'I won't disappoint,' Soun reassures subjects as he visits Ekiti, restates call for constitutional role for Obas

Image caption: The Soun (second right) and Ewi (second left)), flanked by Alajaawa (right) and another person at the palace of Ewi.

‘I won’t disappoint,’ Soun reassures subjects as he visits Ekiti, restates call for constitutional role for Obas

Yinka ADETUNJI

The Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III has reiterated his determination not to fall short of the lofty expectations regarding his leadership position in the ancient city just as he called on government to assign constitutional role for royal fathers.

Oba Ghandi made these disclosures in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, Monday, while speaking with indigenes of Ogbomosoland and at the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III.

Soun during townhall meeting encouraged Ogbomosos in the city to begin to return home to contribute to its development particularly in the efforts to rebuild it into a model city.

The co-chairman of Oyo State Traditional Council re-affirming the genetic composition of bravery and entrepreneurship embedded in Ogbomosos’ DNA urged them to take advantage of this to develop the community.

He also noted he had identified that the bulk of the change envisaged would be initiated mostly by Ogbomoso people in the diaspora (all those living beyond the physical shores of the city), asserting this is what stimulates his visits to them, dispelling the fears of attacks by witches and wizards.

“I want to re-emphasize that Ogbomosos have the DNA of warriors and entrepreneurship, this runs in our blood. I so much believe this should translate into development at home. Let’s begin to come home to see what we can do to change the shape of our city. Be assured there are no more witches and wizards in Ogbomoso. I am inviting you to come and contribute your quotas to the development of Ogbomoso City,” Oba Ghandi said.

Expressing appreciation for the large turn out in welcoming him, he promised “never to disappoint them. I have a message that Ogbomoso children have to listen to. Let me stress that the whole idea is to turn Ogbomoso into a model city. And l have realized that those that matter in this transformation agenda are not within the town and because of this l have decided to pay a visit to every major town with a preponderance of Ogbomoso sons and daughters.”

Speaking at the palace of Ewi, Soun also reminded government of the need to reintegrate Obas into governance.

He stressed this is important for the fact that traditional rulers directly associate with the people at the grassroots urging government to re-create roles for the Obas.

“I pray God will help traditional leaders to be able to do everything within their capacity so that the government would give them roles to play because royal fathers are the ones closest to the masses. Whenever there is a crisis or any issue of importance in the community, it is the traditional rulers the citizens run to. Many issues that could have degenerated into crises, royal fathers quickly nip them in the bud and ensure that peace reigns. So, it is important that government accommodates traditional rulers by giving them specific roles.”

Responding, Oba Adejugbe expressed happiness at the visit, showering the Soun and his entourage with praises and prayers.

The Ewi who acknowledged Soun’s former role as a cleric said he was certain that now that he is “Shepherd over the whole of Ogbomoso community he would succeed.”

On the issue of roles for the royal fathers in government, the Ewi advised, “The royal fathers must be ready to work together as a team to make this realisable. If snakes move in group their power will be awesome.”

He appreciated Oba Ghandi and his entourage, praying God would give them a safe trip back home.

Paying homage

Iyalode Ogbomosoland

Rev’d Peter Olaleye Special Assistant on Media and Community Relations to Oba Ghandi

Ewi with Soun

Appreciating the Ewi and his chiefs, a leader of the Ogbomoso Community in Ekiti State, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, and who is the incoming Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), submitted, “We are grateful for this grand reception organised for the Soun of Ogbomosoland, we appreciate the Ewi. I promise to stay in touch with the Ewi of Ado Ekiti.”

In states visited by the Soun in the past he made sure to visit the governor and the paramount ruler (s) in those state.

Alajaawa of Ajaawa, HRM Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji; the Iyalode of Ogbomosoland High Chief Rebecca Oluwakemi Ogundare! and Alaroje of Aroje are some that made the trip with Soun.