By Fawaz Adebisi
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, September 2, 2023, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approved the appointment of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye as the new Soun-elect of Ogbomosoland.
The announcement came after a long-drawn process specified under the law, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola.
The new Soun-elect 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 palace.
Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, popularly known as Pastor G, is a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Jesus House in Washington DC, United States.
He is also the coordinator in charge of Convention and Special Projects for RCCG North America.
He was born to the royal family of Olaoye, one of the five royal families in Ogbomoso.
He studied English Language in Nigeria before moving abroad for postgraduate study in Industrial and Labour Relations.
He was an accomplished entrepreneur and motivational speaker until 1992 when he became a pastor under RCCG.
He pastored three RCCG churches in Nigeria before migrating to Germany where he oversaw another RCCG Parish in Bonn.
He is married to Princess Olufunke Olaoye, a nurse practitioner and a deaconess at RCCG.
He has four children: Prince Adetayo Olaoye, Princess Adetutu Olaoye, Prince Adedamola Olaoye and Princess Adedoyin Olaoye.
He is a philanthropist who has supported many humanitarian causes and projects in Nigeria and abroad.
He is a lover of sports, especially football and tennis.
He is fluent in Yoruba, English and German languages.
He is the founder and president of Ghandi Foundation International, a non-governmental organization that promotes peace, unity and development.
He is a member of several professional bodies and associations, such as the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, the International Labour Organization and the American Society for Training and Development.
He is an author of several books and publications on leadership, management and spirituality.
He is a recipient of many awards and honours, such as the African Leadership Award, the Global Peace Ambassador Award, the Distinguished Service Award from RCCG North America and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Ogbomoso Parapo Worldwide.
However, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye never wanted to be king, unlike his father who tried to become the Soun of Ogbomoso in 1940.
He informed his spiritual father, the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, of his disinterest in the stool, who later told him he shouldn’t fight for what he was born for.
He did not pray about the stool as advised by Pastor Adeboye, but he said God spoke to him about it in a revelation on January 2, 2022.
According to him, he heard God say, “You were born for this; this is the reason for your birth”, which confirmed his destiny as the Soun of Ogbomoso.
He said his faith strongly contradicted every reason to become a traditional ruler, but he accepted it as God’s will for his life.
He is expected to lead Ogbomoso to more prosperity and harmony as the new Soun of Ogbomosoland.
The people of Ogbomoso have welcomed his appointment with joy and excitement, hoping that he will bring positive changes and development to the town.
The date for his coronation has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be a grand occasion that will attract dignitaries from all walks of life.
