A socio-cultural group, Ogbomoso Consultative Forum (OCF), has described the death of Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi, the Soun of Ogbomoso, former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State and two other prominent indigenes of the town as a collective loss.
Its Coordinator, Dr Saka Balogun, while commiserating with the families of the departed souls and people of Ogbomoso, prayed that God should grant them the fortitude to bear the losses.
Balogun, who led the group on a visit to the family of the late Alao-Akala, in Ogbomoso, said the death of prominent Ogbomoso indigenes had psychological impact on people of the ancient town.
Phenomenal recalls that the four departed souls were Oba Oyewunmi, Alao-Akala, Prof. Alex Gboyega and Prof. Taibat Danmole (Nee Oyewumi).
Phenomenal reports that OCF, a non-political group, was constituted by the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewunmi.
Balogun urged their families to be courageous, promising to galvanise its strength, unity and faith in the Almighty to ensure the development as well as progress of the land.
He said that Alao-Akala, until his death, was a member of the triumvirate at the leadership of the OCF with Balogun and retired Gen. Oladayo Popoola, a former Military Administrator of the state.
“Over the last eight weeks (December 2021 to January 2022) Ogbomosoland experienced unprecedented development sign posted by the transition of our uncommon traditional ruler, who joined his ancestors
“Also, on the transition list, are some prominent personalities such as Alao-Akala, Prof. Alex Gboyega and Prof. (Mrs.) Taibat Bolanle Danmole (Nee- Oyewumi). This is our collective loss.
“The message we are sending to our people, the traditional, religious, community leaders, women and youths, therefore, is a message of hope, unity, peace, purposeful leadership and progress,’’ Balogun said.
He also said that the group had been coordinating the affairs and consultations since the transition of their revered traditional ruler.
According to him, we have been supporting the Palace Council of Chiefs, the royal family members, while ensuring that the peace and security of the community is sustained.
Balogun said: “We shall continue to play the roles apolitically and in the best interest of Ogbomoso. We urge the people to remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant.
“We assure all that there will be no vacuum in the protection of your interests. You should pray for the safety, security and progress of Ogbomoso, the State and Nigeria.’’
He also called on the people to pray for the success of all the processes that would eventually produce the next Soun of Ogbomoso.
Amb. Oyateru Akintola, the group Public Relations Officer, said the late Alao-Akala chaired a virtual meeting on Monday preceding his death, assigning roles on befitting funeral for the late Soun.
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Akintola identified the deceased as a man who was keen about Ogbomoso, in the interest and perspectives, saying he was passionately in love with his ancestral home.
Among the members present were Popoola, Chief Bayo Bankole, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Sen. Ayoade Adeseun and Wumi Oladeji.
Others are Dr Akin Onigbinde (SAN), Chief Sunday Adegoke and Prof. Olusola Adepoju, the Director-General, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN).
