The Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, has died at the age of 96.
The Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland and Chairman, Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, according to available information, died on Wednesday, 11th September, 2024.
However, the announcement of his demise remains under wraps in line with traditional customs.
A first class Oba in Osun State, Oba Aromolaran II, was unanimously chosen by all Ijesas at home and in the Diaspora to become the 40th Owa-Obokun Adimula with effect from 20th February, 1982.
He was coronated by the then Governor of the old Oyo State, the late Chief Bola Ige amidst pomp and circumstance on Saturday, 15th May, 1982.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in consideration of Oba Aromolaran’s meritorious and selfless services to the Nigeria honoured him with the award of the Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).
Oba Aromolaran is the first Nigerian monarch to hold a PhD and his first book, Economics for West Africa was published in 1966 in collaboration with his friends, Alabi Ogun and Areoye Oyebola.
A prolific scholar, Aromolaran had about 100 titles to his name.
Oba Aromolaran, the last child of his mother, was born in 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.
Oba Aromoran started his primary school education at Otapete Methodist School, Ilesa which he finally completed at the prestigious Agbeni Methodist School Oke Ado Ibadan. He attended Ilesa Grammar School, between 1970 and 1974. He was a school teacher before proceeding to Wesley College, Elekuro Ibadan – a Teachers’ Training College. Kabiyesi later studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics at Abeokuta Grammar School.
Oba Aromolaran proceedee to the then University College Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan) where he obtained the B.Sc. Degree in Economics’ in 1964. In 1965, he did a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration Department of the University of Ife then located at Ibadan. He later went overseas for a management course at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania, in the United State of America and graduated with Master’s Degree in Mathematical Economics. He earned his Ph.D. in Development Economics under the supervision of Prof Samson Olajuwon Kokumo Olayide, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Oba Aromolaran joined the Civil Service of the old Western Region, served in various capacities and rose to the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary before he voluntarily resigned his appointment to set up his Aromolaran Publishing Company Limited at Ibadan on December 1, 1971. The company had branches along the West Coast of Africa: in Ghana, Sierra Leone, London and New York (USA). Oba Aromolaran was a reputable publisher and authored over 100 titles for use in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions both in Nigeria and abroad and contributed to national and international Journals.
He was also an Examiner for General Certificate Education (GCE) Advanced Level Economics for West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Sierra-Leone and Ghana.
Oba Aromolaran was 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 holds the LLD Degree (Honoris Causa) of the same University.
At the time of his passing, he was Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers and the President of Ijesa Traditional Council comprising the 12 Local Governments in Ijesaland.
He is also the Prescribed and Consenting Authority over all Chieftaincies in Ijesaland with about 100 beaded crown traditional rulers in Ijesaland are under his domain.
