Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, September 2, 2023, approved the appointment of a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.

The appointment was disclosed via a statement issued by the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola.

Olayiwola noted that Olaoye’s appointment followed the “long-drawn processes specified under the law”.

The stool became vacant after the demise of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III on December 21, 2021, who joined his ancestors at the age of 95.

Below are a few things to know about the new Soun of Ogbomoso:

Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, fondly called ‘Pastor G’, is a pastor at RCCG in Washington DC, United States under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the church.

READ ALSO: RCCG pastor, Afolabi Olaoye, is new Soun of Ogbomoso

He was born on August 23, 1961, to the royal family of Olaoye, one of the five royal families alongside the Oyewunmis and Ajagunlades in Ogbomoso.

He graduated in 1982 from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), formerly known as the University of Ife, with a BA Honors in English and Literary Studies.

Olaoye also holds a Master’s degree (1987) in Industrial and Labour Relations with emphasis on Human Resource Management from the University of Ibadan (UI).

Since 1992, Pastor Olaoye has been actively involved in pastoring. He has served in three RCCG churches in Nigeria and also led an RCCG parish in Bonn, Germany before moving to the United States.

He is currently the coordinator in charge of Convention and Special Projects for RCCG North America. He works alongside his wife, Pastor Omo, who is the founder and pastor in charge of the Jesus Women Ministries. The Jesus Women Ministries is affiliated with RCCG Jesus House, DC.

His wife is in charge of the RCCG Jesus House, which is one of the largest Redeemed Churches in America and has gained respect in its community. The church is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, a diverse area known for its ethnic and racial diversity.

Olaoye is the CEO of Peculiar People Management (PPM) and Peculiar Speakers, which are Management and Human Resource Consulting Companies.

He is also the Chairman of Great Places to Work Institute, Nigeria, a global research and management consultancy company that recognises the best workplaces in over 56 countries worldwide and provides premier business and advisory services.

Pastor Olaoye is the chairman of both Quest Oil and Gas and Quest Engineering Company.

He serves on the Board of Trustees of Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (S.M.I.L.E), a young entrepreneurship for development and a non-profit organisation.

Pastor Olaoye was named the new Soun of Ogbomoso in Oyo State on September 2, 2023.

He is married with two children.

The Star