The stool of Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland is vacant. The ‘special man’ in the traditional home of Ijesa forebears is gone. The late Aromolaran, the natural leader of Ijesas, who ruled for 42 years, journeyed to the land of Hades, where he would feast with his forefathers.
He died at the age of 86 after struggling with old age sickness. Nobody can avoid dying. No one can always fend off the grim reaper. They most likely believed that, as a king, Aromolaran was impervious to death. They had forgotten that everyone will eventually die.
Some questioned the veracity of the Oba Aromolaran’s demise story when it first surfaced. Some labeled it as fake news, while others saw it as a premeditated attempt to extend the monarch’s life. They raised skepticism because they were not new to fabrications about Aromolaran’s death. They have read of his passing and witnessed the king in public the next day. Unfortunately, Oba Aromolaran passed away this time against the will of the people. Those who waited in vain, hoping the report would be refuted, were disappointed. Ijesa people’s morning star had finally fallen asleep.
The inhabitants of the Ilesa kingdom are not the only ones mourning Aromolaran’s passing. The whole country has suffered a loss. Aromolaran is a patriot, an educator, a royal father, a publisher, and a capable leader. He made contributions to the country’s educational progress as a writer and publisher. Millions of Nigerians have benefited enormously from the late Oba Adekunle Aromolaran’s intellectual wealth. Many Nigerians studied the more than 100 books he published to further their education and careers.
Late Aromolaran was a majesty in his own realm. He was articulate, clever, and bold. He was a formidable commander and king. Money, respect, dignity, and authority are four things that the late Oba Aromolaran does not joke about. He doesn’t throw money at problems. You won’t find the Ijesa leader spending lavishly at gatherings either. When there is a need to spend, he must be properly convinced. I believe that many people have misinterpreted his desire to be frugal with his spending. An typical Ijesa man thinks Late Aromolaran was parsimonious/stingy because he studied economics. However, he was simply a cautious spender.
Those who have seen the deceased king inside the courtroom would comprehend the other side of Oba Aromolaran better. He was a strict and demanding ruler. Only someone strong and demanding could have governed the Ijesa people for 42 years. He did not merely sit inside docks discussing land issues. He also observed the gradual fragmentation of a united Ijesa, with the emergence of Ijesa North Traditional Council and Atakunmosa Traditional Council.
He was a prominent casualty during dominance fights in Ijesaland. Until now, he has worn the authority garment with respect and pride. Unfortunately, others who worked with him did not help the situation (dominance fight). Late Oba Aromolaran desired to be viewed as a leader of the Ijesas, but his promoters focused on Ilesa, a town in Ijesaland, in terms of human and infrastructure development, falling into the trap of those who regard late Oba Aromolaran as a monarch of Ilesa.
He was also an excellent man. If excellence protects one from death, Late Aromolaran would have been immortal. He wore royal shoes at an early age, but he was able to navigate life as a family man and ruler of a kingdom marred by disagreements and leadership tussle. Ijesaland has the most towns, according to my findings. No man could have ruled the kingdom without controversy. Only a tough and demanding monarch, such as Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, could help Ijesa prosper and enter the ranks of great kingdoms. His critics and opponents, including enemies who disagreed with everything about him, recognize his intellectual abilities. He was a famous academic dressed in royal robes. For the late Aromolaran, education is a must.
EARLY LIFE
Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, was born on October 13, 1937. He hailed from a royal lineage as the last-born child of Oba Iluyomade Aromolaran I and Princess Tinuola Aromolaran of Esa-Oke. He ascended the throne on February 20, 1982, following the passing of Oba Peter Adeniran Olatunji Agunlejika, becoming the 48th king of Ijesaland.
EDUCATION
Adekunle Aromolaran had his primary education at Otapete Methodist School, Ilesa, and later attended Agbeni Methodist School, Oke Ado, Ibadan. He went on to study at Ilesa Grammar School from 1970 to 1974. In 1964, he earned a B.Sc. in Economics from the University College Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan). He furthered his education by completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). Additionally, he obtained a Master’s degree in Mathematical Economics from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Pittsburgh, USA. He later earned a PhD in Development Economics under the supervision of Prof. Samson Olajuwon Kokumo Olayide, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
CAREER
Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran began his career in the civil service of the old Western Region of Nigeria, where he rose to the position of Deputy Permanent Secretary. In 1971, he left the civil service to establish Aromolaran Publishing Company Limited, which quickly expanded with branches in Ghana, Sierra Leone, London, and New York. As a prominent author and publisher, he wrote over 100 educational titles used by institutions in Nigeria and abroad.
Oba Aromolaran also contributed to education as an Examiner for Economics with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ghana. Beyond his business success, Oba Aromolaran held prestigious leadership positions. He served as Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, from 2002 to 2014, and was the Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers.
MARITAL LIFE
Oba Adekunle Aromolaran had multiple wives and children. His second wife, Alhaja Risikat Aromolaran, passed away and was buried in September 2022.