By Damola Emmanuel
The topmost echelon of Ijesa traditional institution, (otherwise Agba Ijesa, comprising Obas, High Chiefs and Elders), on Thursday, formally announced that the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, has joined his ancestors. And they promptly imposed a seven-day curfew on Ijesaland running from 10p.m. to 6a.m.
The curfew started on Thursday, September 12, and will end on Wednesday, the 18th. All markets in Ijesaland shall be closed throughout the duration of the curfew.
Oba Samson Omokehinde Oyemade Oyeleye, the Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa, who made the formal announcement on behalf of thee Agba Ijesa (Elders of Ijesaland), strongly advised strict compliance with the curfew.
Oba Oyeleye, who was flanked by other traditional rulers, Elders and leaders of Ijesaland, said he was spoking on behalf of other Obas in Atakumosa East Local Government Area, Atakumosa West Local Government Area, Oriade Local Government Area and Obokun LGA because Oba Aromolaran was not “Owa of Ilesa but Owa Obokun of Ijesaland”.
Accompanying Oba Oyeleye at the extraordinary event were: Alademure of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro; Oba Joseph Oluwafemi Olayinka, Olu-Odo of Odo-Ijesa; Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, Asiwaju of Ijesaland; High Chief James Gbadamosi, Yeyerise of Ilesa; High Chief Bola Ojo, Obaloro of Ibokun; High Chief Olakunle Jegede, Lemodu of Ilesa; as well as Prince Adebiyi Aromolaran.
Giving the reason for the extraordinary meeting, the Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa, who spoke in Yoruba, declared: “It is a thing of profound sorrow to announce what has happened to our Father. That our Father, Owa Obokun Adimula (of Ijesaland), His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Adekunle Aromolaran II, has transformed and joined his forefathers.”
The Ogboni said though the paramount ruler’s demise was extremely painful, it was also a thing of joy because, according to him, the departed monarch gave all Ijesas, at home and in the diaspora, indeed all Nigerians, worthy legacies to emulate and celebrate.
“Baba,” he continued, “lived well, and gave his best to Ijesaland. Baba fought gallantly for the development of Ijesaland. On account of the great work and achievements that Baba made, it behoves those of us, Obas following Baba, to carry the mantle and continue the gargantuan work that he did.”
Oba Oyeleye expressed condolences to the fellow Obas seated with him, condoled specially with Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, and Prince Adebiyi Aromolaran who was also in attendance.
He prayed for the sweet repose of Oba Aromolaran’s soul, beseeching the Almighty to comfort the immediate Family, all Ijesas and preserve his legacies.
Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran joined his ancestors on Wednesday at the age of 87. He ruled for 42 years, having being installed the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland on May 20, 1980, by the then Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige, who promised to support any initiative aimed at constructing a befitting palace for the paramount ruler.
His coronation was witnessed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who gave an eloquent speech that elicited a roaring ovation from the tumultuous crowd.
The monarch, who had in recent times not enjoyed good health, was said to have been admitted into the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, last week when his condition reportedly deteriorated. But hard as the doctors tried, the Iroko fell. His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II breathed his last and went the way of all flesh.
The monarch reigned for 42 long years that brought unparalleled development and progress to Ijesaland.
Brief Bio
The last child of his mother, Tinuola Aromolaran, a princess of Esa-Oke, Oba Aromolaran was born on October 13, 1937, sired by Oba Iluyomade Aromolaran I, the Owa Obokun and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland who ruled from July 1920 to July 31, 1942.
The young prince started his primary education at Otapete Methodist School, Ilesa, but finished at the popular Agbeni Methodist School, Oke- Ado, Ibadan.
For his secondary education, Oba Aromolaran attended the prestigious Ilesa Grammar School, Ilesa, and also taught briefly before proceeding to Wesley College, Elekuro, Ibadan. He would later study Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics at Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State with legendary twin geniuses, Femi and Dotun (Twin brothers) Oyewole as his tutors.
Oba Aromolaran attended the then University College Ibadan (UCI), then a College of the University of London (now the University of Ibadan) where he obtained the B.Sc. Degree in Economics in 1964. The following year, he bagged a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) before travelling to the United State of America for a management course at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania, where he obtained a 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.
He later 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, Aromolaran Publishing Company Limited, at Ibadan on December 1, 1971.
The Company had branches along the West Coast of Africa- notably Ghana and Sierra Leone; and also London and New York in the United States.
A prolific author, and distinguished publisher, Oba Aromolaran authored over 100 titles for use in primary, secondary and tertiary Institutions both in Nigeria and overseas, and contributed to several national and international journals. The departed monarch was also an Examiner for General Certificate Education (GCE) Advanced Level Economics for the 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 Modibo Adama Federal University of Technology) from 2002 to 2014.
He 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.
