The monarch disclosed this during a press conference held on Monday at the Olowu Palace, Oke-Ago Owu, Abeokuta, to commemorate the 2025 edition of the annual Odun Omo-Olowu Festival.
The erudite professor said the palace is the world’s first 100% green palace,powered solely by renewable energy adding that the innovation offers free phone charging to residents, and sets a global example for sustainability.
“This innovation lights the streets of Òwu, offers free phone charging to residents, and sets a global example for sustainability.Olowu Hope Initiative (OHI) plans to extend these renewable energy solutions to the wider community,enhancing quality of life and business productivity”.
The initiative is one of several projects under the Olowu Hope Initiative (OHI) , a development platform established by the monarch to empower the people of Owu Kingdom.
The revered monarch expressed pride in the kingdom’s achievements over the past year, noting that every project initiated under his reign has been driven by compassion and care for the people.
“We have reached out to our most vulnerable, ensuring they are seen, heard, and supported.Investments have been made in the dreams of our youth, creating opportunities for them to thrive and find their voices. United as a community, we have addressed challenges, celebrated the heritage that unites us, and welcomed visitors eager to discover the soul of
our culture.
The Monarch explained further that the Olowu Hope Initiative (OHI) — the flagship humanitarian and development programme of the Owu Kingdom adding that in just a few years, the initiative has touched thousands of lives through scholarships, business empowerment, health interventions, and infrastructure development.
“OHI exists as a deliberate force for
transformation, rooted in compassion and driven by purpose”Oba Matemilola said.
The Olowu stated four strategic pillars guiding the OHI, Enterprise and Skills Development, Education, Health and Well-being, and Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action.
Each, he said, is designed to address critical areas that directly impact livelihoods and ensure sustainable progress for generations to come.
Under the Enterprise and Skills Development pillar, the monarch announced the OHI Women Empowerment Fund, which aimed to support 50,000 women with interest-free capital, skills training, and mentorship.
“Empowering women is a powerful strategy for uplifting entire communities. Through the OHI Women Empowerment Fund, our goal is to support 50,000 women with interest-free capital, skills training, and mentorship. In partnership with Lotus Bank and World Citizen, this fund nurtures women entrepreneurs, inspiring a new generation of financially independent, community-focused leaders. The programme encompasses business loansand mentorship, skills development, scholarships, and accessible healthcare and wellness”.
Oba Matemilola described the initiative as “a grassroots revolution that will empower women to uplift their families and communities.”
In education, the Olowu reaffirmed OHI’s commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through learning.
He maintained that the Olówu Scholars Programme provides full scholarships to students from primary to tertiary level, while the Meal-A-Day initiative ensures that pupils in partner schools receive daily nutritious meals to enhance learning outcomes.
Other programmes he mentioned include teacher training, digital innovation through the revived Cowry token project, and the improvement of school infrastructure and learning resources.
Addressing the Health and Well-being pillar, Oba Matemilola noted that OHI’s community health programme goes beyond curative care to preventive health and wellness adding that the scheme has supported vaccination drives, health outreaches, and screenings for chronic diseases, while also piloting a Community-Based Health Insurance Scheme to make healthcare affordable and sustainable for families.
In partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, the Monarch said the Olowu Hope Initiative (OHI) has initiated a plastic collection and recycling project at Owu Apo aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and economic empowerment.
“In partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Environment,OHI has initiated a plastic collection and recycling project at Owu Apo. Residents will be incentivised to recycle plastics, which will be processed into fibres, fabrics,household items, and packaging materials, transforming waste into economic opportunity.”
In his closing remarks, Oba Matemilola appreciated all partners, supporters, and the Owu community for their unwavering collaboration in building a legacy of compassion, innovation, and shared prosperity.
“Together, we are building a legacy of compassion, innovation, and shared prosperity. Let us continue to unite our efforts for the greater good of Òwu Kingdom and beyond”he said.
