The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, as the new Soun of Ogbomosoland.
Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, the late Soun of Ogbomoso, joined his ancestors, on December 12, 2021, hence the need to select the new king among the 23 candidates to fill the vacant stool.
The announcement was contained in a statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola.
Olayiwola said the announcement followed the long-drawn processes specified under the law.
The statement read, “His Excellency congratulates the new Soun-elect on his ascension to the throne of his forebears,” the statement said.
“The Commissioner said the exalted position has placed the monarch-elect in the position to facilitate harmony, understanding and tolerance amongst his people.
The Commissioner also urged all sons and daughters of the ancient city of Ogbomoso to work with the monarch to consolidate the successes of his forefathers,” it added.
Here are quick things to know about him:
1. Prince Ghandi was born on August 23rd 1961, and he is married with two children. He is a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
2. He had promised, during the selection and interview exercise, to embrace the three religion namely: Traditional, Christianity and Islam.
3. Prince Ghandi was born to the royal family of Olaoye, one of the 5 royal families alongside the Oyewunmis and Ajagunlades in Ogbomoso.
4. Ghandi also called “Pastor G” has been pastoring for over 30 years; starting from 1992 when he began his pastoral duties at the RCCG.
5. Prince Ghandi had pastored 3 RCCG churches in Nigeria before migrating to Germany where he oversaw another RCCG Parish in Bonn.
6. He graduated in 1982 from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria (formerly known as University of Ife) with a BA Honors in English and Literary Studies; he holds a Masters degree (MILR) in Industrial and Labor Relations with emphasis on Human Resource Management from Nigerias premiere University, University of Ibadan (1987).
7. Ghandi had served on the Board of National Council on Privatization (NCP) which is also the Board of Bureau of Public Enterprise (B.P.E) (2017-2021) Ghandi is a member of the Board of Trustees of Strategy for Mentoring Initiative & Leadership Empowerment (S.M.I.L.E), a young entrepreneurship for development and a non-profit organization.
8. He is the CEO of Peculiar People Management (PPM) and GihonRiv Limited, which are Management and Human Resource Consulting Companies based in Lagos, Nigeria and Dallas, USA.