Ijesa indigenes in North America have described the late Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran II, a quintessential leader who played laudable role in the development of his domain, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
This position forms the major theme of the reaction of Ijesas in The Diaspora to the passing of Oba Aromolaran in a statement they (the various groups) issued to newsmen on Tuesday.
Their reaction came in a joint press release they issued under the auspices of the National Council of Egbe Omo Obokun of Ijesaland.
The statement was jointly signed by Rotimi Fafowora (California); Samuel Babalola (Chicago); Jimoh Adebayo (Baltimore/Washington); Bose Ogundipe (Dallas), Olawale Alonge (Indianapolis) and Chief Edward Oni from Atlanta, Georgia.
The statement read, “The Chairman, the executive officers of the National Council Egbe Omo Obokun of Ijesaland in North America and all the chapter presidents representing the entire Ijesa descendants in North America express our deepest condolences to the royal family and the entire Aromolaran Family in Ilesa and worldwide; to all descendants of Ijesaland worldwide on the passing on of our great patriarch, our Grand Patron in North America, Oba (Dr.) Adekunle Aromolaran II.
“In honouring a long life well lived, the late Owa of Ijesaland forefather was the last born of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yorubas.
“While further extending our condolences to fellow monarchs in Yorubaland, the group further stated that Oba Aromolaran was a great contributor to the education and history of the Yorubas, which extended across Nigerian and the West African region.”
Oba Aromolaran died on September 13, 2024, after reigning for 42 years.
He once served as Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers.
He was aged 87.
