By Gbenga Iloro
The excellent leadership qualities of the 40th Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, recommend themselves for study and research in knowledge, wisdom, as well as human and resource management.
So says the Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa, Oba Dr. Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, in a condolence message he sent to the Family, Palace and people of Ijesaland on the passing of the paramount ruler who joined his ancestors on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The Owa was 87 when he went the way of all flesh.
Speaking to The Crest, Oba Ajayi Arowotawaya II described the departed Owa as a great leader whose 42 years reign brought tremendous progress and ethereal peace to Ijesaland.
“Our Father, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, brought to the throne uncommon goodwill, sound intellectual capacity and capital, huge reservoir of experience in business where he was a super star, as well as his extensive network-locally and internationally, all of them being attributes that defined his reign,” said the Elerinmo, who, himself recorded phenomenal successes in international business and human development, snowballing into his appointment as the President of the Ghana-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce.
“The leadership attributes and lessons from Baba, recommend themselves for study, research and analysis of the qualities and strategies that made him an exceptional leader. In addition to his intellectual capacity, he brought panache to the throne of his forefathers. His contribution and commitment to his community’s wellness and humanity was exceptional. Just like his cultural and educational impact, his other contributions to society will stand the test of time. History and posterity will surely be kind to Baba.”
Continuing, the Elerinmo who celebrated the 10th anniversary of his coronation with pomp recently, recounted with nostalgia how the late Owa helped steady his feet when he became King of the agrarian town. Ten years down the line, the town is rapidly becoming a tourist destination of choice.
The late Owa, the Elerinmo continued, helped build his confidence level as a monarch.
“I was close to him (Owa),” he said. “I met him during the burial of my father, Pa Joseph Ajayi. Having picked an uncommon interest in me, he drew my attention to my people’s choice of picking me as their new king. Within six months after that encounter, I became King and he was there for me.
“Personally, the Owa Obokun, Oba Aromolaran II, was my mentor in cultural and traditional matters. He encouraged me with his wealth of experience having noticed my cerebral capacity. Remarkably, the Owa Obokun accepted me as son. He was the Grand Royal Father of the Day during my first coronation anniversary in 2015. His ever presence in my life influenced my work as a King. He contributed significantly to the progress I made as King.
Oba Arowotawaya II also recalled his last meeting with the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland. He (the Elerinmo) had visited the paramount ruler in his palace at Ilesa few days to the commencement of the tenth anniversary of his coronation. Little did the Elerinmo know that would be the last meeting between them.
But as usual, the Elerinmo recalls, the Owa showed love to him.
“Oba Aromolaran II had encouraged me in many ways, having noticed that I am well educated and has vast knowledge on global issues like him,” he said. “We shared uncommon affinity as traditional rulers and would always rub minds on critical cultural matters.”
The Elerinmo commiserated with the good people of Ijesaland and the Adimula Aromolaran II Family in particular. He said though the monarch’s passing was painful and he would be sorely missed, they should be comforted by the fact that Oba Aromolaran II left solid legacies and giant footprints on the sound of time.
He urged Ijesas to continue to maintain the peace and harmony that their revered King always preached and stood for as it was a sine qua non for development and progress.
