- Oba Afolabi Olaoye enters Ogbomoso palace to begin his reign as the 30th Soun of Ogbomoso land
- Traditional rites, including a visit to historical compounds and rituals, mark the start of his rule
On Thursday, newly installed Oba Afolabi Olaoye entered the palace in Ogbomoso to begin his reign.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this occurred after he completed the final series of traditional rites to become the 30th Soun of Ogbomoso land.
The rites marked the end of the new traditional ruler’s mandatory seven-day seclusion, during which he visited some historical compounds in town.
Oba Olaoye, dressed in a golden agbada, a white royal cap, and black shoes, held the white horsewhip.
The whip was given to him at the “Abata” shrine, where all of Ogbomoso’s previous Soun were laid to rest.
An indigene who is familiar with Ogbomoso traditions and spoke with NAN on the condition of anonymity said the ritual was performed to ensure a peaceful and long reign.
The new Soun then danced for a few minutes to several traditional local tunes provided by drummers before proceeding to other rites inside the palace.
The installation was carried out by High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, the Areago of Ogbomoso land, and other kingmakers.
Olaoye was proclaimed “His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Orumogege III and the 30th Soun of Ogbomoso.”
Mr Gbile Akanni, the Coordinator of Peace House, urged the traditional ruler to live above board by demonstrating exemplary conduct in administering the town in his remarks at the palace.
The cleric who backed his remarks with Biblical verses said the people of Ogbomoso expect the traditional ruler to be a true custodian of tradition, culture and values.
”You are to display a high level of decorum and avoid any form of covetous attitude.”
He pledged the loyalty of the sons and daughters of Ogbomoso, as well as other residents, to the throne in maintaining peace in the town.
Akanni urged all to see the issue of security as a responsibility of all and urged them to continue to co-exist in peace.
Addressing the crowd, the new Soun of Ogbomoso land, thanked everyone for their love and support and assured them that a new light was set to shine on the town.
He pleaded with all sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, to return home and contribute their quota to the development of the town.
This is a new dawn in the town and factories shall flood the town to ensure that sons and daughters of the town no longer beg for jobs as there would be enough to accommodate them.
It is God that sent me and asked me to make sure I give you a new Ogbomoso land to make the town a new brand in the comity of its peers.
The much-awaited development has started immediately. Factories are coming, not just one, but in several folds.
It won’t be that you will be crying for employment henceforth, because it is already here with us in Ogbomoso.
I don’t talk much, but I assure you that you will henceforth be seeing action that will give everyone a fresh hope and that will make everybody proud of coming from this town called Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye said.
The prayer sessions by representatives of the town’s major religions were the highlight of the brief ceremony at the palace.
Olaoye was chosen as the new Soun of Ogbomoso by the kingmakers in the early hours of Friday.
On Saturday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approved his appointment as one of the state’s first-class traditional rulers.
The throne has been vacant since Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi, Ajagungbade III, passed away on December 12, 2021.
Oba Rashid Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo land, attended the ceremony on Thursday.
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