*a bridge builder – Bada Balogun Ibadanland
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content and Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Senator Teslim Folarin on Sunday said that the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oladunmi Oyewunmi will be long remembered for his towering role and dedication
Senator Folarin in a condolence message to the entire Soun royal families, the people of Ogbomoso and all Yoruba traditional rulers on the late Soun, said Oba Oyewumi during his lifetime was dedicated to improving the lives and aspirations of the people of Ogbomoso and Oyo State at large
Describing the late Oba as an extraordinary and committed traditional ruler, Senator Folarin emphasized that the late Oba Oyewumi will be long remembered for his towering role and dedication to improving the lives and aspirations of the people of Ogbomoso and Oyo State at large”
According to Senator Folarin, ” during the late Soun’s almost five decades reign, Ogbomoso produced first democratically elected deputy governor and governor of Oyo State. His reign also witnessed numerous unprecedented achievements and developments”.
While extolling the late Soun of Ogbomoso extraordinary and committed leadership to his people during his 48 years reign as Soun of Ogbomoso, Senator Folarin said ” under the monarch’s reign, Ogbomoso witnessed remarkable transformation in every sphere of life, including making agriculture and education the bedrock of economic development” .
Senator Folarin in the condolence message prayed God Almighty to overlook the shortcomings of the late monarch and grant him Aljana Fridauz, adding that Ogbomoso and indeed all who mourn the late king will continue to honour his legacy of selfless service and commitment to humanity.
Also in his condolence message, the Bada Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke said the Oba Oyewumi stood for unity, equity, fairness and justice.
Chief Adegoke while extolling the virtue of the late Soun of Ogbomoso noted that the death of the royal father calls for sober reflection, not only to the people of Ogbomoso but perhaps the state and country at large against the backdrop going by the Monarch’s contributions in the area of peace, economic growth and development.
The Bada Balogun of Ibadanland stressed that Oba Oyewumi contributions to the peaceful co- existence of his subjects and unity among Yoruba cannot be forgotten in a jiffy and in years to come.
“Soun was a bridge builder who got across ethnic, cultural and religious divide to promote peace and unity, not only in his domain, but the state at large. His style of leadership, which was characterised by fairness to all, objectivity, moderation and a burning commitment to the development of his people, Yorubaland and the nation, had impacted most positively on the polity”, he said.
Chief Adegoke added, “he was one of the most admirable apostles of inter-ethnic understanding and cohesion; inter-religious accommodation and tolerance and inter-cultural co-operation”.
He then prayed to Allah to grant the family, people of the ancient city, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant the late royal father Aljanat fridaous.
