By Babatunde Solanke
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has officially approved the appointment of Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye as the new Soun-elect of Ogbomosoland.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola said in a statement on Saturday, 2 September, 2023 that the announcement followed the long-drawn processes specified under the law.
“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.
With the latest development, the process for the selection of a new monarch for the ancient town is still on with the battlefield now shifted to the court of the kingmakers.
The approval given to Olaoye to become the next monarch of the ancient town by the state government came as a result of the death of Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, on December 12, 2021.
Ghandi Olaoye, a Prince of Olaoye Ruling House, whose family’s turn it is to produce the next Soun, like others, showed his interest in the throne.
Olaoye, has an intimidating profile to show that, in fact, he is the best man to assume the position of Soun of Ogbomoso.
His profile made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com, indeed showcased that he is the best out of other contestants to the throne and it is presented below, unedited.
Ghandi Olaoye is a visionary leader, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. He is known for his immense commitment to excellence and leadership skills, Ghandi 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.
He is the Chairman and Cofounder of Great Places to Work Institute, Nigeria, a global research and management consultancy company that recognizes the best workplaces in over 56 countries worldwide and provides premier business and advisory services.
In addition, he is the Chairman of both Quest Oil & Gas (ASCON Oil) an independent marketer of petroleum products (storage, distribution and sales) in Nigeria, and Quest Engineering Company a value-driven energy company providing eco-friendly and innovative services in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.
Ghandi 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.
He serves on the board of A Smile on Their Faces Initiative (a non-profit initiative focus group for people living with disabilities).
He was a Co-Founder and Member of the Board of Directors at Adams Smith Investment & Financial Company, Ikoyi, Lagos between 1990-1994.
Ghandi was a member of the Board of Directors and Co-Founder at Touchmark Saving & Loan Lagos (1992-1995)
He was also a Co-Founder and Member of the Board of Directors at Dunamis Finance Company (1991-1995)
In January 2009, Ghandi was invited to serve as an Advisor and Council Member on the Council for New Americans by the Maryland State Governor of the United States of America, Governor Martin OMalley. While he served a four-year tenure on the council, he assisted the Governor to form policies on immigrant integration into the state of Maryland.
Ghandi served as the Chairman over a real estate development project in Floyd, Texas USA, where he oversaw the development of over 700 acres of a campus which comprised of a college, housing estate, and a 20,000 Seater Auditorium.
An Associate of the International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA) chaired by the late Dr Myles Munroe, a forum created for the exchange of cross-cultural ideas globally. He represented Myles Munroe international in Nigeria for over 10 years.
Mr. Olaoye is an influential community leader recognized both in Nigeria by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2001 and in the United States of America by President Barack Obama in 2011.
He is the recipient of various awards which include the Youth Empowerment and Positive Mentoring of Africans in the Diaspora Award which was conferred by the African Business Roundtable in December 2008.
He has been featured in many newspapers and electronic media.
He graduated in 1982 from the prestigious 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).
Ghandi was born on August 23rd 1961, he enjoys traveling and has been to over 65 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Pacific Islands and Africa. His other interests include: swimming and playing scrabble.
Ghandi Olaoye is an ordained minister, and he is married with two children.