Soun's Coronation Begins With N150m Empowerment

The seven-day coronation ceremony of the 21st Soun of Ogbomosoland in Oyo State, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, on Thursday, began with N150 million empowerment programme for 102 beneficiaries at the palace in Ogbomoso.

The PUNCH reports that Oba Olaoye will be officially presented with Staff of Office by the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

The beneficiaries were drawn from the five local governments in Ogbomosoland, namely Ogo-Oluwa, Surulere, Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, and Oriire.

Items presented to the beneficiaries include sewing machines, deep freezers, motorcycles, generators, and hair dryers.

The empowerment is part of a seven-day activity lined up for the coronation of Oba Olaoye.

In his speech, Oba Olaoye said, “My vision is comprehensive development of Ogbomosoland. We shall collaborate with non-governmental organisations for more development. We are giving 102 beneficiaries business tools now. This is a business tool, not a gift. Whoever sells this business tool would be arrested, and handed over to the police for prosecution.”

While urging the recipients to make good use of the tools, the monarch said, “To the recipients of these business tools, I say congratulations! These are not gifts that should be taken for granted. Rather, they are tools that present great opportunities to unlock your potential and contribute to the economic growth of our community.

“I urge you to embrace this gesture with enthusiasm, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility and to recognise the tool given to you as coming from God.

“Remember, the success of your business ventures will not only benefit you and your families but also create jobs and opportunities for others within our city. For your information, a monitoring mechanism has been set up in the palace and with the O-First Group to track the utilisation of these items.

“You are also reminded that following the signed agreement, you are to guide against misuse and sale of these items as such would attract legal actions and jeopardise the interest of your guarantors.

“Since my confirmation by the state government and subsequent installation as the Soun of Ogbomoso, I have emphasized consistently, that the comprehensive development of Ogbomosoland would, by the grace of God, be central to my reign as the Soun. I also emphasized that commencing immediately, lifting our people across all five local governments out of poverty lines will be pursued evenly, with vigour, determination, collaboration and synchronistion among those facilitating.”

The monarch, therefore, assured the people that the nature of empowerment in tools, skills and opportunities would become diverse and applicable in the current global environment and labour market, urging them to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship that Ogbomoso is well known for, home and abroad.

Earlier, the President of the Ogbomoso First Community Initiative, Olusegun Adekunle, said the programme was aimed at liberating the people from the shackles of poverty.

Adekunle urged the recipients to make judicious use of the tools.

He said, “One of the critical challenges we face today is the growing prevalence of drug and substance abuse among our young population. This issue poses a significant threat to the future of our community. As we celebrate this coronation and embark on a new chapter under your leadership, Your Imperial Majesty, we pledge to work tirelessly with your administration and the entire community in addressing this issue.”

December 16, 2023