Why FG gave Soun two national honours– Osinbajo

By Akinwande Soji-Ojo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has revealed the reason behind the Federal Government’s decision to honour the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, with Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

 Osinbajo, who spoke at the thanksgiving service in honour of the late monarch at the First Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, on Sunday, said Oba Oyewumi was a bridge builder and also made remarkable contributions to Ogbomoso and Nigeria at large.

The Vice President said other reasons the late monarch was honoured for his contributions was because he had improved the standard of education in Ogbomoso land since he ascended the throne of his forefathers.

According to him, the monarch made efforts to ensure that secondary schools in the town increased from three to 150 in his 48 years on the throne.

He described the late monarch as a detribalised Nigerian whose “success in the North” despite his Yoruba origins strengthened his belief in the huge benefits of unity in diversity, adding that the deceased practised his brotherhood faithfully regardless of race or faith all his life.

After the thanksgiving, Osinbajo paid a condolence visit to the family of former governor of Oyo State, late Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, where he was welcomed by the late governor’s wives, Mrs Florence Alao-Akala and Mrs Oluwakemi Alao-Akala.

During the condolence visit, the Vice President described the late Alao-Akala as a generous person who was widely regarded as a titan in Oyo and Nigerian politics.

The Vice President also paid a condolence visit to the Palace of the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who passed away earlier this month.