‘Devpt my focus, not tussle,’ Soun says as women coalition pays homage
Abdulrasak BELLO
The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III has reiterated that sparking progress and growth in his domain remains his greatest motivation.
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The monarch said he is engrossed with achieving his 25-year development plan rather than fighting any foe or tussling with any individual.
Oba Olaoye made this declaration Wednesday during a “courtesy cum conflict resolution visit” to him by a coalition of women organizations in Ogbomoso zone.
The women who included Chief Mrs. Rachel Olarewaju Magbagbeola; Professor Alice Arinlade Jekayinfa; Mrs. Funmilayo Oyelade; Princess Ronke Omijenrola Okanlawon; Mrs. Adeola Agbejimi; Mrs. Motunrayo Babatunde, a woman advocate; Mrs. Adegunola Olapeju; wife of immediate past Soun late Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III JP CON CFR, Olori Olaronke Oyewumi; Mrs. Mojoyin Oladipo and so on, through their spokespersons, said they were on the visit to pay homage, seek an end to the various conflicts tearing the community apart and express their support for the 25-year development agenda of the monarch.
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“We are here to pay homage, Kabiyesi,” a spokesperson said.
Continuing, she remarked, “We are also here to plead with your majesty on the rift you have with some important personalities which we learned led to their being barred from visiting the palace. We plead they should be allowed to be coming to the palace. We are concerned about this.
“We want the differences to be resolved so that everyone can rally towards achieving your majesty’s noble 25-year development plan.”
Initially, the concept that some persons were barred from the palace sounded confusing to Oba Ghandi, thus a more elaborate explanation was demanded.
It was a sort of mini drama however as the various spokespersons tried to pass the message but the calm Kabiyesi picked the import of the message.
The Soun asked, “Are you talking about the Imam?” To which a “yes,” “no” answer greeted. Just then, the names of Senator Ayo Hamzat Adeseun, Dr. Saka Balogun and Alhaji Monsuru Lamidi Ejide popped up as the victims of the “Palace Barred Personalities.”
Oba Olaoye launched into an explanation emphasizing, “I fight no foe. None of them is barred from accessing the palace. They chose not to come.”
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Giving a background of what led to the ”misconception,” the Kabiyesi said it was the Ayilara family that submitted a petition “not verbally but officially through a letter on the origin of the Imam.”
The Oba made a recap of the trajectory of events stressing how the trio of Adeseun, Balogun and Ejide made a pledge on the issue but that “they never come back.”
The Oba spoke extensively on the matter asserting however, “I fight no one, what is paramount is growth, progress and development of Ogbomoso and other towns in the zone. Setting in motion the framework for the achievement of the 25-year development plan is my focus.”
He also submitted,”If the Imam is removed, will l put a Joshua there as replacement? Or will l go there to start a worship session? The Ayilara family made such a weighty complaint, should we have just swept it under the carpet? But trying to address their grievances he started his attacks from the pulpit, in videos. It is mere distraction anyway.”
The women while speaking with newsmen later promised to see those involved and return to the palace for amicable resolution.
“We believe what is happening is a design of the Satan to thwart the development plans of Ogbomoso. It will be overcome.
“We plead everyone should rally round Kabiyesi and cooperate with him for a successful reign and development of the town. We are happy about the explanation given by the Kabiyesi, it energizes us further. The women here are from the five local governments in Ogbomoso, of all religions,” the women said.