Lawyer and politician, Oba Mekunu Owolabi Salis, has condoled with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and people of Ijeshaland on the demise of ruler of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.
Salis described the passing as the end of an era.
“I felt a sense of loss, not only as a traditional chief, a Yoruba son and lover of tradition, but also because of distinguished Ijesha sons, who I am privileged to have as friends,and associates.
‘‘In this regard was Chief Jumoke Ogunkeyede, an unsung hero and patriot, a chief of Owa, who, as immigrant in New York, mobilised and led people like me, also resident in New York, in the struggle for liberty during Abacha military tyranny.
‘‘We also have personalities from Ijesha, who participated in the struggle like Osho, Madam Iyanda, and Fashakin, among others.
‘‘The late oba was a friend of Nigerian-Americans and Europeans Returnee Association as he often visited and identified with Yoruba in Dispora.
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‘‘I am a Lagosian. The Ijeshas and Lagosians share royal blood on the father line. We are same.’’
‘‘The monarch had a huge influence on me academically speaking during my growing up years” .
Salis recalled: ”During my secondary school, Oba Aromolaran had influence in my career, just as he had in many others through Aromolaran Publishers, whose books were popular among pupils, as well as books he authored, including those on Economics.”
“Those books, well written, are tailored to pupils’ need, a must read in those days’’.
‘‘It is in this sense that the Adimula will go down in history as a leading figure who moulded the youth towards educational excellence.
“I mentioned this because going through the tributes, I am yet to come by any reference to this aspect of his contribution to education of youths.
‘‘To rob him of this is a disservice to his legacy, hence my decision to set the records straight. ‘‘
He noted “as a forward-looking upwardly-mobile oba, Aromolaran was among earliest educated elite to mount leadership, thereby raising prestige of the traditional royal institution.”
‘‘As a catalyst of change, Ijeshaland witnessed a pace of development and modernity made possible through the modernising impulse of Owa.
‘‘With his departure, he had left Ijeshaland a better state than he met it”.
He described him as a unifying symbol and man of peace, whose carriage and comportment were qualities setting him apart as an exemplary model worthy of emulation by fellow monarchs.