Makinde Presents Staff Of Office To New Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye

Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has presented the staff and instrument of office to the new Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye.

Makinde made the presentations to the new Soun of Ogbomoso on Tuesday at the the Ogbomoso township stadium.

Makinde during the event noted that the presentations were done in line with his power as the governor of the state.

He said the presentations signify the official confirmation of the new monarch as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso.

He said, “In exercise of the power, I hereby confirmed Oba Ghandi Olaoye Orumogege 111 as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso land.

“I will hand over the instrument to the office and I will also hand over the staff of office”.

He urged aggrieved members of the Olaoye family to sheath their sword and join hands with the monarch in moving the town forward.

In his speech titled”my dream , my reality, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye reaffirmed his commitment to serve the people of the town irrespective of their religion inclinations or gender

His words ” I intend to be a King to serve you all irrespective of religion, gender or other things that may differentiate us. The strength of our Kingdom lies not only in the crown I wear but in the bonds that bind us together: the bonds of loyalty, respect and mutual understanding.

He also appealed to sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland who work outside the town to return home to contribute their quota in taking the town to greater heights

“To my sons and daughters who live and work outside Ogbomosholand, I would like to appeal to you to turn your attention to our homeland. I have personally done so; that’s why I have left one of the most successful ministries In the United States of America and the day-to-day management of a string of successful businesses to come and serve the people of Ogbomosho Land. Whilst I am not asking that you do the same in a physical sense, I am asking that you join hands with your time, talent and treasure with us to develop Ogbomosho Land. I dare to dream, and I invite you to dream with me that in not-too-distant future, Ogbomosho Land will be mentioned in the same breath as the world’s major cities.

“My service is premised on a clear vision. I am very aware of the words that the wisest of Kings recorded for us in the book of Proverbs that without a vision, the people perish.

“My vision for a prosperous and peaceful Ogbomosho Land rests on a detailed 25-year plan, to be unveiled in the coming months. I promise to serve this vision with all I have, the relationships I have built over the years here in Nigeria and abroad, the experience I have garnered from running several successful businesses, and the skills garnered from more than 30 years of pastoring churches and other pastors. As I have said on several occasions, I have stopped being a church pastor and now become a shepherd of a people.

“The people whom I will serve as a shepherd are not just Christians but also Moslems and who follow the various African religions. As your sovereign, I promise to uphold the values that define us a commitment to justice, equity and compassion. Let these be our watchwords in Ogbomosho Land.

Dignitaries at the event include ,former Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; a former Minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed , a former Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Sen. Gorge Akume, represented by Sir, Olusegun Adekunle, OON; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his deputy, Kayode Afolabi

Others are ; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Olu Of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse 111, Olubadan of Ibadanland HIM Oba Lekan Balogun, represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola , Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacheous Adedeji
a former President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adebayo Oyero, traditional rulers, captains of industries and clerics from within and outside the country among others.