooni has demonstrated visionary leadership and a profound commitment to national and global development.
With this royal seal, the YWA Champions Programme is poised to achieve greater impact, ensuring that young women across Nigeria and Africa are empowered to drive agricultural transformation, reduce poverty, combat hunger, and contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.