He made lasting impact on his domain – Makinde
His reign witnessed unprecedented achievements – Folarin
His death signals end of a glorious era – Ogundoyin
Dare, Balogun, Buhari, Kalu extolled his virtues
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that the late Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, made lasting impact on his domain and indelible marks on Oyo State and humanity.
Makinde, in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, on Sunday in Ibadan, described the death of the first class Oba as a huge loss to Ogbomoso Kingdom, Oyo State and humanity in general.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 95-year-old traditional ruler, who is the 20th Soun of Ogbomoso, joined his ancestors in the early hours of Sunday.
The governor described him as a quintessential Oba, a man of peace and a passionate supporter of development, who used his wealth of experience to develop Ogbomosoland over the past decades.
He expressed his condolences to the Oba’s immediate family, people of Ogbomoso and the Oyo State Council of Obas.
According to him, I received the news of the passage unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, with shock.
“Though, Kabiyesi lived up to the age of 95, his death at this time is still a huge loss to the state and the traditional institution, because he has 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.
“It is my prayer that God grants Kabiyesi Aljanah Firdaus and also grants everyone the fortitude to bear this loss,” Makinde said.
Senator Teslim Folarin (APC-Oyo Central) and the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, have also condoled with the entire Soun Royal families, Ogbomoso people and all Yoruba traditional rulers on the demise of Oba (Dr) Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomoso.
Folarin, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, in a condolence message he personally signed, extolled the late oba’s extraordinary and committed leadership role to his people during his 48 years reign as the Soun of Ogbomoso.
“The highly revered Oba will be long remembered for his towering role and dedication toward improving the lives, as well as aspirations of the people of Ogbomoso and Oyo State at large.
“During the late Soun’s almost five decades reign, Ogbomoso produced the first democratically elected Deputy Governor and Governor of Oyo State.
“His reign also witnessed numerous unprecedented achievements and developments,” Folarin said.
The senator said that Ogbomoso, also witnessed remarkable transformation in every sphere of life, including making agriculture and education the bedrock of economic development during the reign of the late oba.
Folarin expressed hope that Ogbomoso and indeed all who mourn the late king would continue to honour his legacy of selfless service and commitment to humanity.
He prayed that God Almighty would overlook the late king’s shortcomings and grant him Aljana Fridauz.
Also, the speaker said that the death of Oba Ajagungbade III marked the end of “a glorious 48 years rule”.
Ogundoyin described the late traditional ruler as one of the most successful Obas, not only in Oyo State, but across the South-West.
“The death of Soun signals the end of a glorious era in Ogbomosoland and indeed in Yorubaland.
Ogbomosoland has lost a quintessential Oba who distinguished himself as a true heir to the throne of his ancestors.
“It is so sad that we lost Oba Ajagungbade III at the auspicious age of 95 when his abundant elderly, native and ancestral experience is required by all and sundry.
“Oyo State has lost a brilliant, magnificent and thorough bred business mogul, whose midas touch and reign brought monumental development to Ogbomoso Land.
“We lost a great businessman and a genuine patriot, who did all within his means and power, to transform Ogbomoso Land.
“His 48 years reign, no doubt, put Ogbomoso on the pedestal of socioeconomic development,” the speaker said.
Ogundoyin said that the late oba was known and appreciated throughout his life as a no-nonsense and disciplined traditional ruler.
He said that his death had left a great vacuum among the traditional rulers in Yorubaland.
“I commiserated with the Oyo State Traditional Council of Obas. He will be sorely missed by everyone and I pray for the repose of his soul,” the speaker said.
The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Senator Kola Balogun and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari and Chief Sharafadeen Alli, have also extolled the virtues of the late Oba.
They made the tributes in their separate condolence messages made available to newsmen on Sunday in Ibadan.
Dare, in a statement he personally signed, described the death of Oba Ajagungbade III, as a huge loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
The minister also described the late Oba as “a leader with capacity, influence, affluence, wisdom and the architect of modern day Ogbomoso.”
Dare, who hails from Ogbomoso, is also the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland.
He said the late traditional ruler was very committed to the welfare and development of the town, adding that he was a lover and promoter of sports.
The minister said that his reign brought peace and stability to the people of the town, adding it placed Ogbomoso on a higher political pedestal, both at the state and national levels.
Dare said that the late Soun was known for his sagacity, humility, wisdom and cosmopolitan attributes.
The minister thanked God for the eventful and fruitful life of the departed traditional ruler.
He condoled with the sons and daughters of Ogbomoso, both at home and abroad, assuring them that the solid foundation laid by Oba Oyewumi would be built on.
