56 yrs remembrance: Soun Olayode II lived short but fulfilled life, Mogaji Odunaro, first son says
Yinka ADETUNJI
Prince Stephen Ilufoye Layode, the Mogaji of Odunaro ruling house of Soun dynasty of Ogbomoso, has submitted the earth sojourn of his father, Oba Emmanuel Olajide Olayode II, late Soun of Ogbomosoland, who was assassinated fifty six year ago, was fulfilling.
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Mogaji Odunaro made this submission in a phone chat with ogbomosinsightonline.com Monday.
Oba Olajide Olayode II was killed in a tax riot in Ogbomoso on July 1, 1969.
Reacting to the 56th remembrance of his father, Mogaji Ilufoye Layode said, “Yes, it’s true tomorrow July 1 marks fifty-six years of my father’s death when he was gruesomely assassinated.
“He died young but I want to tell you he was able to achieve meaningfully in life. He was installed as Soun in 1966 when he was just 45 years old.”
Speaking further, the first son of late monarch maintained his father was murdered without committing any offence.
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He asserted, “He was just killed, it was unjustified because he committed no offence. It is the government that increased the tax and not him. Then, the who-is-who strove to enlighten those angry peasants but they didn’t listen. It is the will of Almighty God.
“July 1, 1969 was the darkest day in my life, we were running up and down, those Agbekoyas were searching for us. It wasn’t easy. They set ablaze my father’s house at Oja Ajagun but we give thanks to God we are still alive,” he lamented.
Prince Ilufoye Layode, who retired as principal and an Msc holder was installed Mogaji few years ago.
He underlined though did not highlight that the late monarch recorded remarkable achievements while alive and during his reign.
