'Oba Ghandi is God's gift to Ogbomoso,' Onifedegbo declares - Other takeaways from commissioning of modern weaving centre

‘Oba Ghandi is God’s gift to Ogbomoso,’ Onifedegbo declares – Other takeaways from commissioning of modern weaving centre

Femi OGUNLANA

The facilitator Rear Admiral Sunday John Oyegade

Soun

The inauguration of the Fedegbo Mega Aso-Ofi Weaving Centre in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Tuesday, October 7, was an extraordinary historic occasion. It’s highly significant in that it has the potential of boosting the textile industry in Ogbomoso, and turning into a platform for commercial and economic rejuvenation in the ancient city. The Fedegbo people are traditionally known for their dexterity in Aso-Ofi or Aso-Oke production, being excellent weavers. It is an heritage the family has upheld for many generations. Vicissitudes of business for decades precipitated a slump provoked by wane interest in Aso-Ofi. Sales plummeted and many weavers took to other trades and professions. But weaving did not go into extinct, the Fedegbo people still trudged on. A lifeline is now being provided. The ascension of a new Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, has inspired a refocusing on the Ofi textile and a new breath of life into its production in Ogbomoso.

The Oba’s staging of a cultural festival, Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival, whose maiden edition held last December with Aso-Ofi as the official wear naturally bolstered demand. The Soun upon learning of the Fedegbo family’s heritage visited their weaving centre at Osupa Ogbomoso earlier this year, during which he promised a resuscitation of the “dilapidated and outdated” structures. Here we are today. Here are takeaways from the commissioning.

1. Soun recounts how Fedegbo Mega Aso-Ofi Weaving Centre came to be

Oba Olaoye says “It is a very, very commendable project.” He lauded the Nigerian Navy and the Oyegade clan of Ogbomoso for facilitating the project. “You have surely left your footprints in the sands of Ogbomoso forever, you and your family will always be remembered for this,” the Oba applauds.

Continuing, he discloses, “I learned there was a place in Ogbomoso where they weave Aso-Ofi. I know it will be a source of employment opportunities, and then our Cradles Carnival, we adorn Aso-Ofi. I went to Fedegbo with Onifedegbo (His Royal Majesty Oba Gbadebo Gbolagunte Olaosebikan Takutanpa 1) but was disappointed with what l saw, dilapidated and outdated structures and so, l told Onifedegbo we will improve it and bring it back to life.”

On the relocation to the Ultra Modern Market, he pointed out the Fedegbo location was small for what was envisaged. “Shortly after, Rear Admiral Sunday John Oyegade came that he was looking for a project to execute. We mentioned this project, gave him the drawing and he accepted it. Today, we have the physical manifestation of what we wanted. I am happy. I really, really thank Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade for accepting to do this.”

The monarch expresses confidence the Fedegbo people “will come here to do what they know how to do.”

He stresses a standard was set and would be maintained, noting, “This is a legacy project, not just another project, it accommodates everything we wanted – showroom, water, rest rooms, offices etc.”

He hopes the project would be an inspiration for youths to join the Nigerian Navy “because you (Rear Admiral Oyegade) have etched your name in the annals of the economic fabric of Ogbomoso. We are so excited about this place. We believe it will inspire other people like you to bring developmental projects to the town. The development of the town depends on the indigenes.”

Soun further informs the facilitator that machinery for how the centre would be maintained had been set up “so that you will always be proud whenever you come to visit this place, you won’t find a rundown property, you will always be proud of what you have done. Generations yet unborn will meet this place just as we are seeing it today. That one l can promise. You will be proud you gave this town this. We assure you we will be responsible for its maintenance.”

2. Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla provides motive for the project

The Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, speaking through his representative, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Chief of Staff Headquarters Western Naval Command, explains, “The project is funded by the Nigerian Navy under the Chief of the Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Immanuel Ikechukwu OGALLA’s Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme (CNS-SIQIPS). The Project is facilitated by an illustrious son of Ogbomosho, Rear Admiral Sunday John OYEGADE, who is a serving senior officer in the Nigerian Navy.

“The CNS-SIQIPS is an initiative of the Nigerian Navy aimed at fostering Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) as one of the non-kinetic means of addressing the myriad of security challenges in the Country. The philosophy that underpins the Scheme is the belief that if the people in our communities, particularly, the youths are gainfully employed, they are less likely to engage in criminal activities; and our communities would be safer.

