Tributes have continued to pour in for the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who joined his ancestors in the early hours of Sunday, with many describing his passing as a huge loss to nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, yesterday, described the death of Soun, as a huge loss to the Ogbomoso kingdom, Oyo state and humanity in general.
President Muhammadu Buhari in a condolence message by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, commiserated with the government, people of Oyo state as well as the indigenes of Ogbomoso land, on the demise of the frontline traditional ruler.
The president noted that Oyewumi’s reign of 48 years reinforced the town as a land of peace, accommodating and a bastion of history and tradition.
President Buhari, who joined the Oyo State Council of Obas in mourning the first class traditional ruler, affirmed that the deceased would forever be remembered for his counsel and commitment to the unity and harmony within the ranks of the traditional rulers.
Meanwhile, Obasanjo, in his tribute through his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi said, “Oba Oyewumi was an extraordinary person blessed with qualities and characteristics which made him one of the most unforgettable men of our generation. He was a successful businessman. He was one of those, early in the history of Nigeria that made living outside one’s place of birth and home, a great success. I can still vividly remember his contribution to social life in Jos in the 1960s and 70s.
“He lived a life of not only of service but also of peace among his fellow Obas and within his community without allowing himself to be swayed from what is right and correct for a traditional ruler by politicians. He represented the absolute pinnacle of the Nigerian spirit. A truly noble human being, he was a king among men who earned the respect and admiration of all. Yet he never lost the humane touch”.
On his part, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Adams, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Aderemi, said, “Kabiesi’s death came as a rude shock to me. However, he had made an indelible mark as one of the great monarchs in Yoruba history.
“The late Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, in his life, brought great development to the ancient town of Ogbomoso, and he would be remembered for his courage, consistency, love and compassion for his subjects.”
Also, the Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, said, “These days, we hear more about kings and less about their domains. During the lifetime of the late Soun, we heard more about the progress and development of Ogbomoso more than we heard about the king.
“His death is a great loss to Yoruba traditional institution but we are happy that he was a king who came, who saw, and who conquered.”
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