By Jimoh Babatunde

His Imperial Majesty, Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, has paid a visit to The Assembly, a world-class innovation hub operated by Ennovate Lab in Ogbomoso, where he shared insights into his long-term vision for the development of the town.

The Soun visited the facility on Thursday, March 5, 2026, describing the innovation space as a key symbol of transformation and progress in Ogbomosoland.

Located beside the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), The Assembly is designed as a multipurpose innovation and co-working space serving both local and international communities.

During the visit, co-founder of Ennovate Lab, Jesudamilare Adesegun-David, conducted the royal tour of the facility, highlighting improvements since the monarch’s previous visit and showcasing ongoing activities within the hub.

The facility currently serves professionals, startups, and organisations working across various sectors, providing co-working spaces, meeting halls, and collaborative environments aimed at promoting productivity and innovation.

Ennovate Lab also presented several of its initiatives and supported ventures to the Soun, including projects focused on finance, healthcare, education, mobility, child development, and genomics.

Among them are ÀLÀÁFÍÀ, which provides low-interest financial support to individuals and MSMEs; awaHealth, which works to improve primary healthcare delivery; GradePlus Africa, which helps young people align careers with personality strengths; Slikride, a mobility solution for Ogbomoso; CTCTW (Children That Change The World), focused on child empowerment; and Genomac Labs, which advances access to genetic insights for better health outcomes.

Commending the initiative, the Soun described the transformation of the facility—from a previously dilapidated structure to a modern innovation hub—as symbolic of broader development potential in Ogbomosoland. He likened its transformation to Hog Island in the Bahamas, which was redeveloped into Paradise Island.

The monarch also reiterated his 25-year development vision for Ogbomoso, which focuses on long-term transformation across multiple sectors including education, technology, infrastructure, and youth development.

He urged stakeholders and innovators to remain focused on their goals despite distractions, stressing that meaningful progress requires sustained vision and commitment.

The visit concluded with the presentation of a custom Huephonia artwork to the Soun in recognition of his support for innovation and development initiatives in the region.

The engagement was described as a convergence of traditional leadership and technological innovation, reinforcing efforts to position Ogbomoso as a growing hub for creativity, enterprise, and sustainable development.