—- Present Soun —
Oba Oladunni Oyewumi was born with a sliver spoon in his mouth as he was born on 27 th May, 1926, his father, His Royal Majesty, Oba Bello Afolabi Oyewumi Ajagungbade II was ten years old on the throne. His father Oba Bello Afolabi Oyewumi Ajagungbade II was an ex-French Soldier before ascending the throne in February, 1916, and reign till 1940. A peaceful and eventful reign of 24 years which was very remarkable in Ogbomoso history. Apart from other major improvements in administration, he single-handedly led revolution in building houses and roofing with corrugated iron sheets instead of grass thatched houses in Ogbomosoland.
The sudden death of Oba Oladuni Oyewumi’s father while he was just 17 years old had adverse effect on his journey to acquire formal education. he had to withdraw from St. Patrick Catholic School, Oke-Padre in Ibadan to go to Ogbomoso to stay with her mother, Ayaba Olatundun Oyewumi during the funeral ceremonies of his father. After the ceremony, his mother sent Young Prince Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi to Ogbomoso people’s institute, Paku, Ogbomoso to continue his elementary education. His stay at Ogbomoso People’s institute, Paku was not long because of irregular sponsorship of his education. he had to withdraw to learn a trade. He learnt weaving from one of his senior brothers. After graduation, he went to Ilesha with his mobile weaving kits. He made a good living with weaving and selling of Aso Ofi in Ilesha. Prince Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi made a good savings of £ 4.10s and he returned to Ogbomoso.
HIM OBA (DR.) OLADUNNI OYEWUMI AJAGUNGBADE III JP,CON,CFR
SOUN OF OGBOMOSOLAND
KABIYESI (THE PARAMOUNT RULER OF OGBOMOSOLAND).
His experience has a successful factor to CFAO led him to founding a company of his own. He founded J.O.Oyewumi and Company ( Nigeria ) Limited. J.O. Oyewumi and Company is very successful with branches in Jos, Osogbo in osun State and in Ogbomoso, Oyo State . The company has very thriving hotels business viz Hotel Terminus in Jos, Plateau State; Royal Crown Hotels Ogbomsos, Oyo State and branch of Terminus Hotel International, Ogbomoso, Osun State.
The royal journey to the throne might have started earlier than 24 th October, 1973, when his Royal Majesty was installed and crowned as Alayeluwa Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, Soun of Ogbomosoland. He was the first Soun of Ogbomosoland to wear the beaded crown. The battle to wear beaded crown was fierce and interesting. Some leading Obas out of Jealousy and envy mislead the then Oyo State Government to give initial opposition to wearing of beaded crown by Soun but the truth prevailed and Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III recorded a major first as the first Soun of Ogbomosoland to wear a beaded crown in history.
It is not easy to mention all the achievements and improvements brought into Ogbomosoland since the ascension of Alayeluwa Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagugbade III to the throne. He led the Ogbomoso community to build a befitting Palace which was opened in 1978. all donations were made by Ogbomoso sons and daughters with Alayeluwa Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, overseeing the project with necessary financial contributions and advice. A new Hall has been added to the Palace. Oba Oladunni Hall which was solely financed and built by His Royal Majesty, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III JP, CON. The hall was opened and dedicated by His Excellency Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja FNSE, the Executive Governor of Oyo State on Friday, 17 th October, 2003.
The creation of Ogbomoso Judicial Division was done during his regime and Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagugbade III, JP, CON led his people in providing for the initial accommodation and equipment. By now, foundation stone has been laid for permanent High Court Buildings. Ogbomoso Township Stadium had tedious and hard development. The land donation was spearheaded by Olayiwola Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, JP, CON. The success story of Oyo –Ogbomoso land boundary was attained during his reign and the attendant story of five local government councils are inter-related.
