Ogbomoso Township Stadium on Tuesday experienced an historic moment as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde presented the Instrument of Office and Staff of Office to the newly appointed Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.
The event marked the culmination of a process initiated on September 2 when Governor Makinde approved the selection of Oba Olaoye from the Olaoye Ruling House.
Makinde, while presenting the staff of office to the new Soun, said, “I will now hand over the Instrument of Office and Staff of Office to Oba Ghandi Olaoye, Orumogege III.”
The installation, led by the kingmakers of the ancient town and spearheaded by the Areago of Ogbomoso, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, took place on September 8. Oba Olaoye now assumes the revered role of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, with a call for unity and collaboration with other contestants to foster the town’s progress.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Olaoye said,
“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 Ogbomosholand 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”, Oba Olaoye assured.
Distinguished guests at the presentation included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja III; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; immediate past Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun; former Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed, among other eminent Nigerians.
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