Top Osun State monarch, the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, is dead.
His death was announced in a statement, signed by Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Chief Yinka Fasuyi, obtained on Thursday in Osogbo, the state capital.
Before Fasuyi’s confirmation of the monarch’s passage, there was anxiety over the health of Oba Aromolaran,as he has since been admitted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State
Confirming the monarch’s death, Fasuyi, in a tribute that he personally sent to our correspondent, wrote, “An Era Comes To An Abrupt End!
“A Monumental History Closes!
The Lion Departs The Forest!
The Torch Bearer Of Oduduwa Relocates!
The Symbol Of Obokun Adimula Transits!
The Elegance Of Ijesaland Royalty Takes A Bow!
“The Pride Of Yoruba Traditional Intellectualism Exits!
The Conscience Of Yoruba Traditional Rulers Departs!
“The Last Of The Titans Bids Farewell!
Ijesaland Celebrates The Life Of Her Idol!
Ijesaland Extolls The Life Of Our Imperial Majesty!
“Ijesaland Eulogises The Reign Of Our Owa Obokun Adimula!
Ijesaland Applauds The Legacy Of Our Paramount Ruler!
“42 Years Of Monumental Reign Comes To A Glorious End!
“Ijesa Women and Men, Young and Old, At Home and In The Diaspora In Unison Say Adieu To Our Baba Kaaaaaaabiyeeesiiiii Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran 11, CFR, LL.D.; the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.”
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also expressed his deep sorrow over the death of the monarch via his X account on Thursday.
In a statement, Atiku recalled the late monarch’s fatherly warmth, describing him as more than just a father-in-law but a symbol of courage, boldness, and discipline emblematic of the Ijesha people.
Oba Aromolaran ascended the throne on February 20, 1982, from the Aromolaran family, and his reign spanned 42 years.
Oba Aromolaran, the last born of his mother, was born in October 13, 1937 into the royal household of Kabiyesi, Alayeluwa, Oba Iluyomade Aromolaran I, the Owa-Obokun and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland (from July 1920 to July 31, 1942) and Princess Tinuola Aromolaran – a princess of Esa-Oke in Ijesaland. Oba Aromolaran started his primary school education at Otapete Methodist School, Ilesa which he finally completed at the prestigious Agbeni Methodist School Oke Ado Ibadan. Oba Aromolaran attended Ilesa Grammar School, between 1970 and 1974. He was a school teacher before proceeding to Wesley College, Elekuro Ibadan – a Teachers’ Training College. Kabiyesi later studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics at Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State with Messrs. Femi and Dotun (Twin brothers) Oyewole as his tutors.’ Oba Aromolaran ‘attended the then University College Ibadan (UCI) which was then a College of the University of London (now the University of Ibadan) where he obtained the B.Sc. Degree in Economics’ in 1964. In 1965, he did a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration of the University of Ife, then located at Ibadan. Oba Aromolaran went overseas for a management course at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania, in the United State of America and graduated with Master’s Degree in Mathematical Economics. Oba Aromolaran studied and earned his Ph.D. in Development Economics under the supervision of Prof Samson Olajuwon Kokumo Olayide, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Oba Aromolaran joined the Civil Service of the old Western Region, served in various capacities and rose to the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary before he voluntarily resigned his appointment to set up his private business called Aromolaran Publishing Company Limited at Ibadan on December 1, 1971. The Company had branches along the West Coast of Africa: in Ghana, Sierra Leone, London and New York (USA). Oba Aromolaran as a reputable Publisher ‘has authored over 100 Titles for use in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions both in Nigeria and Overseas and contributed to national and international Journals. Kabiyesi was also an Examiner for General Certificate Education (GCE) Advanced Level Economics for West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Sierra-Leone and Ghana.’ Oba Aromolaran was the Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State of Nigeria (now called Modibo Adama Federal University of Technology) from 2002 to 2014. Kabiyesi held the LLD Degree (Honoris Causa) of the same University. He served as Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers and the President of Ijesa Traditional Council comprising the Twelve (12) Local Governments in Ijesaland. He was also the prescribed and consenting authority over all chieftaincies in Ijesaland.
