*His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, Ph.D, CFR, LL.D, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, in Ilesa, Osun State of Nigeria, passes on at age 86

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, Ph.D, CFR, LL.D, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, in Ilesa, Osun State of Nigeria, has joined his ancestors at age 86.

Close sources within the palace Thursday, September 12, 2024, disclosed Oba Aromolaran passed after a brief illness.

The late royal father, who mounted the throne of his forefathers in 1982 had reigned for 42 years.

Though the palace of Owa Obokun has yet to issue any official statement as regards the passage of the monarch as of the time of filing, sources within the palace, in Ilesa, however, confirmed his death.

One of the sources, a female, reportedly stated: 鈥淏aba Owa has passed on, but we are waiting for official announcement from the palace.

鈥淵ou can notice that they have started performing some traditional rites. This has to be done before any announcement can be made.鈥�

It was also observed that some traditional rites typically performed following the demise of a king were being carried out Thursday, according to report.

The late monarch was said to have been sick for some time, but the situation degenerated during the week before he was hospitalised.

Oba Aromolaran was admitted for medical care at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC) Complex, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, till Wednesday, sources noted.

Oba Aromolaran, a 鈥榪uintessential Imperial Majesty, says Chief Fasuyi

In his tribute affirming the passage of the traditional ruler, Chief Olayinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, the very first confirmation by a noble Ijesa Chief, described late Oba Aromolaran as a 鈥淨uintessential Imperial Majesty鈥�.

Fasuyi stated described his passage as 鈥渁n era comes to an abrupt end.鈥�

His tribute reads:

鈥淎 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 II, CFR, LL.D; the Owa Obokun Adimula and paramount ruler of Ijesaland.

Osupa Ileki, Amo roro l鈥檃gbo!

Filani Ijesa Ti O nmu Omo Ni Pele pele!

O Ba Iya Sun Fi Ewa Ran Omo!

Ki a to ri Erin, O d鈥檌gbo!

Ki a to ri efon, o d鈥檕dan!

Ki a to ri afinju Oba bi Dokita Adekunle Aromolaran鈥�!

Erin woooooooooo!

Late Oba Aromolaran at a glance

Oba Aromolaran, a prominent writer, teacher and publisher from the Aromolaran family, in Ilesa, ascended the throne February 20, 1982.

The late monarch, the last born of his mother, was born into the royal household of Kabiyesi, Alayeluwa, Oba Iluyomade Aromolaran I, the Owa Obokun and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, who reigned from July 1920 to July 31, 1942, and Princess Tinuola Aromolaran, a princess of Esa-Oke, also 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, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He also attended Ilesa Grammar School between 1970 and 1974. He was a school teacher before proceeding to Wesley College, a Teachers鈥� Training College, located at Elekuro, in Ibadan.

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 later 鈥榓ttended the then University College, Ibadan (UCI), which was then a College of the University of London (now the University of Ibadan, UI), where he studied and obtained a B.Sc. Degree in Economics in 1964.

In 1965, he did a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration of the University of Ife, then located in Ibadan.

The Royal Father travelled overseas for a Management course at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), in Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania, in the United State of America (USA), and graduated with a Master鈥檚 Degree in Mathematical Economics.

Oba Aromolaran studied and earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Degree in Development Economics under the supervision of Prof. Samson Olajuwon Kokumo Olayide, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

On his return to Nigeria, he joined the Civil Service of the old Western Region, and served in various capacities.

He rose from the ranks to the position of Deputy Permanent Secretary before he voluntarily resigned his appointment to set up his private business called 鈥淎romolaran Publishing Company Limited鈥�, December 1, 1971, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The publishing firm had branches along the West Coast of Africa, including Ghana, Sierra Leone, London and New York, in the USA.

Oba Aromolaran, a reputable publisher, is said to have authored over 100 titles for use in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions both in Nigeria and overseas, as well as contributed to national and international academic journals.

Kabiyesi was also reputed as an examiner for General Certificate Education (GCE), Advanced Level Economics for the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Liberia.

Oba Aromolaran was formerly 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 also held the LL.D Degree (Honoris Causa) of the same University.

He served as Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, and President of Ijesa Traditional Council, comprising the 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ijesaland, South-West Nigeria.

Oba Aromolaran was the 鈥減rescribed and consenting authority鈥� over all chieftaincies across Ijesaland in the country.

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