Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, who died on Sunday after reigning for 48 years as Soun of Ogbomoso, has been described as an uncommon monarch, whose love for his people was second to none.
Professor Adesola Adepoju, director general of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, FRIN, Ibadan, who made this known in a condolence message to the family of the departed monarch, said Oba Oyewumi believed that if there were many business establishments in the ancient town, youth restiveness and other social ills would be absent as the youths would be gainfully employed and the economy would be favourable to every category of residents.
According to Adepoju, who also hails from Ogbomoso and worked in the North like the late monarch, “We were very young when the departed Oba ascended the throne. Our parents and elderly ones would regale us with stories about how he was the economy of Jos, the Plateau State capital. Yes, Oba Oyewumi was the lifewire of Jos’ economy for many decades. Even after he returned home to be King. Every Ogbomoso sons and daughters, home and abroad, were proud of him.
”Apart from erecting a befitting palace when he ascended the throne, some of the first hospitality businesses were majorly. He was of the belief that when people, especially youths, have something to do, peace would reign and he achieved that. His contribution to education is no longer news. Whenever you visit him, he would tell you about Ogbomoso development. And that we can see in the numbers of educational and health institutions in Ogbomosoland. He was always encouraging us not to forget our town — to set up businesses here; to bring our friends to come invest and all that.
“So, we are consoled by the fact that he lived a life worthy of emulation. Maybe because he was already made before coming monarch, he wasn’t moved about any worldly things. No controversy about him. No doubt, Ogbomoso will miss him. Though he was old, many of us are pained about his death but there is nothing we can do. Death is a natural thing that will happen to every human-beings.
”For is as Ogbomoso, it is time for us to pray, to reflect and pray God give us another Soun like Oba Oyewumi. I condole with the royal family, sons and daughters of our dear town, on behalf of myself and the management of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, FRIN. May his soul be reposed.”
