OCC unveils bust of Soun Oba Ghandi

OCC unveils bust of Soun Oba Ghandi

Yinka ADETUNJI

Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) has unveiled the first ever bust of the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III as part of the events marking the first coronation anniversary of the monarch.

Prof Moses Akintonde of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, sculpted the bust according to a member of the association.

OCC was led to the palace earlier today by one of its coordinators, Gen. Oladayo Popoola (rtd), to unveil the bust. Some members of the socio-cultural association at the presentation ceremony are Ambassador Akin Oyateru (PRO), Hon Adebayi Bankole, Prof Adeshola Adepoju, Hon Adegbola Oyeleke, Hon Mulikat Akande-Adeola, Prof Alice Jekayinfa, Prof A. Afolabi and Prof Josiah Segun Ajiboye. Hon Chief Michael Ajiboye, who is the secretary, and with others manages the secretariat of the association, and Mr. Muyiwa Oke were also in attendance. High Chief Samuel Sobalaje Otolorin, the Areago of Ogbomosoland and High Chief Yusuf Kasali Oladipupo, the Abese also attended the brief unveiling ceremony.

OCC is a socio-cultural association of prominent Ogbomoso indigenes, founded by the immediate past Soun His Imperial Majesty Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III JP, CON, CFR, in the twilight of his long reign. It was envisioned to be a forum for harnessing the influence and connections of members to enhance the developmental agenda of the community.

Ambassador Akin Oyateru, PRO of the association told reporters that “the gesture was to appreciate the efforts of His Imperial Majesty Oba Olaoye Orumogege III in changing the face of Ogbomosoland and making it a model city. It is a token of our appreciation and a way to immortalize the monarch.”

The Soun expressed gratitude saying “it is a great honour,” while assuring, “collectively we will make Ogbomoso greater.”

The bust which bears some resemblance to the monarch and has been mounted in the palace, reflects the calm composure and inner equanimity of the Ogbomoso Oba.

Many who have seen the bust commended the effort of the creator, Prof Akintonde, while lauding OCC for coming up with such a concept and going ahead to commission its sculpting.

Soun is the grand patron of the organization.

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