•Says God sent him to take Ogbomoso to enviable heights
From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The town of Ogbomoso in Oyo State was electrified with joy, yesterday, as eminent personalities and thousands of indigenes welcomed the newly installed Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, after he emerged from a seven-day seclusion.
The monarch made a public appearance, arriving at Ogbomoso High School amid cheers from thousands of indigenes and eminent personalities alike.
The Soun, who was installed on September 8, arrived at the school around 10a.m., and made his way to the palace, with the convoy led by traditional drummers and hunters. The mood was festive, with chants of ‘Kabiesi’ filling the air.
The Soun said he has been commissioned by God to take Ogbomoso to enviable heights, saying the town would experience unprecedented progress during his reign as Orumogege III.
“Today, light has come upon Ogbomoso. This does not mean there wasn’t light before. But it’s new light in Ogbomoso. Ogbomoso is a big town. All indigenes of Ogbomoso, home and abroad, will be glad to be indigenes of Ogbomoso.
“There will be new developments in Ogbomoso. Ogbomoso will be different from other towns in terms of development, and peace. Everyday, we’ll see God’s compassion. It is a new day in Ogbomoso land. A new light is here.
“You all know what we went through before this day happened. To those still aggrieved, let us join hands for the progress of Ogbomoso. This is God’s doing, let’s work together to achieve great strides for Ogbomoso. We cannot say we love this town and allow a crisis. We will make Ogbomoso better.
“God has sent me to do great things, to bring about the development of Ogbomoso. I’m not here as king to simply dominate, acquire wealth, make names. I’m here to take Ogbomoso to enviable heights, heights that our forefathers envisaged that makes Ogbomoso stand out in Yorubaland, such that Ogbomoso indigenes will be cherished anywhere they are seen.
“The work to develop Ogbomoso has started. You will see the difference. Many companies are coming to Ogbomoso. Jobs will be plenty such that no more will we have Ogbomoso indigenes search for jobs. I do not talk too much, you’ll see action by God’s grace. The work has started, let’s join hands for the development of Ogbomoso land.”
Aare Ago of Ogbomosoland, and head of kingmakers, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, also remarked that “Yoday (Thursday) is the seventh day. According to tradition, he is supposed to pay homage. After homage, he’ll start to come to the palace. If we chiefs are installed, we have to stay at home for seven days. No ritual.
“You are free to entertain people. You are free to watch television. Ogbomoso’s style is different from other Yoruba towns. Nothing. Yes we have to abide by the law that we have to stay. Everybody appointed will not know anything. We have to teach him how to do things, how to follow some people, how to thank some people, that is it. We expect great development in Ogbomoso.”
An elder statesman, Dr. Saka Balogun, who hails from Ogbomoso, also said: “There has been challenges here and there but because I believe he is the choice by God, that is why he has been able to overcome all the challenges and I believe he will overcome whatever remains of the challenges. And I believe that one of the ways to overcome the challenges is reconciliation and there are quite a good number of us, men of goodwill, who will assist him to get that done.”
President, Ogbomoso First Group, Mr Olusegun Adekunle, a retired permanent secretary from the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria, noted that “having a leader enthroned by God is a great thing and we believe we are stepping in the right direction. We have to help him with an agenda for development, peaceful coexistence, unity, economic progress in Oyo State, and Nigeria at large. He has to rule with the fear of God, ask for the wisdom of God, and ensure dispensation of justice to all and sundry.”