Soun of Ogbomoso dies at 95 after 48-year reign

• Remains committed to Mother Earth
• Buhari, Makinde, Akeredolu, Alao-Akala, others mourn

The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, has passed on.

The Gbagun Ruling House of Ogbomoso, which officially announced the demise of the monarch in a statement by Dr. Aderemi Oyewumi, said the monarch died in the early hours of yesterday at the age of 95 year after he reigned for 48 years.

His remains were yesterday committed to Mother Earth.

He was buried according to Islamic rites at about 4:30 p.m. inside a Vault in the palace.

MEANWHILE, prominent personalities across the country have commiserated with people of Ogbomoso over the demise of the monarch.

President Muhammadu Buhari condoled with the family of the monarch and also commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State, the Council of Obas and especially the indigenes of Ogbomosoland.

He urged sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland to be consoled with the fact that Oba Oyewumi accentuated his reign with the development and progress of the community through enduring peace and extension of hands of fellowship to people of other lands.

IN the same vein, former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has described Oba Oyewunmi as a highly referred traditional ruler who worked for peace, unity and development in Ogbomoso, Yorubaland and indeed in Nigeria.

Tinubu in a statement by his Media Office in Lagos, said the Soun of Ogbomoso had a remarkable reign, lasting 48 years.

GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde said the monarch made lasting impact.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, Makinde described the death of Soun as a huge loss to the Ogbomoso Kingdom, Oyo and humanity in general.

ALSO, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Richard Olatunde, said the Soun’s death was a great loss to mankind.

SIMILARLY, former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, said the sudden demise of Soun was a personal loss to him.

In another message, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, said the death of Oba Ajagungbade marked the end of a glorious 48-year rule.

Ogundoyin described the Soun as one of the most successful Obas not only in Oyo, but also across the South-West.

Those who also mourned the monarch included Minister of Youth Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, the outgoing Caretaker Chairman of APC in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oye and the Bada Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke.