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Even in the colonial time, Ogbomoso was fully represented in the struggle for emancipation.

Only a few people know the fact that an Ogbomoso man, Nathaniel David [ND] Oyerinde was the first Nigerian professor.

By 1904, he was a teacher at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary [NBTS], Ogbomoso, also, he later found himself in politics as a nominated member of the Nigerian Legislative Council as contemporaries of Herbert Macaulay.

It is popularly believed that Ogbomoso has produced just Three (3) Aare Ona Kakanfo, namely, Toyeje, Ojo Aburumaku and Ladoke Akintola, but I challenge this insinuation, Jabata is one of the villages under Ogbomoso, Jabata is under Surulere Local Government and Two Aare Ona Kakanfo were from Jabata, Adeta and Oku who were 3rd and 4th Aare Ona Kakanfo respectively were from Jabata, if Jabata could be linked to Ogbomoso, that means Ogbomoso has produced Five (5) Aare Ona Kakanfo, this is truly a heroic past.

After the colonial turbulence in Nigeria, Ogbomoso has had ambassadors that have contributed enormously, both nationally and regionally. One wouldn’t forget the powerful roles of Benjamen Adekunle in keeping Nigeria one as a country.

It will also interest you to know that not only the first Professor but also, the first higher institution in Nigeria was founded in Ogbomoso.

With all these prowesses and antecedence, today, Ogbomoso still remains like a city that is hurdling to live up to the standards of the 20th Century even when we are already in the 21st Century.

Development in Ogbomoso is specifically at its lowest ebb, hardly you point to factory or industry that could be reckoned with nationally or regionally.

In fact, the economy of Ogbomoso heavily relies on the only University of Technology (LAUTECH) located in the City due to the consuming capacity of the students, but even this University is presently bedridden.

Thanks to Late chief Isaiah Abisara Oke that also brought Best Legacy College of Education as an additional. In Ogbomoso, Our agricultural system still remains subsistence in nature.

Some of us grew up to know about Alata Group of Companies as the only popular Industry in the past that employed our people, but today, it only remains an infringement of our elusive memory and yet, no replacement to fill the vacuum left behind.

Today, Filling Stations, Private Schools, Okada Riding, Churches and Mosques are the major employers of Ogbomoso citizens.

Those infrastructures that befit city of this century are totally lacking, in fact, Ogbomoso exemplifies a sleeping giant.

Should we continue to bask in the euphoria of the elusive past?

Never! Time to wake up.

My little research has clearly shown to me that there are more successful people of Ogbomoso’s descent outside Ogbomoso than in Ogbomoso.

In fact, there are eminent personalities that have excelled in various aspect of life nationally and internationally from this root, but it is obviously pathetic that the fatherland is neglected, they are detached from the root.

Today, many people still harbour the sentiment that one witch or wizard from his father’s house or mother’s house would destroy his fortune if he comes home, I’m pleased to announce to you that those are the mere fairytale of 17th century.

If nobody can stop your success wherever you are now, nobody will also stop it when you domesticate it at home, only the weak gives an excuse for their misfortunes.

The good news is that Otunba Alao Akala became Number One Citizen in Oyo State even while living in Ogbomoso. Your cherished fortune could be doubled if you are productive and kind to your root.

It is high time we started thinking about how to develop the fatherland, we cannot continue to bask in the euphoria of the glorified past, Ogbomoso must gain her befitting status of a 21st-century city.

Developing Ogbomoso is a task that all the Ogbomoso sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora must make a priority.

I’m passionately appealing to everyone that has met fortune on his or her way to come and replicate it at home.

I appeal to our politicians to woo investors to the fatherland, I also appeal to our traditional rulers to put a halt to the internal discords and crave the indulgence of the gods to the path of development.

Developing Ogbomoso is a task for all of us. Ogbomoso is our own Jerusalem.

Written by Ogunwoye Samson Gbemiga (Ogunsamson).
Ogunwoyesamson@gmail.com

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