The Soun-designate of Ogbomoso, Prince Afolabi Olaoye has been admonished to build on the legacy of the immediate past monarch, Late Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111.

Oba Oyewumi died in 2021 after a brief illness. His demise has left the stool vacant for 20 months until the recent approval of Prince Olaoye as succeeding monarch by Governor Seyi Makinde.

His approval and commencement of traditional rites as the new monarch has been described as a welcome development bearing his wealth of experience in different sectors of the economy.

The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin who is a secondary school mate of the new monarch felicitated as well admonished him to honour all men irrespective of their religion, ages and class in the society.

Oba Abolarin urged the monarch to act in accordance with the scripture, especially as it entails in 1 Peters 2:17.

According to him, “Monarchs are Shepherd and as Christians we have been admonished to honour all men.

“Also, the fear of God must be your watchword. I don’t have problem with that because as a priest in the temple of God, you must have the fear of God.

“All men must be honoured, the poor, the rich, the traditional worshippers and other classes of people. That is who a leader is in Yorubaland and Worldwide.

“I wish him a successful stay on the throne and as well thank Governor Makinde for making it happen in his own time.”

Also, the Muslim community in Ogbomosoland has felicitated Prince Olaoye, Soun-elect.

The Muslim community in a statement signed by the Grand Chief Imam, Tellat, Yunus Olushina Ayilara 11 described his selection as a welcome development.

The statement reads, “I am pleased to on behalf of the entire Muslim Imams of Ogbomosoland congratulate Prince Afolabi Olaoye as the Soun elect of Ogbomosoland.

“For nearly five decades, we enjoyed an esteemed and distinguished leadership of the land and for about 20 months now, we have been in dire bereavement as our exalted stool has been vacant. It is indeed a new Dawn in Ogbomosoland, a new beginning and a new part to chart the progress of our glorious land.

“Hence, I feel elated and hereby enjoined all Ogbomoso indigenes at home and in the diaspora to join hands with our Soun elect, Prince Afolabi Olaoye in building a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous Ogbomosoland.

“May Almighty Allah bestowed upon him Knowledge and wisdom and Grant long life and good health. Bless his reign and increase Ogbomosoland in abundance.”

Also in his congratulatory message, the immediate past Chief Press secretary to Oyo state Governor and General editor of Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, described the selection and approval of Prince Olaoye as a welcome development.

He said the ancient town has been waiting for the enthronement of a new king after the demise of Oba Oyewumi.

He described the reign of the late monarch as peaceful and urged the new monarch to build on his legacy.According to him, “the indigenes of Ogbomosoland has never expected that it would take too long to have another monarch after demise of Oba Oyewumi.

“The approval of Prince Olaoye as Soun elect is a welcome development. The people of Ogbomosoland are expecting him to bring his wealth of experience to bear in transforming the land.

“There are lots of developmental ideas that indigenes have come up with including Ogbomoso University and others. We hope that our Kabiyesi will key into this noble ideas that are geared towards transforming Ogbomoso to a cosmopolitan city.” (Saturday Tribune)

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