Oba Ogbomoso is working, enterprising, unperturbed
Femi OGUNLANA
Ogbomoso has always been led traditionally by efficient, capable Obas, which underscores the eminent status it has attained. From a listless camp under a tree, it has expanded to a metropolis surviving countless hazardous tempests. The Obas have always come with vitality borne by one aim – making the realm greater than they met it.
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The current monarch, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, installed on September 8, 2023, came with a massive deal of zeal, to bolster the vista of the city. In a little over seven months Oba Ghandi has not disappointed. He has performed beyond expectations, one can boldly assert. He came with a vision and mission to steer the community higher from the pinnacle his predecessor late Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III JP CON CFR took it. Ajagungbade III unyieldingly cemented the status of the kingdom as an imperial city by overcoming overwhelming odds, aside thrusting her forward in several other fronts – educational, economic, social and what have you. It was obvious at his passing that his successor would face herculean task matching the preeminent height he reached not to talk of surpassing it.
But the Soun stool is an amazing institution, it has proven time and again that it attracts and nurtures competent hands capable of sustaining the illustrious legacy of the dynasty.
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Oba Orumogege III has shown us in seven months that he is not inferior in capacity and capability. He is a man fit to bear the scepter. His Majesty came with a vision and mission which he is unfolding gradually and this he is matching with requisite action and enterprise. He is working assiduously to spark a spike in development. He has enunciated it several times that he wants to create a smart city that will be a hub of digitalization and technological advancement and applications to solve problems, a city that is eco-friendly and supports tourism. He has set himself a challenging task, assuring however that is what he would devote the rest of his life to, that failure is not in his lexicon and warning naysayers would not thrive in his orbit. The only thing he pleads is cooperation and belief from his people. He has indeed packaged a 25-year development plan, which he plans to unveil any time. The document is still being tinkered to incorporate new ideas. He is not seeking personal glory he has emphasized but the glory of the realm, and he affirms, in the journey, he isn’t obsessed with being a superstar in the firmament of Ogbomoso but to have several stars forging ahead and collaborating to bring about the El Dorado envisioned. He is giving hope.
In the meantime, he is pushing for restoration of fundamental infrastructure and amenities as basis to launch the new deal. Presently, the Ogbomoso water scheme is being resuscitated for pipe borne water; this drive he has set in motion by mobilizing some wealthy citizens to make donations which he augmented. Kabiyesi in an unprecedented manner approached the state government for collaboration on the project and today the city is close to having portable water running in her pipes as the Water Corporation of Oyo state under Hon Adeojo Elias enthusiastically provided the needed framework to accomplish the target in terms of supervision, technical support and whatnots. Kabiyesi personally has visited the water dam abandoned for decades to assess the level of derelict and has been going to inspect the work being done.
Ramping up the provision of electricity in the city is another of his fancy. Oba Ghandi has called on the Ministry of Power in Abuja on more than one occasions to solicit assistance towards the completion of the 133KV substation being built in Ogbomoso since the 2000s. He has extracted assurance from the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on completion of the project, which many see as panacea to the power predicament in the community. In fact, it is learnt he is billed to pay another visit to Abuja any moment. Aside, he is connecting other private firms on how to improve the power situation. He is not resting on his oars, he is working round the clock to change the narrative.
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Furthermore, he is seeing to the activation of the international market built by the Oyo state government in the city and commissioned as far back as 2007, but which remained under locks and keys. The monarch met with the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, on how to give life to the market. Without a thriving modern market, the goal of building an economically virile community will be difficult, hence his push in this direction, and he is impressively recording successes. The butchers who had for years refused to relocate from the old abattoirs at Oja’tuntun to their section of the new market have now agreed to do so after the purposeful intervention of Oba Ghandi. Thus, facilities at the new abattoirs have been ratcheted up for smooth operations. Measures have been initiated to also ensure other locked sections are loosened. All efforts are geared to making the market work and it is said the Oba has mooted the idea of turning Ogbomoso into a large warehouse of exchange of goods ans services between the north and the southwest in view of the gateway status of the city.
His Majesty has also taken some strides in road infrastructure. He saw personally to filling of potholes in the metropolis weeks before his coronation in December which brought some relief. Also, he once met with contractors handling the Ogbomoso/Oyo section of the Ibadan/Ilorin new highway, on how to expedite action on the completion of the project. That was before the recent abandonment suffered by the project due to exhaustion of fund. Completion of that road he knows will be a great elixir to making Ogbomoso work.
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In addition, Oba Orumogege III has been meeting with critical stakeholders both internally and externally to inspire growth. Indigenes who can propel growth have become his friends. Brother traditional rulers he is reaching out to, to explore areas of cooperation. He is bringing his vitality to bear to create vitality and visibility for the dominion. Men of amazing ideas have found his palace a haven; they flock there without discrimination to share their vision with him and he has been embracing them, not failing to charge them to go all out to help build a more virile zone. He is an inspiration; he earlier this week paid a visit to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on familiarization during which the Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Rasaq Olatunde ROM Kalilu revealed how the monarch facilitated prospects for international grants for the institution. The Oba is that passionate even as he charged the university to seek to up the ante and become a peer of the best in the world rather than being content with the rank of best state university.
Oba Olaoye also understands the imperative of unity particularly among traditional rulers in the zone and when news filtered in recently that he hosted a meeting of Obas (and chiefs) in the zone, the move, in sync with the aspiration of the people ignited high commendations in his favour. A pedestal of unity will steer the zone ahead towards the El Dorado.
One other laudable thing about his reign and way is that he is unperturbed by setbacks or flagrant disregard and affront to his position and person. He has been butt of unprovoked vituperative outbursts, some unexpected, some mischievous, some denigrating, some sinister, but he doesn’t appear to be perturbed. All through he has maintained stoic dignity and equanimity, never losing his cool. He leads with wisdom, humility, restraint, focus, perception, conviction and comportment. He has several times demonstrated leadership examples worthy of emulations. He is not covetous, he is not overreaching, he is a man of peace borne only by positive vibes.
In the long run, meanwhile, his work will be done when businesses of various scales begin to spring up. The birth of industries, outlets dispensing various services, more educational institutions that will open new vistas and absorb thousands of unemployed youths and attract many others to the community in quest of jobs and a bubbling environment, will be the crowning glory of his efforts. That is when he can take his place among the greatest monarchs the city has had.
But for now, he has left no one in doubt that he is a working, action, enterprising Oba.
May his reign be peaceful, long, fruitful and productive.
May his fabulous dreams for the realm be realized.
