Details emerge of meeting of Ogbomoso Obas held at Soun Palace – list of attendees
Femi OGUNLANA
Advertisement
A new history was written Thursday in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, as 20 traditional rulers from the five local government areas of the zone converged on the palace of Soun to set agenda for the zone.
The meeting, which was the maiden one, and at the instance of the Soun His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, and attended by some other leading Obas in the zone, was said to be “highly successful and fruitful.”
“Out of 23 Obas invited 20 attended the meeting. The atmosphere was that of cordiality and relationship building,” a statement issued Friday, signed by the Coordinating Assistant to Oba Olaoye, Rev’d Peter Olaleye, says.
“The meeting was the maiden one, whose purpose was familiarization among the beaded crown Obas in the zone. You know we have a new Soun, who is passionately desirous of changing the narrative so there can be all round developments in the zone.”
The meeting, held at the private chamber of the palace, according to Rev’d Olaleye, would hold quarterly henceforth.
“This is just as His Majesty the Soun also took advantage of the gathering to share his 25 year development plan which is meant to complement Oyo stare government, with the other traditional rulers. The meeting was to set agenda for the zone,” the statement further notes.
Advertisement
“The gathering also deliberated on bringing to light the various challenges bedeviling the zone and how to proffer solutions in order to engender progress and development.
“The Kabiyesi invited them as brother Obas, and not in any other capacity. It is to reinforce that their destinies are joined together and must explore development together and he accorded them that reverence.”
The Coordinating Assistant to the Soun further explained the meeting aimed at restoring the “lost love and harmony” among traditional rulers and royal houses in the zone in the spirit of ”Ka fi ogbo kan ogbo.’
“Ogbomoso is a land of harmony, and that we have to restore. Kabiyesi won’t tamper with the domain of anyone. Every Oba has his domain which he said is sacrosanct. We can only collaborate on development.
Advertisement
“Everybody is happy with the new trend brokered and for being part of the historic meeting. Another one will hold in three months time.”
The statement also recalled how one of the Obas at the meeting “commended the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for choosing the person of Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye as the Soun of Ogbomosoland,” disclosing “they unanimously agreed to work together with Governor Makinde for a new Oyo State that he envisioned.”
Sources close to other Obas who attended the meeting spoken to by ogbomosoinsightonline.com corroborated the conviviality that permeated the gathering.
“They are trying to bring peace, unity and cooperation back to the zone,” one of the sources indicated.
“The meeting is very germane. It’s found out that out of the five geopolitical zones in the state it is only Ogbomoso zone that has not been holding such meeting. That is one of the reasons this was initiated and we thank God the meeting was held yesterday and everything was successful. We thank God.
“Yes, 23 Obas were invited and we sent letters of invitation to everyone. But only 20 could attend. Yesterday, we just tried to familiarize ourselves, to know one another and to set agenda for the zone and by the grace of God we have agreed the meeting will be coming up every 3 months. In subsequent meetings we will be discussing the way forward..”
Advertisement
It was also disclosed, “As regards land trespassing rampant in the zone Kabiyesi Soun stated it is one of the issues they will be discussing, that it had been causing trouble and he encouraged all to desist from it.”‘
Another source close to one of the Obas informs, “Soun asserted all Obas reign over their respective people and that it is not possible for him to come to anyone’s domain to take their land, he said he can’t do it.
“Oba Olaoye stressed that if we unite, we will turn ourselves into a strong force and be reckoned with anywhere. It is a new dawn honestly.”
Traditional rulers who attended the meeting included, from Ogbomoso North: His Imperial Majesty, Soun of Ogbomosoland; His Royal Majesty, Aale Okelerin; High Chief Areago of Ogbomosoland; and High Chief Ikolaba of Ogbomosoland.
From Ogbomoso South: His Royal Majesty, Onisapa of Isapa; His Royal Highness, Onilagbedu of Lagbedu, Ogbomoso; and Olodanbon of Odanbon in Ogbomoso South.
Ogo-Oluwa local government: His Royal Majesty, Alajaawa of Ajaawa; His Royal Highness, Olotamokun of Otamokun; His Royal Highness, Oluwoate of Iwo Ate; His Royal Highness Olopete of Opete; and His Royal Highness Olubere of Ibere, Ogo Oluwa L. G..
Oriire local government: His Royal Majesty, Oloolo of Oolo; His Royal Highness, Olobamo of Obamo; and His Royal Highness, Alara of Fapote.
From Surulere local government: His Royal Majesty, Oloko of Oko; His Royal Majesty, Onijabata of Jabata; and His Royal Majesty, Alapa of Okin Apa.
