By Our Reporter
Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, the Owa-Obokun of Ijesa-land, has passed away at the age of 86.
The news was confirmed in a statement issued by Chief Yinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, on Thursday in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State. Prior to this announcement, there had been concern over the monarch’s health, as reports suggested he had been ill.
In his tribute, Fasuyi wrote: “An Era Comes To An Abrupt End! A Monumental History Closes! The Lion Departs The Forest! The Torch Bearer Of Oduduwa Relocates! The Symbol Of Obokun Adimula Transits! The Elegance Of Ijesaland Royalty Takes A Bow! The Pride Of Yoruba Traditional Intellectualism Exits! The Conscience Of Yoruba Traditional Rulers Departs! The Last Of The Titans Bids Farewell! Ijesaland Celebrates The Life Of Her Idol! Ijesaland Extolls The Life Of Our Imperial Majesty! 42 Years Of Monumental Reign Comes To A Glorious End!
“Ijesa Women and Men, Young and Old, At Home and In The Diaspora, Unite to Bid Farewell to Our Baba Kaaaaaaabiyeeesiiiii Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, LL.D.; the Owa-Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also mourned the monarch’s passing, taking to his X account to express his sorrow. Atiku remembered the late Oba as a figure of fatherly warmth and a symbol of courage, boldness, and discipline reflective of the Ijesha people.