One of the first-class monarchs in Osun State – the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, is dead.
His death was announced in a statement, signed by Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Chief Yinka Fasuyi, on Thursday in Osogbo, the state capital.
Confirming the monarch’s death, Fasuyi, in a tribute that he personally wrote, “An Era Comes To An Abrupt End!
“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 expressed his deep sorrow over the reported death of the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran.
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.
Atiku’s wife, Titi, is from Ilesa in Osun State.
Atiku, who took to X on Thursday, shared the statement alongside a picture of him, the monarch, and the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
He wrote, “With a heavy heart, I received the news of the passing of the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.
“The late Owa was more than a father-in-law to me. Each time I visited him, he accorded me the homecoming welcome of a son. We all loved him dearly.
“He was a great monarch and personified the boldness, courage, and discipline of the Ijesha progeny.
“On behalf of my wife, Titi, I share my condolences with the Owa-in-Council and the entire indigenes and residents of Ijesha land, especially members of the royal family.
“As Oba Aromolaran turns his face to his maker, I pray that his soul finds a gentle repose,” he concluded.
Who was Oba Aromolaran II?
Oba Aromolaran, the last born of his mother, was born on 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.
He began his early education at Otapete Methodist School, Ilesa, and completed it at the renowned Agbeni Methodist School, Oke Ado, Ibadan. From 1970 to 1974, he attended Ilesa Grammar School before becoming a school teacher.
He then proceeded to Wesley College, Elekuro, Ibadan, a Teachers’ Training College. He later attended the then University College Ibadan (UCI), affiliated with the University of London (now University of Ibadan), where he earned a B.Sc. in Economics in 1964.
In 1965, he completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration at the University of Ife, then based in Ibadan. Oba Aromolaran III expanded his academic pursuits overseas, studying at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) in Pittsburgh, USA, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Mathematical Economics.
He later achieved a Ph.D. in Development Economics under the guidance of Prof. Samson Olajuwon Kokumo Olayide, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Aromolaran joined the Civil Service of the old Western Region, holding various positions and eventually rising to Deputy Permanent Secretary before voluntarily resigning in 1971 to establish Aromolaran Publishing Company Limited in Ibadan.
His company expanded across West Africa, with branches in Ghana, Sierra Leone, London, and New York. A respected publisher, Kabiyesi authored over 100 educational titles for use in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in Nigeria and abroad, and contributed to national and international journals.
He also served as an examiner for the GCE Advanced Level Economics for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ghana.
After the demise of Oba Peter Adeniran Olatunji Agunlejika II (1912-1981), he was enthroned as 40th Owa-Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland precisely with effect from 20th February 1982. He was coronated by the then Government of the old Oyo State, the Late Chief Bola on Saturday, 15th May, 1982.
From 2002 to 2014, Oba Aromolaran was the Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola (now Modibo Adama Federal University of Technology), and holds an honorary LLD degree from the institution.
He served as the President of the Ijesa Traditional Council – the 12 local governments in Ijesaland.
