Ogbomoso: Hurray as new era dawns
Fatai ADEWUYI
A new chapter is open in the annals of Ogbomoso, as a new Oba, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege the third, takes the throne. Having been in seclusion for seven days to undergo the rites of Obaship as explained in an interview conducted by The Insight editor for Chief Sobaloje Otolorin, the highest chief, the seclusion is no other than formal initiation devoid of fetish practices. It’s a season to take the new Oba through the ethics of tradition or institution of Obaship as to his dos and don’ts. Ogbomoso being one of the ancient towns has its own traditional rites that are to be undergone by any elected Oba. It is to prove sceptics and rumour mongers wrong that the new Oba, Ghandi, being a vessel of God would not subjet himself to traditional rites. We have been told he is undergoing seclusion now and would come out today to mark the end of the seven day seclusion, to show himself up to his people as their Oba.
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The rites have been explained to include marathon prayers from the leaders of the three major religions that the people of Ogbomoso are adherents of among others. Today’s ceremony is expected to be peaceful as majority of the Ogbomoso people are glad that at last a new Oba is installed. Ogbomoso needs to take her rightful position among the comity of Yoruba towns, so we cannot afford to have an Oba that will drag us backward.
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Therefore, Oba Ghandi like King David has what it takes to compete favourably with other ancient towns’ Obas like Oba of Ife, Oba of Iwo, Oba of Abeokuta, Oba of Lagos among others. I pray we have a successful outing today, we pray also for a remarkable tenure for our newly elected Oba, Kabiyesi, Ghandi Olaoye, Orumogege the third.
Adewuyi, head teacher, FGC Staff School, Ogbomoso, sends this piece via 08130851574.
