Onisapa appeals for peace, unity in Ogbomoso, counsels against denigration of Soun

Onisapa appeals for peace, unity in Ogbomoso, counsels against denigration of Soun

Yinka ADETUNJI

The need for promotion of greater peace and unity has been identified as a vital factor in the drive to making Ogbomosoland greater.

This is the submission of the Orisatolu of Isapa Kingdom HRM Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide Olajide 1, in his congratulatory message to Christians on the celebration of Easter which held earlier this week.

He also frowned at the constant denigration of the throne of Soun and of the occupier submitting that an insult on the Soun is an insult on Ogbomoso.

In a signed statement made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com, Oba Olajide noted that if Ogbomoso could forge unity and cooperation and settle their differences to attain greater peace, greater heights would be achieved.

“I greet Christians on the celebration of Easter. It is my prayer that the death of Jesus Christ will not be in vain in our lives. I greet all Ogbomosos.

“My main message is that we should allow peace to reign in Ogbomoso and so l appeal to the elders to work towards achieving peace. A peace meeting should be convened urgently.

“Also, all traditional rulers from the five local governments in Ogbomoso zone need to come together so as to foster peace and progress in Ogbomosoland.”

This is as the monarch urged all to support the development agenda of the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, saying the Soun remains the head of the traditional settings in the zone.

The Orisatolu, also known as Onisapa, emphasized, echoing the Soun that there could not be two heads and that anything that has two heads has become a gnome.

“I similarly want to urge us to unite behind His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III and support his developmental strides. He is the head of traditional rulers in Ogbomoso zone. No matter how big a town is, there can only be one head. Anything with two heads has become a gnome. I plead with all of us who are kings to cooperate for the progress of Ogbomosoland.”

Onisapa in the same vein appealed to religious leaders to engage in intense prayers for the peace of Ogbomoso and to eschew sermons capable of igniting crises, adding “May we not have war or conspiracy in our land.”

In addition, he urged politicians and the youths to help in fostering peace, particularly admonishing politicians not to hide under the conflicts in the town to thwart developmental efforts and promises.

To the youths, he counselled, “We are entering into another season of politics. As youths we should be wary of becoming willing tools for evil plots in the hand of politicians. We should primarily be concerned about their contributions when they were holding offices and what they intend to do for us if they are supported with votes. Let it be known that we know politicians who are not doing well.”

The Oba likewise appealed to “bloggers in Ogbomoso” to be mindful of their reports and to learn “to refrain from volatile stories capable of triggering crises. They should rather concentrate on news items that promote peace and progress, they need to be wary in order not to be devil’s tool against Ogbomoso.”

In similar vein, he pleaded with security agencies in Ogbomoso to be up and doing in discharging their constitutional roles. “They should be proactive by putting reins on certain individuals engaging in wrongdoings or in acts capable of igniting conflicts in the community. Many citizens do not know what they are doing violates the laws of the land. This is where security agencies should come in; they should check loose canons whose utterances amplify the feud.”

Orisatolu concluded by emphasizing, “Let’s cooperate with our King the Soun. Without a leader there can’t be progress. If we insult Soun it is Ogbomoso we are insulting. And my belief is that whoever is addressed as leader is a servant, he is responsible to the led. So, let’s cooperate with him. Long live Nigeria. Long live Oyo state. Long live Ogbomoso. Long live Ogbomoso South. Long live Isapa family.”