Ogungbangbe extols Oba Aromolaran's reign at Death... _extends condolences to Owa-in-Council_ By Isaac Olusesi

Dr Thomas Ogungbangbe has given a  thumbs up to the life and times of the Imperial Majesty Oba Dr Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran (II) CFR LL.D  Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, describing the late monarch as the architect of modern Ijesaland, with Ilesa, the historic, cultural and economic capital, hallmarked by enduring development and growth.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) CITA ENERGIES Limited noted, the quintessential Oba Aromolaran provided the needed enabling environment for the social, economic and political transformation of his vast Ijesa kingdom, adding that he was impressed by the paramount traditional ruler's esteemed permission and royal authority that preserved, strengthened, promoted and elevated the Ijesa rich heritage of cultures, traditions and values.

The late paramount traditional ruler, a fervent Christian, holder of the Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR), and renowned advocate of the place of traditional rulers on matters of governance and development, use of indigenous Yoruba language for legislative proceedings, and school children learnings in native language, brought a great deal of developmental changes to the people of the Ijesa sovereign kingdom, and Nigeria, in general, in his 42years of reign as the 40th Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, without turbulence, even for a day.

Dr Ogungbangbe, recalled that the late foremost traditional father and owner of a highly successful publishing company who rested at age 82, was the first Ph.D holder king in Nigeria; Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, now called Mobido Adama Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria between  2002 and 2014; Chairman, Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers; President of Ijesa Traditional Council; and Consenting Authority on Chieftaincy in Ijesaland.The retired Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Western Region Civil Service was an erudite scholar, prolific writer, author of over 100 titled books, widely used in the public schools in certain West African countries, notable contributor to national and international journals, and a reputable examiner for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

"He was an intellectual pugilist, most learned, most royal and yet, most humble by the strength of his character and conviction of his rulership, never spoilt for a day by the  phrase: 'to the king belongs the spoils of the throne.' He rather over worked himself, resilient," Ogungbangbe, the heir apparent to the throne of Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa in Oriade local government council area of Osun State, said

The Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in the Ife/Ijesa axis extended his condolences to the Owa in-Council and the entire Ijesa people, in particular, and the state, generally. While he prays for the repose of the soul of the departed Kabiyesi Alaiyeluwa Oba Aromolaran.

 OLUSESI writes via [email protected]