Ogbomoso Parapo launches ‘Operation Oneness Initiative’
Jeremiah OYELEKE
Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaaye has flagged off “Operation Isokan Lafe Ni Ijoba Maraarun TI O Wa Ni Ogbomoso Zone,” (Operation Oneness in Ogbomoso zone), which primary objective is unity in the five local governments of Ogbomoso zone particularly among the traditional rulers.
The launch of the initiative Thursday took place at the meeting of the home zone of the association, held at Ogunlola (mini) Hall, Oja’gbo.
Home zone chairman, Prince Aderemi Olude, stated the initiative was unveiled in order “to forge greater unity and cooperation among our traditional rulers. That is what will stimulate growth and development in the zone.”
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Olude, a prince of Onpetu Ijeru, noted this has become imperative in view of the many setbacks he posited Ogbomoso has suffered in recent times and which may persist.
“We need unity and cooperation among our natural rulers,” he said. “Because of lack of unity we are denied a powerful front, which continues to affect us adversely. If there is unity among our traditional rulers, the Faculty of Agriculture, LAUTECH (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology), as am instance, would not have been relocated. Politicians are driven by personal interests and that is why the faculty was successfully moved, we have discovered it’s not the governor who’s behind this move but some selfish individuals. They want to destroy that institution by excising more faculties, we will continue to fight it at our level but we need our royal fathers to work together for this sinister motive to be effectively quashed.
“There is also the issue of state creation that has remained in the horizon, after Ibadan, it is Ogbomoso, if our Obas unite, we should not have problem achieving the goal to make Ogbomoso capital of a state. It is part of the reasons we are convinced about this initiative.”
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Expressing confidence the goal will be achieved, he disclosed a team would be raised to be composed of representatives from the five local government areas, which would tour the council areas to “consult with the traditional rulers and seek ways we can relieve the grievances of each and everyone of them. Many of them are clergymen, we believe this will come into play. Unity and cooperation are imperative in our land.”
Olude commended the Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye for trying to bring others on board and foster unity, “However, we want to accelerate the process. We will pray to achieve this mission, we urge every indigene to love their town, refrain from instigating animosity, to seek to douse tension and divisiveness. After love for God, it is love of one’s town that should be paramount,” he averred.
