Soun makes historic visit to Aale Okelerin Ogbomoso
Femi OGUNLANA
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A new history was written in Ogbomoso Oyo state Wednesday as the traditional ruler of the community the Soun Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege lll paid a courtesy visit to Aale of Okelerin Oba Samuel Baabatunde Oyebamiji Amao in his palace at Okelerin, Ogbomoso.
The visit broke a decadeslong row sparked by a conflict of interests between the immediate past Soun Oba (Dr) Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade lll JP CON CFR and Oba Samuel Amao, which saw the Aale stop attending traditional council meetings at the Soun’s palace.
However, this sordid history began to lose its grip following the enthronement of Oba Ghandi Olaoye in 2023 as the Aale renewed the hand of fellowship embracing the new Soun. He had indeed attended some functions at the palace since the coming of Oba Ghandi.
A new phase meanwhile unfolded Wednesday when Oba Ghandi stormed his palace to deepen the new found solidarity and alliance between the two stools.
“I have come for the visit in furtherance of my vision to foster unity and cooperation among traditional rulers in Ogbomoso zone,” Soun remarked according to a statement by the Palace of Aale made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com.
“Unity is paramount in order to achieve our collective goal of developing our zone. We will continue to explore all means to raise the bar of progress in our land.
“As Soun, l am ready to meet and relate with everyone for the progress of Ogbomoso. I will meet with critical stakeholders to re-usher our community or communities into the path of progress. I quite recognize the contribution of individual Obas to the progress of the zone. We must deliberate, work together to achieve our lofty goals.”
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Soun maintained, “We must develop the town to inspire those in the diaspora to come home. Light has come. It is a new dawn.”
He stressed that Ogbomoso people are domiciled in far-flung places of the world but noted this did not reflect in the fortune of the town even as he recalled a song by the Juju maestro Chief Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey in which he sang,”Ogbomoso je ka jo debe o, eyan nla lo lo Ogbomoso…” (That is Ogbomoso is populated by great people).
Soun now reiterated, “We are focused on making sure this town is transformed. Light has come, all what you are seeing is ageku ejo episode (desperation of the losing elements).
“We will achieve our goal. I am focused. I am certain this community will progress, the forces that are opposed to this are the ones that will leave. I do not favour any religion, l am king over all. My religion is in my heart.”
The Oba pointed out fighting over the stool of the Soun or any other on the basis of religion is taking one’s grace beyond reason asserting the founders of these stools are traditionalists.
“The founder of Ogbomoso, Ogunlola, is neither a Christian nor a Muslim but a traditionalist, likewise the founders of Okelerin, Isale-Ora and others, they were all founded by traditional religion worshipers.
“We Christians and Muslims should rather be thankful to them for giving us the chance to sit on the throne, they are the ones who are supposed to even be giving us trouble. So, all that you are hearing is ariwo oja (baseless argument).
“It is we the leaders that need to unite. The potential of this town is great.”
Delivering the vote of thanks Professor Jide Amao, was thankful for the visit which he described as “a renewal of the ancient covenant between the towns forged by their Alongo ancestors” the earliest settlers in Ogbomoso.
Prof Amao, a prince of Aale royal house and a university don, also commended the “humility” of Oba Ghandi which he noted is underscored by the visit while pledging the support of Okelerin people to the 25 year – development plan of the Ogbomoso paramount ruler, “Be assured of the support of the Oba of Okelerin and all Okelerins to your 25-year-development agenda. God will facilitate it. Under your reign Ogbomoso will experience peace, progress and you will overcome all the challenges arising.”
During a brief closed-door meeting the 82-year-old Oba Amao expressed happiness at the gesture of his guest noting the visit was incontestably historic.
He urged “the development of the land should be paramount in the heart of every inhabitant. We will work together to promote unity and development.”
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Aale also advised Oba Ghandi to remain steadfast and focused and to refuse to be “distracted by the hullabaloo rearing their ugly heads.”
“As the father of all you must embrace all and continue to work to achieve the transformation agenda you have set for the town.”
Chiefs of Aale, members of the royal family, Okelerin community leaders were among the personalities that were present during the visit.
The Soun was entertained with the Okelerin anthem as he set to depart, “Okelerin ilu ogbon, Okelerin ilu oye, ilu akoko l’Ogbomoso, Omo af’oko p’erin 2×
“Beru ba n bayin ewi o, eru o ba omo elerin,” which alludes proudly to the eminent position of Okelerin in the Ogbomoso socio-political milieu as the first settlement and to the inherent wisdom and intelligence of its people, their valour in striking down elephants with spear and fearlessness (in the face of danger).
