THE ancient agidigbo drums have spoken and the doors and the windows of the palace of one of the revered sons of Oduduwa have been thrown open waiting for the people of Erin-Ijesa to come and clean the palace; all signaling the end of the era of one of the longest rulers of Ijesaland so far, the PhD-holding, brilliant, handsome, charming, romantic, dependable, courageous, articulate, caring, accommodating and selfless Oba(Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, the Owa Obokun Adimula and paramount ruler of Ijesaland. Forty-two years during which Ijesaland was not put to shame. Forty-two years during which we had no war or mutiny in Ijesaland. Forty-two years during which our people triumphed academically, commercially, financially, industrially, politically, infrastructurally. Forty-two years during which the epidemics that reared their ugly heads did not find their foot in Ijesaland. Forty-two years of peace, progress, harmony, development, integrity, conviviality and the elevation of everything noble about Ijesas. Baba Aromolaran made all of us proud as our paramount ruler in all the situations that arose during his relatively long reign, a good number of them being extremely challenging.
My first encounter with Kabiyesi was in 1995 when I went to make a case for the industrialization of Ijesaland under his deliberate leadership. He received me with a lot of warmth, expressed full support for my vision and gave me a list of Ijesas that I should bring on board. I must admit that all my attempts to make those Ijesas work together failed. Consequently, I paid several personal visits to the palace and led a few official delegations on courtesy calls to him at different times. On all occasions, the inimitable Commander of the Federal Republic supported every idea that I put forward and ensured its success. He also made himself available in person when and where required in order to put a stamp of authority on such activities. In 2014, I organized an economic summit on Ijesaland in Lagos under the auspices of Ijesaland Development Foundation. The Summit was also designed to restore unity in Ijesaland. Kabiyesi was there in person and delivered a very powerful speech in the presence of about ten other Kabiyesis from across Ijesaland, business leaders, academics, professionals etc. That speech became a watershed in the reign of Kabiyesi arguably and it laid the foundation for the Unity and Progress that followed later.
My relationship with Kabiyesi culminated in my being appointed the Secretary of his 80th birthday organizing committee at which occasion I was also conferred with the honorary title of Bobajiro of Ilesa. My role as the Secretary of the Committee afforded me the opportunity to work with Kabiyesi and know the Man and Leader, Adekunle Aromolaran. He took me on as one of his sons and he showered me with love, affection, encouragement and unforgettable words of advice. I also saw the romantic side of him as well as his understated sense of humor. I will always cherish my relationship with him. I will always cherish the times that we sat together and the great knowledge and words of advice that he shared with me so generously.
When the current phase of the train of development started, Kabiyesi was also there, mentoring, supporting all, encouraging both the leaders and followers and providing leadership. His role in the Methodist Church in particular and all denominations in general clearly showed his relationship with God. I am sure that the Methodist Mission worldwide will never forget this “Oba to Mo Jesu”. Today, I join all the sons and daughters of Oduduwa, all Nigerians and all that knew Oba Aromolaran II in celebrating his life of legacies, accomplishments and excellence. I bid our father, Osupa Ileki, amororo lagbo, Fulani Ijesa to nmuni ni pelepele farewell. I commiserate with his beautiful Oloris and wonderful children. May God be with all of you and comfort all of you. To all Ijesas, a ku ara feraku. Erin ti wo, Ekun ti lo. A ku idaro ara ria. Oloun a te baba ria safefe rere. Oloun a toju gbogbo ria. Ule Ijesa ni baje leyin rinhan. Oloun a de yan Oba rere ko tu a se ju ye Baba ria Aromolaran se fun a. Ase(Condolences). May the soul of Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland rest in peace.
- Chief Falobi (FNSE, FCIoD) is Bobajiro of Ilesa and founder, Ijesaland Development Foundation(IDF).
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