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Vision is a powerful tool to drive growth and development. Many extraordinary breakthroughs came off visions. There is a saying, “Whatever the mind perceives and believes can be achieved.” The elements always respond auspiciously to our most ardent desires. Dream it and you will achieve it if you pursue it smartly and vigorously.
The Soun of Ogbomosoland Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III once said “When there is vision there will be provision.” This implies that when vision appears, that crucial link, “Pro,” will surface and the joy of fulfillment will ultimately follow. The Bible affirms this that where the people lack vision the people perish. Not necessarily physical perishing or death but stagnation and retrogression. When you are not progressing you slump into retrogression of course! Setting goals is crucial, it prevents society declining and falling into degradation.
In the last few months specifically since the ascension of Oba Ghandi, it’s incontrovertible that Ogbomoso is in the motion of rebound in terms of growth economically particularly, infrastructurally and in other facets. This no doubt is not unconnected with the positive vibes being evinced by the Oba, who was installed in September 2023. His Majesty is exerting great, uncommon efforts, and is borne by a consuming passion to create a new Ogbomoso that will reflect the image he wants and which has become a collective aspiration. He is propelled by an indomitable spirit to change the narrative of the city.
His preparation is without fault. He not only has the charisma but the drive to bring the aspiration to pass. He came up with a beautiful document tagged 25 year-development plan to re-invent the city. This alone is a vivid demonstration of his determination and preparation. He isn’t an Oba solely driven by the perks and benefits of office.
In recent months, his vision is garnering the necessary “PRO” gradually turning the vision into reality. The innovative Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival is a vision that has materialized with the maiden edition last December. However, beyond the festivities, the carnival is now turning into a driver of economic emancipation of Ogbomoso. Feelers have it that the moribund Aso-Oke industry in the town is about to receive a major boost with good – spirited individuals said to be considering revamping and modernizing the artisans’ workshops to enhance productivity. That is the spirit, the vision of an improved economy birthed the idea of a carnival. Now, that has awakened the need for local production of Ofi, a major attire of the carnival. The Soun informed recently during a visit to the Fedegbo, Osupa weaving centre, that most of the Ofi used last year was sourced outside thus clamouring for boosting of local production. The economic vision is now seeking provision which is now within the ambit of realisation.
I have heard of several others inspired by the vision of Oba Ghandi to transform the town, and seeing he is determinedly walking the talk, are zealously hearkening to the clarion call. Businesses are springing up, there’s the case of the Prestige Paints, Lagos, whose CEO is a “son-of-the soil” and has now put up shop in Ogbomoso. There are many others caught up in the buzz, motivated to embark on investment adventure in the city. “I am motivated by the good news emanating from home at the instance of Oba Ghandi,” an Ogbomoso indigene in Lagos reportedly said recently. “Hence, l plan to relocate part of my business to Ogbomoso in the near future. In fact, l am looking for affordable lands to set up business.”
We also heard how the family of the late Oyo state governor Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala got drawn into making commitment to building a comprehensive primary health centre at Yaku in memory of their late patriarch. If there is no 25 year -development plan, there wouldn’t have been a medical and health committee put in place and no one would have approached the family and such fund that would be committed to the project would have still been lying “uselessly” in a bank’s vault. When completed, it will become a win-win situation, late Otunba Alao-Akala’s indelible legacy will be further deepened while the beneficiary community(ies) would get to enjoy fuller life especially in terms of better access to healthcare just as employment opportunities would be be an offshoot. Moreover, the building would provoke economic growth in the area during construction and thereafter.
Similarly, a section of the Oja’gbo Market is under reconstruction, architecturally enhanced. Its new red roof is attractive, that place has dropped the rustic appearance for modernity. That is the idea, that’s transformation. It is understood the state government is assisting in building it out of goodwill Dr Saka Balogun enjoys from the governor, Engr Seyi Makinde. Dr Balogun was mandated to rebuild the market by Oba Ghandi as a condition for his installation as Balogun of Ogbomosoland. Oba Ghandi it’s learnt demanded this be funded from the monetary obligation due him as the consenting authority to the chieftaincy. “Divert the money you are to give me as appreciation for your approval and conferment, to add value to Ogbomoso through rebuilding of that ancient market,” Soun was said to have directed.
Vision when unfolded assumes wings to magnetize the elements for fulfilment. Vision is an amazing magnet. Would Governor Makinde have come alive in Ogbomoso in such manner in that aspect if not for an ardent vision to transform the community? There are other such examples portraying the power of vision as exemplified by the prodigious king of the Land of the Valiant.
That’s the magic of vision, of agenda setting. It creates purpose that propels to unimaginable heights. The transformation of Ogbomoso is a task that must be done. Let’s all key into it for the betterment of the present and future generations. The Oba is unambiguously desirous of passing down a city transformed positively, a model, smart one, so that it would be said of him: His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III made Ogbomoso a better place than he met it.
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