Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the late Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, believed in the huge benefits of unity in diversity.
Osinbajo paid this tribute in his message on Sunday at the Thanksgiving Service of the late traditional ruler held at the First Baptist Church, Okelerin, Ogbomosho.
The traditional ruler died on December 12, 2021, at the age of 95.
The vice president said he brought his condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, people of Ogbomosho and the entire family of the deceased on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Osinbajo said that the late Oyewumi had an exceptionally long, peaceful and progressive reign, which deserved continuous thanksgiving to God Almighty.
“Having ascended the throne on October 24, 1973, he delivered four decades and eight years of exceptional and transformational leadership, leaving behind the indelible marks of peace and prosperity.
“We also heard the testimony of Governor Makinde that the one thing the late Soun asked of him was for LAUTECH to be taken over by the Oyo State government.
“His desire was not for money but that the people of this town and state would be educated.
“It is no wonder then that when the idea of a university of technology was being discussed, he lobbied extensively and enthusiastically to clinch it for Ogbomosho, including on a visit to the then head of State, alongside the immediate past Ooni of Ife.’’
According to him, there are so many examples of the late Oyewumi’s efforts to develop Ogbomosho.
He said that for example, in 1973 when he became the Oba, electricity supply was limited and epileptic, but with his conscious and collaborative effort, the then National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) opened a station in Ogbomosho.
Osinbajo said that when Oyewumi ascended the throne, there were no law courts in the town and he worked assiduously to ensure the establishment of law courts and an Area Police Command in Ogbomosho.
“Another lesson we should learn from the life of this great monarch is that hard work and honesty pays.
“As we all know, Oba Ajagungbade III was an astute businessman; he ventured into different trading activities including Aso-Oke and other merchandise trading, later becoming an agent for big international conglomerates and interacting with many European business concerns, especially during his time in Jos.
“He soon acquired a reputation as an honest trader, and he did so well that the European community soon came to know of his business acumen.
“Before long, he became “the wealthiest African in Jos”. While he lived in the North, he won the respect of all including the Sardauna of Sokoto who nicknamed him Ciroma!
“His success in the North despite his Yoruba origins strengthened his belief in the huge benefits of unity in diversity and he practised his brotherhood of all, regardless of race or faith faithfully all his life.’’
The vice president said that his first formal interaction with the late traditional ruler was in his role as Chairman of one of the foremost centres for local and international training in law and commerce, the Centre for law and business.
Osinbajo said that the centre was founded by his friend and a son of the deceased, Prince Dapo Oyewunmi.
“ I, along with Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, current Attorney-General of Oyo State, were privileged to serve on the board.
“His stature, wisdom, and maturity were important in laying the solid foundation that the organisation now enjoys both locally and internationally.
“We thank God that he lived what he preached as a traditional ruler. He gave his people free access to his wealth and wisdom; it was indeed 48 years of wide-open doors of progress and development for the people of Ogbomosho,’’ he said.
Earlier, in his message, Makinde thanked the vice president for attending the service.
He said that the late Soun lived a fulfilled life in service to his hometown, state and country.
Makinde said that Oyewumi’s request was instrumental to the takeover of LAUTECH by Oyo State Government
In a sermon, Rev. Victor Oyelowo, Pastor, First Baptist Church , Okelerin, Ogbomosho, thanked God for the life lived by the late traditional ruler, adding that a life in union with Jesus was bound to be fruitful.
Prayers were offered also for the family and for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.
In a vote of thanks, a daughter of the deceased, Princess Funke Oworu, called for a minute silence for her sister and first daughter of the late traditional ruler, Prof. Taibat Danmole, who passed away on January 8.
Oworu thanked Osinbajo for gracing the service and described him as a friend of the family.
The vice president afterwards visited Oyewumi’s palace where he consoled and prayed for members of the family.
Osinbajo also in Ogbomosho, paid a condolence visit to the family of late Adebayo Alao-Akala, a former Governor of Oyo State, who died at the age of 71.
