The remains of the late Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomoso Land, were interred on Sunday in the palace, according to Islamic rites.
Sheikh Tholiat Ayilara, the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, who led other Muslim clerics, conducted the prayer around 4.30 p.m.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the 95-year-old Oyewumi, the 20th Soun of Ogbomoso, joined his ancestors in the early hours of Sunday.
Among some of the early dignitaries that paid condolence visit to the palace on Sunday were Rauf Olaniyan, the State Deputy Governor, former governors Rasheed Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Others were Abdulfatai Buhari, Ayoade Adeseun, and Segun Ogunwuyi, the Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde.
NAN, however, reports that scores of sympathisers had been visiting the palace since the news of the death of Mr Oyewunmi filtered into town.
Reports from the town showed that the residents were in a mournful mood over the unexpected death of the oba, whom many described as a lover of peace, whose 48 years reign witnessed tremendous growth and development of the town.
In his condolence, Otunba Alao-Akala described the death of the monarch as a personal loss.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Sunday in Ibadan, Otunba Alao-Akala said: “The sudden demise of my father and traditional ruler of my hometown, Ogbomoso is a personal loss to me.”
Alao-Akala said that the late traditional ruler was an all-round figure in his life, adding he was a father, mentor and teacher.
The former governor said that the late Oba did not hesitate to spare the rod when need be to whip him back into line as at when necessary.
“As the Bobagunwa of Ogbomosoland, a honourary title Chief to Kabiyesi, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, I became a member of the inner recces of the palace.
“And I saw first hand, a just and fair King who led Ogbomosoland with the fear of God. Kabiyesi never ruled over Ogbomoso, he led us into global fame and recognition,” he said.
The former governor said that the late traditional ruler brought Ogbomoso Land to international reckoning, adding he also brought about a huge deal of development.
According to him, Oba Oyewumi would be sorely missed as a great man of exemplary character, a witty and never compromising King.
“He was a man who held on the noble virtues of culture and tradition till he breathed his last,” Alao-Akala said.
He ascended the throne on October 24, 1973. Born on May 27, 1926 in Ogbomoso to Oba Bello Afolabi Oyewumi Ajagungbade II and Ayaba Seliat Olatundun Oyewumi, the Soun had his elementary education at St. Patrick Primary School, Oke Padre, Ibadan from 1932-1938. In 1938, he attended the Ogbomoso People’s Institute, which was later transformed into Ogbomoso Grammar School.
Unable to complete his formal education due to lack of sponsorship, the young Oladunni cut his business teeth by trading in woven textiles, which took him on trading trips to Ilesa among other locations.
He formed a limited liability company in 1967 called J.O. Oyewumi and Co Nigeria Ltd, which specialised in wholesale and retail trading. From a modest beginning, the business expanded to include real estate and hospitality. He established the famous Terminus Hotel and El-Duniya Hotel in Jos.
Through hard work, continuous self-improvement (including enrolment in evening educational schools to improve his education), he was appointed as a distributor for the French-owned trading firm CFAO in 1954. Prince Oyewumi, as he was popularly known, made his inaugural business trip abroad in 1958.
The trip took him to Hamburg and Bremen in then West Germany; Paris and Marseille in France and London, United Kingdom. During his stay in Europe, he was able to explore opportunities for expanding his business by meeting businessmen and visiting factories.
