Ogbomoso: A Land of Glory, A People at the Crossroads
An Ancient Town Blessed by God, Tested by Division
PART ONE — Ogbomoso: A Land of Glory, A People at the Crossroads
An Ancient Town Blessed by God, Tested by Division
In the heart of Oyo State lies Ogbomoso — a land rich in history, culture, and divine blessings.
From the fertile soil that produces some of the sweetest mangoes in West Africa to vast farmlands responsible for a significant share of yam production in the region, Ogbomoso is not just a town — it is an empire of potential.
Its sons and daughters have excelled across Nigeria and the world. Its heritage is deep. Its legacy is powerful. Yet, despite all these blessings, the land still struggles to rise to the height of its destiny.
Why?
History Cannot Be Erased — It Must Be Respected
Ogbomoso’s history is not a myth. It is real, documented, and rooted in the traditions of the Yoruba people and the influence of the Oyo Empire.
The story of its kingship, like many Yoruba towns, is intertwined with migration, conquest, and acceptance. A stranger once became a saviour. A saviour became a king. And a king became a dynasty — not by accident, but through the will of the people and the approval of established institutions.
That history cannot be rewritten. It cannot be denied. And it should not be fought.
Because when a people begin to argue with their past, they begin to lose their future.
God Chooses Kings, Ancestors Approve Them
In Yoruba tradition, kingship is not ordinary. It is spiritual. It is sacred.
Every king that sits on the throne does so not just by human arrangement, but by divine approval and ancestral consent. If the ancestors did not approve, no one would reign beyond a moment.
This is why the people of Ogbomoso must understand:
the throne is bigger than any individual.
To fight the king unnecessarily is not just to fight a man — it is to challenge the institution, the heritage, and the collective image of the land.
When Ego Becomes the Enemy of Progress
Today, one of the greatest challenges facing Ogbomoso is not lack of resources or talent — it is division fueled by ego.
Disputes between influential figures, public confrontations, and the continuous dragging of traditional authority into controversy have begun to stain the image of the town.
A recent development, where a prominent son of the land renounced his chieftaincy title — while previously downplaying his suspension — has only deepened suspicion and tension.
Even more concerning is the persistent criticism and attacks directed at the sitting monarch by individuals who should ordinarily protect the dignity of the throne.
But the real danger is this:
when leaders fight, the land suffers.
The Bigger Question: What Is the Crime?
What exactly is the offence?
Is it a crime to have a king who is educated, influential, and globally connected?
Is it a crime to have a leader who is accessible, open-minded, and willing to listen?
Is it a crime that a king practices a different faith in a land known for religious tolerance?
These are questions the people must ask themselves honestly.
Because while personal differences may exist, the future of Ogbomoso must never be sacrificed on the altar of ego and rivalry.
A Lesson from Abeokuta
If there is one example worth studying, it is Abeokuta.
A town with multiple traditional rulers, deep historical complexities, and diverse power structures — yet, its leaders have found a way to work together.
The result?
Growth. Development. Recognition.
Abeokuta thrives not because it has no differences, but because it has learned to manage them.
Ogbomoso can do the same.
One Land, Many Thrones, One Destiny
From Ikoyi to Ijeru, from Onpetu to Masifa, from Laka to Oko, Igbon to Iresa — every town within Ogbomoso shares a common heritage.
Administrative divisions may exist:
Ogbomoso North (Kinira)
Ogbomoso South (Arowomole)
Orire (Ikoyi)
Ogo-Oluwa (Ajaawa)
Surulere (Iresaadu)
But spiritually, culturally, and historically — we are one.
Ogbomoso does not belong to one palace.
It does not belong to one king.
It does not belong to one family.
It belongs to all of us.
Time to Bury Ego and Build the Future
The time has come for a shift.
Let ego be buried
Let history be respected
Let leaders be celebrated, not destroyed
Let prayers replace insults
Let unity replace rivalry
Because development does not come where there is division.
A Call to All Sons and Daughters of Ogbomoso
This is not about taking sides.
This is about taking responsibility.
Ogbomoso is a land of fortune. A land of greatness. A land of destiny.
But destiny will not fulfill itself.
It requires unity.
It requires wisdom.
It requires collective effort.
Let us come together — not as divided kingdoms, but as one people.
Let us build the land of our forefathers.
Let us protect the throne, respect our leaders, and restore the dignity of our heritage.
Because a town that forgets its unity may never reach its glory.
(To be continued in Part Two…
