The ancient town of Ogbomoso has a new monarch, 21 months after the stool became vacant following the demise of the late Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewunmi, the longest-reigning king in the history of the town.
On Saturday, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approved the appointment of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye to be the next Soun of Ogbomosoland.
A statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, said the announcement followed the long-drawn processes specified under the law.
Olayiwola said, “His Excellency congratulates the new Soun-elect on his ascension to the throne of his forebears.”
The appointment of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye is quite unique because he is not just a bonafide son of the soil but he will also join a list of very few individuals who have left the pulpit for the stool of their ancestors.
1. The Soun of Ogbomoso-designate, studied English Language in Nigeria before moving abroad for postgraduate study in Industrial and Labour Relations.
2. Until 1992 when he became a pastor under the Redeemed Christian Church, he was an accomplished entrepreneur cum motivational speaker.
3. Never wanted to be king – Though born to the royal family of Olaoye, one of the five royal families alongside the Oyewunmis and Ajagunlades in Ogbomoso, Prince Olaoye said he never wanted to be king, unlike his father who tried to become the Soun of Ogbomoso in 1940.
4. A pastor before being a king Olaoye also called “Pastor G” had been pastoring for about 30 years; starting from 1992 when he began his pastoral duties at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
5. He said he informed the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, of his disinterest in the stool, who later told him he shouldn’t fight what he was born for.
6. Apart from his personal reservations about the ancient throne, being a pastor, Ghandi said his faith strongly contradicted every reason to become a traditional ruler. However, he said God spoke to him about the stool in a revelation.
While addressing his congregation at his church in the US, Ghandi said the reality of being the Soun of Ogbomoso- designate dawned on him after several consultations.
“You were born for this, this is the reason for your birth” was the confirmation Pastor Ghandi reportedly received from God after prayers for a crossroads of life at the beginning of 2022, precisely on January 2.
7. Planned to retire at 60. After spending half of his adult life pastoring, Pastor Afolabi Ghandi said he had planned to retire to simple life at 60 before the big twist happened.
He said he had plans to tour the world since he loves travelling. According to him, his mysterious birth in a car might have been the reason for his undying passion for travelling across the world.
8. Happily married – Olaoye also called “Pastor G” had been pastoring for about 30 years; starting from 1992 when he began his pastoral duties at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
He had pastored three RCCG churches in Nigeria before migrating to Germany where he oversaw another RCCG Parish in Bonn, Germany.
Currently, he pastors the RCCG, Jesus House in Washington DC, United States. He is also the coordinator in charge of Convention and Special Projects for RCCG, North America.
