Soun was seriously down before his death – Palace Source

The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, was seriously down for over two weeks before he died, a palace source told Daily Trust.

The first-class monarch was pronounced dead in the early hours of Sunday.

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The source told our correspondent that his death was as a result of old age, saying the official announcement would be out soonest.

Oba Oyewumi was born on May 27, 1926 in Ogbomoso to Oba Bello Afolabi Oyewumi Ajagungbade II.

The king ascended the throne of his father on October 24, 1973.

“Baba’s death is unfortunate. He was down in the last two weeks before the passed on this morning. I am close to the palace and you know it is against the tradition to announce such when necessary things have not been done.”

“We are going to miss his fatherly role. His businesses across the country. He was a good man. I cannot recollect all the support he has rendered to me and my family but God knows the best,” he said.

Obasanjo mourns, describes Soun as a patriot, custodian of culture

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has paid a glowing tributes to late Soun, who died at the age of 95, describing him as “a patriot and custodian of our cultural and traditional values, who gave his best while on the throne of his forefathers.”

Obasanjo said the late monarch would remain indelible in the hearts and minds of those who had interacted with him in politics and in social-economic life.

In a condolence message, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Sunday, by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President and close friend further went down memory lane to eulogies Oba Oyewumi.

In the message titled: “I LOST A GOOD FRIEND – HRM OBA (DR.) OLADUNNI OYEWUMI, THE SOUN OF OGBOMOSOLAND”, Obasanjo said Oba Oyewumi was an extraordinary person blessed with qualities and characteristics which made him one of the most unforgettable men of our generation.”

He said, “He was a successful businessman. He was one of those, early in the history of Nigeria, that really made living outside one’s place of birth a home and great success.

“I can still vividly remember his contribution to social life in Jos in the 1960s and 70s. He made his business in Jos where he was well at home and respected. I met him in Jos in 1961 and since then we had become friends.

“He lived a life of not only of service but also of peace among his fellow Obas and within his own community without allowing himself to be swayed from what is right and correct for a traditional ruler by politicians.

“He represented the absolute pinnacle of the Nigerian spirit. A truly noble human being, he was a king among men who earned the respect and admiration of all. Yet he never lost the humane touch.

“Hardworking, gentle, kind, humble, giving, generous and true, he embodied all the best of what it is to be human. Indeed, Ogbomosoland has lost a great monarch, and Oyo State, a towering personality whose benign influence will be difficult to replace.

“It is my prayer that his rare qualities will live forever in the minds and hearts of all who knew him and I encourage them to preserve his legacy by imitating him.

“May God grant his family, the good people of Ogbomosoland and the entire Oyo State the grace to bear the heavy loss of his death.”