The coronation festivities for the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, commenced with a robust N150 million empowerment initiative benefiting 102 individuals at the Ogbomoso palace.
Oba Olaoye is scheduled for official presentation with the Staff of Office by Governor Seyi Makinde on December 19.
Beneficiaries selected from Ogbomosoland’s five Local Governments — Ogo-Oluwa, Surulere, Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, and Oriire — received diverse items, including sewing machines, industrial sewing machines, deep freezers, motorcycles, generators, and hair dryers.
This empowerment initiative forms part of the week-long coronation activities, reflecting Oba Olaoye’s commitment to the comprehensive development of Ogbomosoland.
In his address, Oba Olaoye emphasized the collaborative efforts with non-governmental organizations to further advance development, declaring the distributed tools as business assets, not mere gifts, with a stern warning against their sale under the threat of legal consequences.
“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,” he said.