“The CNS-SIQIPS is also aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people in the communities where the Armed Forces of Nigeria operate and the local communities of the facilitators of the Projects. Indeed the Mega Aso-Ofi Weaving Centre meets all the foregoing objectives. It is on this note, that we appreciate the Nigerian Navy and facilitator of the Project, Rear Admiral Sunday John OYEGADE.”

Vice Admiral Ogalla hails Rear Admiral Oyegade’s commitment to the Nigerian Navy saying he has represented Ogbomosoland “very very well. We are indeed very proud of him ”

He noted the Nigerian Navy focuses on executing “very impactful projects that will go a long way in impacting the community.”

He also expressed confidence that “the products of this centre will reach international fashion stage. We assure you of the cooperation of the Nigerian Navy with this community,” adding, “It is hoped this project will address the objectives and ideals for which it is established – to improve civil-military relations.”

He subsequently handed over the keys to the centre to Kabiyesi. “The palace will take responsibility for this project,” Ogalla said.

3. ‘We hope this centre will boost Ogbomoso’s economy’ – Facilitator

Soun, Rear Admiral Oyegade and his wife Mrs Grace Oyegade

Rear Admiral Sunday John Oyegade, who is Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Institute of Technology, Delta, effusively thanked his principal Vice Admiral Ogalla for approving the funding of the project just as he thanked the Soun for providing the “vision and land for the project.”

He also expressed hope it would be “something of impact to the community. I was full of joy when l heard this is what the community needs, we had full support of the palace during the construction.”

The centre he stated has two weaving and spinning looms, housing and office space, showroom, restrooms (male and female), boreholes with water points, while urging that the kind gesture of the Nigerian Navy and of the Soun be reciprocated “by using this place well to boost economic activities in Ogbomoso.”

4. Onifedegbo and Ogbomoso North LG boss express appreciation

Both the Onifedegbo of Fedegbo Oba Gbadebo Gbolagunte Olaosebikan Takutanpa 1 and the chairman of Ogbomoso North local government Hon George Ogunlade expressed gratitude for the project.

Onifedegbo described the Soun as “Gift of love” to Ogbomoso, harping, “We thank God for giving us an Oba like this, he has a clear vision and is conscious of what he wants to do. I thank this illustrious son of Ogbomoso, Rear Admiral Oyegade whom Kabiyesi called and he answered. God is doing marvelous things for us and we are joyful.”

Hon Ogunlade also submitted, “Since the ascension of Kabiyesi to the throne, Ogbomoso has been progressing, new things are coming up.”

He particularly eulogized the Soun for his efforts in stimulating people in the diaspora to return home to contribute to the development of the town. “They now remember home and come home to do things. An example is Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade. Oba Ghandi is a lover of Ogbomoso. His efforts are now yielding fruitful results.”

5. Presentation of souvenir to Soun and Onifedegbo

Vice Admiral Ogalla presented souvenirs to the Soun and Onifedegbo in commemoration of the event.

Rear Admiral Sulaiman Ibrahim who represented the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel I. Ogalla, presents souvenir to the Soun

Presentation of souvenir to Onifedegbo

6. Roll call of guests

Some other guests at the occasion are High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin (Areago of Ogbomosoland), High Chief Adeniran Ojo (Ikolaba of Ogbomosoland), High Chief Kasali Oladipo (Abese of Ogbomosoland), High Chief Oluwakemi Ogundare (Iyalode of Ogbomosoland), and other sectional chiefs.

Also in attendance were Oloolo of Oolo HRM Oba Michael Oyebunmi Ajayi, Onisapa of Isapa Kingdom Oba Ezekiel Bolarinwa Olajide, members of the Oyegade clan led by Mr. Adejumo Oyegade, Commandant Navy Secondary School Ogbomoso Commander Sanni and other senior Naval Officers and members of Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye led by home headquarters chairman Prince Aderemi Olude

7. Who are the Oyegades?

According to an uncle of Rear Admiral Sunday Oyegade, Mr. Adejumo Oyegade, the Oyegade clan belongs to the Eegun Nla compound of Osupa in Ogbomoso. However, the lineage he hails from has built another compound at Abepe named Oyegade Odejinmi Compound. His father is Pa Edward Oyegade while his mother is Mama Mopelola Oyegade (who was at the occasion). The family lived in the North. Today,.the senior Naval officer has become a pride of not only the family but of Ogbomoso and the whole Nigerian Armed Forces. Her sister Mrs. Adenike Adesanya similarly expressed joy for the feat achieved by her immediate younger brother.