The development of secondary education has boost from Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, JP, CON. Immediately he was ascended the throne, he inaugurated an education committee headed by late Chief N. A, Adibi to plan for a fair distribution of secondary education in Ogbomosoland. Chief J.B. Ojo was the secretary while other prominent members were late Lawyer Olatunji Mohammed and Dr. Saka Balogun. The committee worked and influenced the up-grading of Baptist Secondary Modern School in Ajawa and the Baptist Secondary Modern School, Oko to full fledged secondary school. Encouragement was given to founding and citing of new secondary schools at Iresadu and areas along Gambari, Igbon and Ajase.
The citing and location of Federal Government College , Ogbomoso was a feather to the reign of Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, JP, CON while the building of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology was a lasting honour to our community. The boom of Private Nursery/Primary and Secondary in large number is a testimony of much progress in education of Ogbomosoland. We must not loose sight of advanced progress in chieftaincy system. Modern reforms are made in selection and remuneration of chiefs. Prominent members are recognized and given honorary chieftaincies by Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, JP, CON.
There are more areas that need emphasis. The journey of 30 years is full of achievements that are many and numerous. The Alayeluwa Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, JP, CON has laid and still laying foundation of many achievements. Ogbomoso Ultra-Modern Business Centre is already in progress. City and towns have expanded. Roads are built and tarred, while small-scale industries are springing up daily. The family life of Alayeluwa Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, JP, CON is worthy of mention. He is happily married and blessed with many children who are given and still receiving good and sound education. Ayabas are the envy of their like in the community. Among the children are many lawyers, holders of master degrees and doctors of philosophy in many fields and the young universities graduates among them are still climbing the ladder of progress in life.
For appreciating these peaceful developments in Ogbomosoland, the Federal Government of Nigeria led by our able President, Olusegun Obasanjo awarded him “Commander of the Order of the Niger”. It is a befitting national honour that no any previous Soun had ever attained.
Long live our able Oba, Long live Ogbomosoland, Long live Oyo State , and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
THE LIST OF THE PAST SOUNS:
| 1. OBA OLABANJO OGUNLOLA OGUNDIRAN | 1659 – 1714 |
| 2. OBA ERINSABA ALAMU JOGIORO | 1741 – 1770 |
| 3. OBA IKUMOYEDE AJO | 1770 – 1797 |
| 4. OBA TOYEJE AKANNI (Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland) | 1797 – 1825 |
| 5. OBA OLUWUSI AREMU | 1826 – 1840 |
| 6. OBA JAIYEOLA ARE AROLOFIN ALAO | 1840 – 1842 |
| 7. OBA IDOWU BOLANTA ADIGUN | 1842 – 1845 |
| 8. OBA OGUNLABI ODUNLARO | 1845 – 1860 |
| 9. OBA OJO ABURUMAKU ADIO (Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland) | 1860 – 1869 |
| 10. OBA GBAGUNGBOYE AJAMASA AJAGUNGBADE I | 1869 – 1871 |
| 11. OBA LAOYE ATANDA ORUMOGEGE | 1871 – 1901 |
| 12. OBA MAJENGBASAN ELEPO I | 1901 – 1907 |
| 13. OBA ADEGOKE ATANDA LAYODE I | 1908 – 1914 |
| 14. OBA ITABIYI OLANREWAJU ANDE | 1914 – 1916 |
| 15. OBA BELLO AFOLABI OYEWUMI AJAGUNGBADE II | 1916 – 2/18/1940 |
| 16. OBA LAWANI OKE ‘LANIPEKUN | 10/16/1944 – 3/19/1952 |
| 17. OBA OLATUNJI ALAO ELEPO II | 1952 – 1966 |
| 18. OBA OLAJIDE OLAYODE, II | 7/22/1966 – 7/1/1969 |
| 19. OBA SALAMI AJIBOYE ITABIYI | 6/4/1972 – 6/2/1973 |
OGBOMOSO EXECUTIVE CHIEFS
- AREAGO
- JAGUN
- BARA
- IKOLABA
- ABESE
- BALOGUN
- IYALODE
THE BAALES:
these are the Chieftaincy:
- Baale of Ijeru
- Baale of Isapa
- Baale of Masifa
- Baale of Pakiotan
- Baale of Okelerin
- Baale of Osupa
- Aare Alasa
There are over 400 Baales in OgbomosoLand.
