‘Oba Ghandi is Allah ordained’ – Imam Ayilara, as Orumogege Cup begins with victory for Awoye FC, action returns Tuesday (Photos)

‘Oba Ghandi is Allah ordained’ – Imam Ayilara, as Orumogege Cup begins with victory for Awoye FC, action returns Tuesday

Yinka ADETUNJI

Ceremonial kickoff by the celebrant Oba Orumogege III

The newly installed Imam of Soun of Ogbomoso Palace Sheikh Habeeb Adekunle Ayilara has pointed out that the Soun of Ogbomosoland Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye who he described as a “Pathfinder” is ordained by Allah stressing the monarch exemplifies the leadership model unveiled by Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) marked by wisdom, compassion, tirelessness and generosity.

Imam Habeeb Ayilara made this declaration Sunday at the Soun Stadium during the opening ceremony of the maiden Orumogege Football Competition hosted by the Ogbomoso Community Youth Forum (OCYF) to commemorate the one year celebration of the installation of Oba Olaoye.

This is as the Soun expressed gratitude to the people who came to celebrate with him saying the overwhelming support he is receiving is inspiring, particularly thanking OCYF for organizing the football competition to honour him.

Oba Olaoye urged the players to give their best and abide by the rules assuring “I will augment whatever prizes the association (OCYF) has decided to award winners.”

He showed his faith in God when he asserted, “I will celebrate many more years on the throne, 10, 20, 30, and after 35 years we will then see what God will do.” This expression evoked a loud applause and amen.

Imam Habeeb Ayilara – Oba Ghandi is ordained by Allah, he says

Taking the floor to speak, Imam Ayilara, turbaned less than two weeks ago (August 30), said, “Thank be to Almighty Allah ( SWT), The King of the Universe, The All Knowing, All Wise, and The Most Merciful Who has made it possible for all sons and daughters of Ogbomoso land both at home and in diaspora to gather here today to celebrate the first anniversary of the coronation of our Father, Allah’s ordained Soun Of Ogbomoso land Oba Alayeluwa Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege The III on his ascension to the highly revered throne of his forebears as the Most Imperial Majesty.

“Over the past one year, our Father, King and the paramount ruler of Ogbomoso land as pathfinder has shown greater wisdom, kindness, empathy and indefatigable leadership only similar to the leadership as described by our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) May the Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Him.”

He remarked that the Oba of Ogbomoso has been acting like a servant leader in the true sense of leadership as preached by Allah and so commended his commitment to piloting his people to a higher pedestal while enthusing that he is rekindling hope to overcome the various challenges besetting the community.

“The Prophet, SWA had taught us the importance of justice, compassion and service to humanity.

“The Prophet SWA said ‘The leader of a people is their servant’. In essence therefore, the essence of leadership is service to the people.

“Our King in all ramifications has truly lived up to this expression by serving the people with deep sense of commitment, fairness, justice, unequal empathy and deep concern for the well being of everyone of us ….his people.

“His kindness has rekindled hope to those in need, and his wisdom has helped us to overcome challenges.”

Ayilara who has been preaching peace since his assumption of office urged the people to continue to support the king, believe in his vision, embrace peace and unity, and pray for him consistently towards enabling the realization of the his noble vision for Ogbomoso.

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“As the Chief Imam, I want to remind all of us of our duties as subjects. The Holy Quran teaches responsibility to one another. Qur’an (49:13) Allah says:- ‘O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and made you people into tribes that ye may identify one another. Indeed the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.’

“Our unity as a community depends on our shared commitment to these principles.

“Let us continue to support our King in his good works and deeds, thereby make our society better as we live according to the teachings of Islam.

“Let us embrace peace as no development can strive in chaos, let us be kind, fair, caring as our father the King has demonstrated within one year of our community leadership.

“Today, as we celebrate and rejoice let us reflect with benefit of hindsight. As we honour our King let us renew our commitment to those beautiful shared values that may lead us to unity and development.

“Let us pray in private and public for our King. Let’s beseech Allah to grant him more wisdom, strength, sound health and other enablement for him to continue to steer the ship of the Kingdom and may He (Allah) continue to guide us on the right path.

“In conclusion, I pray to Almighty Allah to continue to have mercy on us, strengthen our bonds of brotherhood and bless the King, that his reign be long and may he witness unprecedented successes, progress and development.

“May peace and prosperity continue to thrive in our land and may we all continue to serve one another with love, kindness, fairness in unity.”

Meanwhile, Awoye United Football Club spanked Iresapa Football Club one nil in an exciting match watched by the Soun, other traditional rulers, chiefs, representatives of former Minister for Youths and Sports Chief Sunday Dare and who is Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland, and thousands of spectators. The winning goal was scored in the 88th minute. With the victory Awoye FC have sailed into the round of 16 while Iresapa FC have been eliminated from the competition.

Action returns Tuesday September 10 as Igbon FC take on Olorunsogo FC (2:00pm) while Jumbo FC will lock horns with Jordan FC.