Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Tuesday, presented the staff of office and instrument of office, to the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye.
This is just as he appealed to all those who contested the stool to sheath their sword and withdraw court cases in the interest of peace of the ancient town.
Makinde while speaking at the Ogbomoso township stadium venue of the event, urged the aggrieved to do so before the week runs out, warning that if they refused to heed his plea he would not hesitate to wage battle against them with everything within the powers of government.
Dignitaries from all walks of large that witnessed the historic event include a former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who was represented by Sir Olusegun Adekunle; Chairman, Nigerias Governors Forum (NGF), Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara) who was represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi and Governor Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
Traditional rulers present are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Olu of Warri, Ogiamme Atunwase III; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun; Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale, among many others.
Governor Makinde while congratulating the new monarch, urged him to work for the unity of the town, the traditional council and the state as a whole.
He said, “I rejoice with the sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland. I have discussed with Kabiyesi privately the steps that must be taken to ensure the unity of Ogbomosoland. It is not just for the unity and progress of Ogbomosoland.
“You have to work for the unity of the traditional Council in Oyo state. There is no central unity in the traditional Council and I want you to work on it as you have a role to play in it.
“The other thing I want to say is with those who contested the throne with the Kabiyesi. As at last week, some people are still in court with injunctions. The contestation for the throne is behind us and I am looking forward to those in court withdrawing their court cases by the end of this week as a show of love for Ogbomosoland.
“So the people fighting must stop. If they don’t, I as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, we are in the fight together and I will ensure we fight them with everything within the powers of the government.
“I am a believer in the Constitutional roles for our traditional rulers and I will appeal to our new Kabiyesi to work for the progress of the state.”
In his goodwill remarks, Prof. Osinbajo who lauded the new monarch, described him as a man who loves people and speak the truth always.
According to him, the two qualities are essentially needed by any leader, expressing optimism that the people of Ogbomosoland will soon begin to feel the positive impact of the new monarch while praying for the successful reign of the new monarch.
He said, “I congratulate Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the choice of the people in Ghandi Olaoye. The person who is the new Soun is my close and intimate friend. What I know about him that makes me happy that he is our new king is that he is a man who love people and humanity and I am sure he will show the love.
“He is a truthful person. He doesn’t lie. All I see about him is that a king must love his people and be truthful. God will help you and support you.”
In their separate goodwill messages, the SGF, Governor Abdulrazaq and Governor Adeleke, commended Governor Makinde, the new monarch and the people of Ogbomosoland on their choice and prayed for success for the new monarch.
Oba Olaoye in his acceptance speech after receiving his staff and instrument of office, called on all the stakeholders in the town to work together to ensure that Ogbomosholand fulfils the great potential that the Almighty God has imbued them with.
“No community can embark on significant development without the government’s input. We are thankful for the role that the government at all three levels federal, state and local government has played in developing Ogbomosho Land in the past and continue to play.
“Let my coronation be a celebration and a collective reaffirmation of our shared destiny. I intend to be a King to serve you all irrespective of religion, gender or other things that may differentiate us. The strength of our Kingdom lies not only in the crown I wear but in the bonds that bind us together: the bonds of loyalty, respect and mutual understanding”, he said.
He added that his service is premised on a clear vision of a prosperous and peaceful Ogbomosholand which rests on a detailed 25-year plan, to be unveiled in the coming months.
“My service is premised on a clear vision. I am very aware of the words that the wisest of Kings recorded for us in the book of Proverbs that without a vision, the people perish.
“My vision for a prosperous and peaceful Ogbomosho Land rests on a detailed 25-year plan, to be unveiled in the coming months.
“I promise to serve this vision with all I have, the relationships I have built over the years here in Nigeria and abroad, the experience I have garnered from running several successful businesses, and the skills garnered from more than 30 years of pastoring churches and other pastors.
“As I have said on several occasions, I have stopped being a church pastor and now become a shepherd of a people. The people whom I will serve as a shepherd are not just Christians but also Moslems and who follow the various African religions. As your sovereign, I promise to uphold the values that define us a commitment to justice, equity and compassion. Let these be our watchwords in Ogbomosho Land”, the new Soun added.
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
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