From Pulpit to Palace: Oba Ghandi Olaoye receives staff of office as Soun of Ogbomoso today

Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye will today, December 19, 2023, receive his staff of office as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso from Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State at a grand Coronation ceremony taking place at the Ogbomoso Township Stadium.

The ceremony is expected to be attended by the who is who in Nigeria and beyond, including top federal government officials, representatives of foreign governments and organisations, serving and former state governors, captains of industry, bank and military chiefs and other dignitaries from all walks of life.

There had been several activities, starting on Thursday, December 14, 2023, all leading up to today’s special coronation ceremony. These include an empowerment programme estimated to have cost N150 million for people drawn from the five local government areas that make up Ogbomosoland, an Oba Olaoye International Golf Tournament and an interdenominational Church Service where the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye ministered the Word and anointed Oba Olaoye and his wife, Olori Omoh Ghandi Olaoye. There was also a Praise and Worship Concert.

Ogbomosoland has been bubbling with excitement since the selection of the new Soun by the Kingmakers and the announcement of his endorsement by the State Government.

The City has since then started wearing a new look in anticipation of his coronation ceremony with the Monarch, according to his spokesman, facilitating an operation zero tolerance for potholes in the City which saw the repair of damaged sections of the roads for smooth flow of traffic.

Congratulatory messages have been pouring in for Oba Olaoye from all over the world, including from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.  Before his selection for the coveted position of Soun, Oba Olaoye had been a very senior Pastor of the RCCG in the Americas.

His transition from the Pulpit to the Palace has been the subject of discussions on many platforms around the world. The point of convergence for all, is on the fact that Ogbomosoland has received a rare gift from God in the person of Oba Olaoye, a man, who, by the grace of God will champion the transformation of the historic city into a place with global stature, attracting investments and rapid development to his people.