Following the death of late Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewunmi, the longest reigning king in the history of Ogbomoso on 12 December, 2021, there have been speculations about who is going to be crowned as the next Soun of Ogbomosoland.
According to the revelation of the head of the kingmakers in Ogbomoso, at least, 23 people have laid claims to the throne and contested the vacant stool of Soun.
In recent times, however, Prince Pastor Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye has been rumoured to be the next Soun of Ogbomosoland. According to the head of the Kingmakers, Olaoye Ghandi Afolabi’s profile out-shined other contestants’.
In this post, you will see 5 interesting facts about Prince Ghandi, the RCCG Pastor who wants to be the next king of Ogbomosoland.
Soun of Ogbomoso: 8 Facts about Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye
To educate the public about the biography of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, we have compiled some historical facts about him.
1. Ghandi Has Pastored for 30 Years
Prince Afolabi Ghandi was born to the royal family of Olaoye, one of the 5 royal families alongside the Oyewunmis and Ajagunlades in Ogbomoso.
Ghandi Olaoye also called “pastor G” has been pastoring for about 30 years; starting from 1992 when he began his pastoral duties at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.
Prince Pastor Ghandi had pastored 3 RCCG churches in Nigeria before migrating to Germany where he oversaw another RCCG Parish in Bonn.
Currently, he pastors the RCCG, Jesus House in Washington DC, United States.
2. Ghandi has B.A in English and MSc on Idustrial and Labour Relations
The Soun of Ogbomoso designate, Pastor Ghandi Olaoye studied the English Language and graduated with Honors at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Osun State, Nigeria in 1982 before moving to the University of Ibadan for postgraduates study in Industrial and Labour Relations in 1987.
3. Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye was a Successful Entrepreneur before he Became a Pastor
Until 1992 when he became a pastor under the denomination of the Redeemed Christian Church, Nigeria, he was an accomplished entrepreneur cum motivational speaker.
He has been described as a visionary leader and outstanding man of a reputable class. As an accomplished businessman, Prince Olaoye Ghandi founded the Peculiar People Management (PPM) and the GihonRiv Limited; both of which are Management and Human Resource Consulting Companies that are based in Lagos and Dallas.
He also doubles as the Chairman of both Quest Oil and Gas and Quest Engineering Company which specialises in marketing petroleum products and providing eco-friendly energy and innovative services in the up, mid and lower streams respectively.
4. Prince Olaoye has a Robust Business Experience & has Served on Several Boards
The next Soun of Ogbomoso, Afolabi Olaoye was a member of several economic boards and advisory councils of businesses and institutions home and abroad.
Some of the board on which he has served are listed below:
- Member, Board of A Smile on Their Faces Initiative (a non-profit initiative that focuses on people living with disabilities)
- Co-founder and Member, Board of Directors at Adams Smith Investment & Financial Company, Ikoyi, Lagos (1990-1994)
- Co-founder and Member, Board of Directors at Touchmark Saving and Loan, Lagos (1991-1995)
- Co-founder and Member, Board of Directors at Dunamis Finance Comapany (1991-1995)
- Member, Council for New Americans, Maryland, USA
- Associate of the International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA)
See the List of other Princes Contesting the Position of Soun of Ogbomoso here
5. Pastor Olaoye has been Recognised by World Leaders
Due to his adroitness and remarkable influence in the business world and social communities, Olaoye Ghandi Afolabi has been recognised by world leaders.
For instance, he was recognised by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and America’s President Barack Obama inn 2001 and 2011 respectively.
Prince Ghandi has also received numerous awards which include The Youth Empowerment and Positive Mentoring of Africans in Diaspora Award in 2008.
6. He Had Wanted to Retire to a Low-Decent Life after Retirement @60 Years
After spending half of his adult life pastoring, Pastor Afolabi Ghandi had planned to retire to low-decent life at 60 before the big twist happened.
According to him, he never wanted to be king, Unlike his father who tried to become the Soun of Ogbomoso in 1940 but was rejected by the Kingmakers and the people of the Oyo town.
In fact, as an adventurous person, the plan was to tour the world after retirement. According to him, his mysterious birth in a car might have been the reason for his undying passion for travelling across the world.
The 60 years old Ghandi who is taunted as the next Soun of Ogbomoso has travelled to over 65 countries in Europe, Australia, North and South America, Asia, Pacific Islands, Carribean and Africa.
The table however turned and the coast became clear when he was nominated as the next Soun of Ogbomoso by the kingmakers.
According to reports, no fewer than 23 people jostled for the vacant stool of the prominent traditional ruler of Ogbomoso land.
7. Ghandi Got a 10/10 Revelation to Become King
Apart from his personal reservations for the ancient throne of his fathers, being a pastor, his faith strongly contradicts every reason to become a traditional ruler.
However according to him, he got a 10/10 revelation from God to become the next Soun of Ogbomosoland.
While addressing his congregation at his church in the US, Ghandi said, the reality of being the Soun of Ogbomoso designate dawned on him after several consultations.
For one, the General Overseer, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye gave him a nod but instructed him to fast and pray about it.
“You were born for this, this is the reason for your birth” was the confirmation Pastor Ghandi reportedly received from God after prayers.
8. Omo: Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye’s Wife
The next Soun of Ogbomoso is married to Omo who is also a pastor.
His wife founded and pastors the Jesus Women Ministries. A Women organisation that is committed to addressing pertinent issues that affect women from birth to old age.
The Women Ministry was founded in line with the scriptures. It is a wing of the RCCG Jesus House, DC where his husband pastors.
Watch the video of Prince Pastor Afolabi Olaoye Ghandi addressing his congregation of his decision to accept his nomination as the next Soun of Ogbomoso HERE
God has finally turned his shinning light into Ogbomoso. Arise and shine people originated from Ilu Akin 😍 and let’s the glory be seen in the ancient land full of idols and worship of many gods.
The land needs modern industries.
The government schools are nothing to talk about, the Soun High school with the name of the king is a shame to all.
They still carrying many TERRIBLE TRADITIONS WHERE THEY KILLS women who go out at night when such festivals are going on.
May God allows the people to embrace the light and may God protects this new king, his family and grant him exceptional wisdom to handle many complications in Ogbomoso land in Jesus Chriat name.
Welcome, the chosen one
God will take absolutely control