THE Late Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, will be buried on December 14 and 15, 2024.
This announcement was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Owa-In-Council and the Agba Ijesas in Ilesa, Osun State.
The statement, shared with journalists, highlighted the monarch’s significant contributions to Ijesaland and beyond.
The Owa-In-Council, led by RHC Bola Orolugbagbe (the Odole Owa of Ijesaland), RHC Adebusi James Gbadamosi (the Obaodo of Ijesaland), and RHC Ojo Omoniyi Ogunyemo (the Lejoka of Ijesaland), noted that the late Oba’s contributions to education and academia were instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s development. His efforts greatly impacted scholars across West Africa.
Prince Adeola Aromolaran, the late Oba’s first son, revealed that his father published his first economics book at the age of 29 while serving as an undergraduate at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone. The book was widely used in West Africa, including Nigeria and Ghana. The late Oba also authored several other books that were influential in the field of economics throughout the region.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a condolence message to the Oba’s family, described him as a just man who upheld truth and fairness throughout his life.
The President praised the monarch’s publications and unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and Yoruba cultural values, which defined his 42-year reign as the 40th Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar eulogized the late monarch, describing him as more than a father-in-law but a symbol of courage, boldness, and discipline. Atiku acknowledged the late Oba’s exemplary lifestyle, which reflected the virtues of the Ijesa people.
Prince Adeola also expressed gratitude to the Owa-In-Council and the traditional chiefs for their dedication to preserving the monarch’s legacy, including observing a 90-day mourning period.
He noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke has constituted a committee to oversee the burial arrangements.
The prince urged all stakeholders, including Ijesa traditional rulers, members of the Owa-In-Council, and Ijesa sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora, to honor the burial dates.
The late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II ascended the throne in 1982, becoming the 40th Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. According to Yoruba history, the title Owa Obokun translates to “He who fetched sea water,” a reference to an act performed for his ancestor, the great Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba people.
The final burial of the revered monarch will be a momentous event, celebrating his remarkable life and enduring legacy.
