OCC hails Soun over Dr Balogun's appointment, tasks new chief on cooperation

OCC hails Soun over Dr Balogun’s appointment, tasks new chief on cooperation

Yinka ADETUNJI

The Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) has noted that the appointment of Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun as the new Balogun of Ogbomosoland is a welcome development.

This is contained in separate letters to His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III the Soun of Ogbomosoland and the new high chief Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun whose appointment was announced last Monday by the Oyo state government.

The letter signed by Major General Oladayo Popoola (rtd), co-coordinator of the socio-development group, and made available to Ogbomoso Insight expresses profound gratitude to the Soun for finding Dr Balogun, which it describes as a respected leader of the group, worthy of the chieftaincy assuring he would bring his vast wealth of experience to bear in the assignment.

The group also expresses hope Dr Balogun would support Soun on his 25 year – development plan while tasking him to work deeply towards fostering unity and cooperation in the ancient city.

“The leadership and members of the Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) wish to express our sincere appreciation to Your Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III for the recent appointment of Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun as the Balogun of Ogbomosoland. For us in the OCC, the occasion is more special, as the new Balogun is a well-regarded Coordinator and a respected elder of the Council,” the letter to the Soun reads.

“It is hoped that as one of the High Chiefs and close advisers of the Soun, Dr Balogun will bring to bear on his new office, his enormous knowledge and vast experience in the realization of Your Majesty’s vision and development agenda for Ogbomosoland. The new High Chief would also be expected to assist Kabiyesi in his laudable task of promoting peaceful coexistence among all our people regardless of creed, status, location or persuasion to engender unity and progress that will propel our ancestral land into sustainable economic prosperity and wellbeing.”

Congratulating the community leader it states the honour crowns his years of dedicated service to the community and the association.

“The leadership and entire membership of the Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) heartily felicitate with you on your recent appointment as Balogun of Ogbomosoland by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland. For us in the OCC, this is most auspicious, given your long record of committed service to our ancient city, and your dedicated leadership of OCC as one of its Coordinators. It is therefore a thing of joy to see you occupy the exalted position of your forebears.,” the letter states.

“We have no doubt that you will bring in your vast experience and in-depth knowledge of our community to bear, in your new role for improved social relations, peaceful coexistence and the betterment of our people. We wish you to continue to be a promoter of our Imperial Majesty’s 25 year developmental programme.”

Wishing earnestly the appointment will “contribute to cohesion and unity of purpose within the community and betterment of our people,” the council re-assures the monarch of its support in his vision to transform the ancient city.

“Rest assured Kabiyesi, the Council strongly supports your developmental strides to modernize and reposition Ogbomosoland in the grand scheme of things in the state and the country at large. May God continue to bless you with good health and may your reign be long, peaceful and prosperous.”

It charges Dr Balogun, “May your appointment be the harbinger of deeper reflection and appreciation of our commonality of interest and purpose as a people desirous of unity and progress. May your exertions create new paths of dialogue for cohesion, reorientation and general well-being of the citizenry of our beloved land. May you lead with vision, wisdom and courage.”