It’s personal loss – Alao-Akala
BY AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, IBADAN
Sons and daughters of Ogbomoso in Oyo State were thrown into mourning in the early hours of Sunday as news of the passage of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, filtered through the city.
Hours after the Gbagun Ruling House of Ogbomoso confirmed the demise of the Soun of Ogbomoso, the people of the town were still in shock and disbelief over the sad news.
The royal house officially announced the demise of the 95-year-old monarch in a statement signed by Dr Aderemi Oyewumi, on Sunday.
The statement read, “With total submission to the will of Almighty God and on behalf of Gbagun Ruling House, we announce the death of our father, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, CON, CFR, Soun of Ogbomoso who passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 12th December, 2021, marking the end of 48 years of a glorious reign.”
A former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, who is a prominent indigene of Ogbomoso, described the death of the monarch as a personal loss, saying that the deceased was a father figure to him.
In a condolence message made available to journalists, the former governor stated, “Kabiyesi was an all round figure in my life. He was a father, mentor and teacher who did not hesitate to spare the rod when need be to whip me back into line.
“As the Bobagunwa of Ogbomosoland, (a honourary titled Chief to Kabiyesi), I became a member of the inner recces of the palace and I saw, first hand, a just and fair king who led Ogbomosoland with the fear of God.
“Kabiyesi never ruled over Ogbomosoland, he led us into global fame and recognition. Baba brought Ogbomosoland into international reckoning and brought about a huge deal of developments.
“Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade will be sorely missed as a great man of exemplary character, a witty, never compromising king and a man who held on the noble virtues of culture and tradition till he breathed his last. May God almighty grant sweet repose to the soul of Kabiyesi.”
Olamijuwonlo, Alao-Akala’s son, who was Chairman, Ogbomoso North Local Government Council Area, said that the people of the state, especially indigenes of Ogbomoso, would miss the late monarch considering his worth and contribution to the growth and development of the community.
“I want to sympathize with the (royal) family and the people of Ogbomosoland and Oyo State over the death of our great king. Though we would have loved to have baba around for some years to come but God knows best. Moreover, apart from the fact that baba lived long on earth and spent quality time on the throne, he left behind children who are blazing the trails in their fields of endeavors.
“Also, the monarch attracted many developmental projects to our town during his close to five decades on the throne. I want to urge the Ogbomoso people home and abroad, and Nigerians at large to remember Ogbomoso and the royal family in their prayers.”
A cross-section of people in the town described the monarch as a mam of integrity, a lover of truth and justice.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, a serving National Assembly member, Senator Kola Balogun; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; and a host of other prominent members of the society have sympathized with the royal family and the people of Ogbomoso on the monarch’s passage.
President Buhari, in a message signed by his Media Aide, Femi Adesina, said that the reigns of Oba Oyewumi reinforced Ogbomoso as a land of peace, saying that he would be remembered for his invaluable counsels and contributions to the unity and harmony of human society.
Governor Makinde, noting that the monarch made lasting impact to the development of his domain and the state at large, described his passage as a huge loss to Ogbomoso, Oyo State and humanity in general.
The governor said, “I received the news of the passage unto glory of our father Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi, the Soun of Ogbomosoland with shock.
“Though Kabiyesi lived up to the age 95, his death at this time is still a huge loss to the state and the traditional institution, because he created a vacuum not only in Ogbomosoland but also in the entire state and the nation.
“In Kabiyesi, we had a quintessential monarch, who loved and worked for peace and development. In his years on the throne of his forebears, Oba Oyewumi made a lasting impact on Ogbomosoland and by extension Oyo State.
“On behalf of the people and Government of Oyo State, I hereby express our heart-felt condolences to the immediate family of the departed monarch and the people of Ogbomosoland. I also commiserate with the Oyo State Council Obas, which has lost a prominent member in Oba Oyewumi.”
Ogundoyin, on his part, described the late monarch as one of the most successful traditional rulers in the South-West, while the Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Adeolu Akande, described the transition of the First Class monarch as a monumental loss to the people of Ogbomoso and Oyo state as a whole.
Senator Balogun, who represents Oyo South at the National Assembly, described the demise of the king as the passing of an iconic traditional ruler, who did his best for his people and community.
Balogun, in a statement by his media aide, Dapo Falade, condoled with the Oyo State Government, the people of Ogbomoso and the family of the late foremost traditional ruler.
The statement read that “It is true that no one would be happy with the passing of his or her loved ones, no matter the age. However, it is appointed unto every mortal to taste death and we shall all go at our appointed time.
“More importantly, we should thank God for the life of baba, Oba Oladunni Oyewunmi, the Soun of Ogbomoso. He not only lived up to a ripe old age, he also lived an impactful life,”
Oba Oyewumi, who served as Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs for a term of two years in 1995, was the pioneer Chancellor, Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State.
