A prominent member of the Aromolaran Muslim Community in Ibadan has described the death of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Gabriel Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesa land as a huge loss to Nigeria and a deep sock to the entire Aromolaran Community.
Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Friday, described Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, a first class traditional ruler as a great philanthropist, educationist, economist, writer, and publisher.
According to him, Oba Aromolaran took it upon himself every year by donating Ram to the mosque every Eid-Kabir festival. “This is just one out of many good deeds of the monarch to the Muslim Community of Aromolaran, while his dear wife also choose Ramadan of every year for her donations and contributions to the people of the masjid” he stated.
Oba 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 at Ibadan in 1971.
According to Mallam Agunbiade, the company had branches along the West Coast of Africa: Ghana, Sierra Leone, London and New York (USA). “Oba Aromolaran, as a reputable Publisher, has authored over 100 Titles for use in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions both in Nigeria and Overseas and had contributed to national and international Journals.
He added that, Kabiyesi was also an Examiner for General Certificate of Education (GCE), Advanced Level Economics for West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Sierra-Leone and Ghana.’ Oba Aromolaran was also the Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, now Modibo Adama Federal University of Technology from 2002 to 2014.
“He also served as Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers and the President of Ijesa Traditional Council comprising the Twelve (12) Local Governments in Ijesaland. He was also the prescribed and consenting authority over all chieftaincies in Ijesaland.
Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade prayed God to grant the family, the Owa Obokun-in-Council, the people of Ijesa land, the Government and people of Osun State, Aromolaran Muslim Community in Ibadan the fortitude to bear the loss.