Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed his condolences on the transition of the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesa land, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.
OBA AROMOLARAN HAS LEFT WORTHY LEGACIES, SAYS OYEBANJI
The Governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the loss of the prominent monarch as painful, huge and monumental.
He noted that the late Oba Aromolaran distinguished himself not only as a first class traditional ruler but as a renowned educationist, father figure, peacemaker, nation builder and a repository of history and knowledge.
Governor Oyebanji said the late Oba Aromolaran left worthy legacies that would continue to benefit generations yet unborn and had immortalized himself in the hearts of the people.
The Governor acknowledged the late royal father’s intellectual prowess as a writer, a teacher and publisher of several books, most of which were the official titles of WAEC for its ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels examinations for many years.
He expressed regrets that the wise counsel of the deceased would be sorely missed as he was a respected elder looked up to for guidance by contemporary leaders.
While praying for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased, Governor Oyebanji prayed God to grant the family, the Owa Obokun-in-Council, the people of Ijesa land, the Government and people of Osun State the fortitude to bear the loss.
Oba Aromolaran II, a millionaire publisher was unanimously chosen in 1982 by all Ijesas at home and in the Diaspora to become the 40th Owa-Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, precisely, with effect from February 20, 1982.
That was after his predecessor, Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Peter Adeniran Olatunji Agunlejika II, who ruled from September 24, 1966, joined his ancestors on September 26, 1981.
He was coronated by the then governor of the old Oyo State, the late Chief Bola Ige, on Saturday, May 15, 1982.
The federal government, in consideration of Oba Aromolaran’s meritorious and selfless services to the nation, honored him with the award of Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR).
A Christian, who worshipped at Otapete Methodist Cathedral, Ilesa, Oba Aromolaran was the first Nigerian Oba 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.
Oba Aromolaran’s pen since ascending the throne “never lost its power and his proclivity for writing never waned”.
The last born of his mother, Oba Aromolaran was born on 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.
He began his primary education at Otapete Methodist School, Ilesa, which he completed at the prestigious Agbeni Methodist School, Oke Ado, Ibadan. He attended Ilesa Grammar School, between 1970 and 1974.
Oba Aromolaran was a school teacher before proceeding to Wesley College, Elekuro Ibadan, a Teachers’ Training College. He later studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics at Abeokuta Grammar School, Ogun State.
The Oba attended the then University College Ibadan (UCI), which was then a College of the University of London (now the University of Ibadan), where he obtained a B.Sc. in Economics in 1964.
In 1965, he graduated a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration of the University of Ife, then located in Ibadan, and went abroad for a management course at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania, in the United States of America, and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Mathematical Economics.
Oba Aromolaran studied and earned his Ph.D. in Development Economics under the supervision of Professor Samson Olajuwon Kokumo Olayide, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Both 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 private business called Aromolaran Publishing Company Limited in Ibadan on December 1, 1971.
The company had branches along the West Coast of Africa – in Ghana and Sierra Leone – as well as London and New York (USA).
As a reputable publisher, he authored over 100 titles for use in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions both in Nigeria and abroad, and contributed to national and international journals.
Kabiyesi was an Examiner for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level Economics for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ghana. He was Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State (now Modibo Adama Federal University of Technology) from 2002 to 2014.
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Sweden’s Immigration Dilemma: From Open Arms to Unwise Solutions. By Kio Amachree
For years, Sweden stood as one of the most liberal and welcoming societies in Europe, accepting thousands of immigrants from the Middle East and Africa. However, the influx of refugees in 2015 overwhelmed the country’s systems, leading to issues of assimilation, segregation, and a rise in gang violence unlike anything previously seen in peaceful Sweden.
In response, the far-right gained power, promising solutions to the immigration challenges. But in typical Swedish fashion, these measures lack thoughtfulness and seem disconnected from past mistakes. Today, as I write this, it feels like every potential refugee in the world is planning to arrive en masse, hoping to register in time for the absurd payout of 350,000 SEK (about 35,000 USD) per person for leaving Sweden. A foreign minister friend of mine shared the government’s plan with me, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how desperate and misguided things have become.
When the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden opened, it facilitated a surge of immigrants into southern Sweden, much to the surprise of Swedes. Now, with this new initiative, Sweden is sending a worldwide signal: “Come here, claim refugee status, and we’ll make you rich if you decide to leave.” Have they lost their minds?
