Akin Oke, the outgoing caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo, has described the death of Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, as a great loss.

The 95-year-old Oyewunmi, the 20th Soun of Ogbomoso, joined his ancestors in the early hours of Sunday.

“In him was every good thing a reasonable town man could wish to have in a traditional ruler, leader, and father. An average Yoruba, son, and daughter, is proud of the late Soun, who was in spite of being born a prince, strived to rise to stardom,” said Mr Oke. “He was able to improve upon every of his success until he breathed his last. He was a focused, courageous and disciplined person who would never compromise his integrity and nobility.”

He added that the late monarch’s 48 years on the throne was eventful, fruitful and successful as Ogbomosoland witnessed “renewal and transformation.”

According to him, the deceased was an accomplished businessman and a champion of education who prioritised his children’s education and those of his subjects.

“Today, Ogbomoso people can boast of being among the best educated in Africa, and we appreciate the role played by Oba Oyewumi in achieving this great feat,” he further said. “I will personally feel the demise of Kabiyesi in view of my closeness to him and what he was able to do for me as his beloved son.”

The APC chieftain recalled meeting the ruler when he contested the councillorship in his Ogbomoso ward in 1976.

“Since then, he drew me close and never abandoned me for once, not even since I became the chairman of APC in the state. Lastly, my message of condolences goes to all members of the royal family as well as eminent sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland,” he said.

(NAN)