On December 19, 2023, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, will be officially presented with the instrument of office by the consenting authority, affirming his enthronement as a first-class king in Yorubaland.
Ascending the throne of his forebears is an assignment destined for “Pastor Ghandi by God, and the geography of destiny did not allow him to miss his way back to the throne. Just like Yoruba will say, Atoba tele ko to j’oba, the new Soun of Ogbomoso has been living like a king, teaching, dining, and winning with the leaders of this world before God ordered him back to his roots to go and use his wealth of experience, influence, and everything he has blessed him with for the advance transformation of Ogbomosoland, Oyo State, and Yorubaland at large.
As a prince and a true child of God, his disposition to come back home and become Soun of Ogbomoso wasn’t a dream he wished to actualise; despite his closeness to the late Soun, he only wanted to continue to be relevant at home and contribute his quota to the development of his community, but God arrested him and ordered him to go back home and join forces with the good heads at home to reclaim, rebuild, and transform Ogbomoso; hence the journey begins.
John 16:33 says, “In this world, you will face trials and tribulations, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” This establishes that when God gives you an assignment or sends you an errand, it doesn’t mean there won’t be hitches; there will be a crisis, obstructions, and so many other forms of distraction. But no matter the gravity of such antagonism, God’s words will be established, as in the book of Isaiah 55:11.
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Right from the process of selection to the day he was interviewed and denied before the intervention of the Kingmakers, to the delay over the court proceedings, and to the 30th of August when Gov. Makinde announced his name, and till date, there have been issues that ordinarily should discourage him from continuing with the journey to the throne. Still, because he is a son of God and I remember him saying, “God sent me to be king,” as a son of God, he cannot be denied the grace to come and lead his people to greatness. One can see that God truly loves the Ogbomoso people. That was why he torches the heart and directs Pastor Ghandi to come home and lead the people, and just like he told me when he directed him to go and liberate the children of Israel from Egypt, “My presence will go with you and will take you to the promised land.”.
Oba Olaoye’s enthronement is significant, and it is expected that his reign will be a watershed in the history of Ogbomoso. His speech during Ikije affirmed it when he said Ogbomoso would be different in development. In terms of peace, Ogbomoso will be different. I want you to know that it is a new thing in Ogbomosoland. Imole tuntun lo de yi (A new light has come). Ire tuntun lo de yi (A new goodness has come).
“Many knew what has been happening and what we have passed through, but we will leave that behind us. For those who are aggrieved, let us unite to develop Ogbomosoland. Let us unite so we can move Ogbomoso forward. Let us eschew violence; if we love this city, we will rebuild it together. It is God that sent me to rebuild this city, to work for the progress of this city.” We have not come to the throne to make wealth; God has given us wealth; we have not come to make a name; God has given us that. Our goal is to put Ogbomoso in its rightful place. I assure you, we will make Ogbomoso more extraordinary. What we have come to do in Ogbomoso has started today; the development of Ogbomoso has started today, and new glory has begun. Things will change. Good things, such as industries, will spring up—not one but many. God will give us many.”
“I don’t talk much; it is the action you will see,” asking, “What did I say?” To which the people echoed, “Action!” He continued, “That is what you will see in the name of the Lord.”
Let me conclude by congratulating the sons and daughters of Ogbomoso on this incredible blessing in our community and appreciating all those God has been using in one way or another to fulfil his words in Ogbomoso. I also appeal to the aggrieved members of the families and other stakeholders who are still not happy with the development to please sheath their swords, embrace peace, and support Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege 111, in making Ogbomoso a place of pride.
Kabiesi. ooo!
*Oladoye is the CEO of LUREM Media Services, a publisher of National Insight Online News.