In his condolence message, Balogun (PDP-Oyo South) described the demise of Oba Ajagungbade III 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 immediate family of the late foremost traditional ruler.
He described the late traditional ruler as a lover of his people who worked round the clock to ensure the development of Ogbomoso.
The senator said that the late Oba lived a fulfilled life and made a lot of positive impacts on his people as well as the entire Ogbomoso Land.
“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,” he said.
Balogun said the late Kabiyesi was an iconic traditional ruler who lived for his people, adding that he strived to see to the socioeconomic development of Ogbomosoland and its environs.
He described him as a successful businessman who came to the throne of his forefathers at a relatively young age.
“Baba was an epitome of what the traditional institution truly represents. He elevated the traditional throne, both in character and with his gait and poise.
“He truly worked for and preserved the Yoruba culture and tradition. He was a success in all ramifications.
“As a traditional ruler, his community and people enjoyed peace, as there was no crisis whatsoever in the town and there was visible socioeconomic and infrastructure development during his reign,” he said.
The senator said that the late Oba had many great visions for the development of his people and most of these were fulfilled in his lifetime.
According to him, Ogbomoso experienced great educational transformation during the reign of the late traditional ruler.
Balogun condoled with the state government, the people of Oyo State, Ogbomoso, including his wife, Mogbonjubola Kola Balogun.
Also, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo North), in a statement he personally signed, said that the death of the late Oba Ajagungbade III, a respected royal father, was a colossal loss to the people of Ogbomoso and Nigeria.
According to him, since the enthronement of Oba (Dr) Oyewumi, as the 20th Soun of Ogbomosoland, the city has witnessed tremendous development with positive impact on the people.
“We’re surely going to miss our revered royal father for his unique commitment and dedication to peace and unity throughout his reign,” Buhari said.
He said that the late Oba facilitated several developmental projects, which culminated into the rapid growth and development of the ancient Ogbomoso city.
“In fact, it is not an overstatement that our father was synonymous to development.
“He was a reliable, honest and trustworthy leader, who committed his soul to serving the entire people of the city,” Buhari said.
He prayed that the soul of the departed Oba rest in peace, while praying that God should grant his immediate family, royal families and entire people of Oyo State the fortitude to bear the great loss.
Commenting, Alli, an APC chieftain and the Ekefa Balogun of Ibadanland, described the late Oba as a true federalist with a heart of integrity.
In a statement he personally signed, Alli said that the late traditional ruler, on several occasions, displayed uncommon integrity and love for mankind.
He recalled how the late oba rejected a whooping sum of N100 million dashed out to him when his palace was destroyed, after the #Endsars protest in Ogbomosoland.
According to him, the traditional ruler, whom we learnt grew up in the North, has businesses across the country, thereby contributing to the growth of the nation’s economy
“I am using this medium to condole with the sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland over the death of our royal father, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi.
“He was a true federalist. He was a man of integrity. All these traits reflected in the way he handled issues,” he said.
Alli also described the late Oba as a nationalist who never discriminated among the people, regardless of their social status.
He consoled the entire sons and daughters of Ogbomoso land, praying that God grant him Aljannat Firdaos.
Also, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu, has described the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Ajagungbade III as a huge loss to the country.
Kalu, in a condolence message issued on Sunday in Abuja, described the late monarch as an epitome of peace and humility.
The former governor of Abia acknowledged the contributions of Oba Oyewumi to nation building in various capacities.
Kalu stressed that the late traditional ruler was a role model for his contemporaries, adding that he was forthright, kind-hearted, humble and courageous.
He conveyed his condolences to the people of Ogbomosoland, especially members of the royal family.
“I received with a heavy heart the news of the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who passed at the age of 95.
“The late monarch was a blessing to Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Nigeria in general.
“He played leading roles in promoting peace and unity across the country.
“The late traditional ruler was respected across the country in view of his personal and leadership attributes.
“He was a compassionate leader and selfless statesman.
“His counsel on national issues will be greatly missed.
“Kabiyesi’s worthy legacies will continue to speak for him.
“I urge the Oyewumi family to sustain the good deeds of their late patriarch.”
Kalu prayed to Allah to grant the late monarch Al-Jannah Firdaus.
Born on May 27, 1926 to the Gbagun ruling house of Royal family of Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oyewumi’s reign brought robust development to Ogbomoso and environs.
In 1995, Oba Oyewumi served as Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs for a term of two years.
He was the pioneer Chancellor, Plateau State University, Bokkos, Plateau State. (NAN)
