President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have expressed their condolences to the family, government, and people of Osun State, as well as the citizens of Ijesaland, following the passing of Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
The Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Yinka Fasuyi, confirmed the monarch’s death in a statement released Thursday in Osogbo. Oba Aromolaran, who passed away at the age of 86, had ruled for 42 years.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the monarch’s passing. He praised Oba Aromolaran, the first Nigerian Oba to hold a PhD in Economics, for his unwavering dedication to preserving Yoruba culture and African traditions.
Tinubu noted that Oba Aromolaran’s respect for these values and traditions shaped his four-decade-long reign. The president further commended the monarch for his strong advocacy for justice, unity, and prosperity in Nigeria.
He lauded the late Oba’s contributions to education, through his numerous books and publications, and his enduring support for fairness. President Tinubu also offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the monarch’s soul, asking for divine comfort for all who mourn his loss.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to honor Oba Aromolaran, describing him as a symbol of greatness and an embodiment of the courage, boldness, and discipline of the Ijesha people.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), expressed his deep sadness at the monarch’s passing, recalling his personal connection to the late king. “The late Owa was more than a father-in-law to me. Every time I visited him, he welcomed me as a son. We loved him dearly. He was a great monarch who personified the boldness, courage, and discipline of the Ijesha people,” Atiku said.
“On behalf of my wife, Titi, I extend my deepest condolences to the Owa-in-Council, the royal family, and all the people of Ijesaland. As Oba Aromolaran meets his Maker, I pray for his soul’s peaceful repose. Amen,” the statement concluded.
Oba Aromolaran’s Legacy
Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, who also served as Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, was known for maintaining the dignity of his palace by keeping it above partisan politics and welcoming individuals from all political backgrounds.
Born on October 13, 1937, Oba Aromolaran was the last child of Iluyomade Aromolaran I, who ruled as Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland from 1920 to 1942. His mother, Tinuola Aromolaran, was a princess from Esa-Oke in Ijesaland.
The monarch’s education began at Otapete Methodist School in Ilesa and continued at Agbeni Methodist School, Ibadan. He later attended Ilesa Grammar School before training as a school teacher at Wesley College in Ibadan, a prestigious teachers’ training college.
After ascending to the throne in 1982, Oba Aromolaran’s educational journey stood out for its distinction. He studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics at Abeokuta Grammar School and earned a B.Sc. degree in Economics from the University College Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan) in 1964.
In 1965, he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Public Administration from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). His educational pursuits also took him abroad, where he earned a Master’s degree in Mathematical Economics from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Additionally, he obtained a Ph.D. in Development Economics under the supervision of Professor Samson Olayide, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Oba Aromolaran enjoyed a distinguished career in public service. He rose through the ranks in the old Oyo State civil service to become Deputy Permanent Secretary. In 1971, he voluntarily left public service to establish Aromolaran Publishing Company Limited in Ibadan. The company eventually expanded its operations to Ghana, Sierra Leone, London, and New York.
Oba Aromolaran’s legacy extends beyond his reign, marked by his contributions to education, culture, and public service, as well as his ability to unite people from various walks of life. His reign will be remembered for its dedication to tradition, progress, and the well-being of Ijesaland.
