I wish to express my sincere condolences to all members of the Aroloye dynasty and other sons and daughters of Idanre kingdom on the glorious exit of our revered and impactful monarch, father and mentor, the Kabiyesi and paramount ruler of Idanre kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Frederick Adegunle Aroloye, OFR, JP. Oba Aroloye ‘s 48-year reign had brought tremendous human resources and developmental projects to the entire Idanre land from home and abroad. His reign was very peaceful and pleasant.
His reign will forever be remembered for recording a great leap in the number of secondary schools from the paltry two he met in 1976 to over thirty (both public and private), before joining his ancestors on 30th July 2024. Kabiyesi equally sponsored his biological children to university levels of formal education!
He was not only handsome but also very helpful, humorous, humane, humble and hardworking throughout his life. Here was a King who readily assisted everyone who approached him for one help or the others. He was well respected among his brother Obas across the nation because of his charisma and for the fact that he bore an encyclopedia of Obaship history in the Southwestern part of Nigeria – the Yoruba race. Little wonder he variously served as member, Peace and Reconciliation committees that resolved disputes among other Obas. Kabiyesi served as the Chairman of Ondo State Council of traditional rulers on three different occasions and at a time, he represented the highly revered Council under the Old Ondo State (comprising Ondo & present Ekiti States) at the National Council of States in Abuja.
A profound lover and motivator of his subjects, Kabiyesi decorated me a chief in December 1991 without coercing me to do any untoward things either under the guise of tradition or compensation. He particularly encouraged my service to Idanre community in diverse ways and capacities. As Chairman of his Essential Services Committee between 1988 and 1990, our monarch saddled me with exerting pressure on the then National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Ondo State Water corporation to ensure Idanre enjoyed their respective social services at the time. Our beloved King was remarkably peaceful, pleasant and God-fearing – one King who acknowledged God as the King of Kings! His exit is a personal loss to me because he adopted me as a son and a confidant. Honestly, I really don’t think I will ever find a replacement till eternity!
My sincere prayer is that God comforts all his beautiful Queens (Oloris), beloved biological offspring, family members and the entire Makanres (sons & daughters of Idanre kingdom). May God grant him a peaceful rest in His bosom. Adieu my revered Kabiyesi – a loved King with a long reign.
Dr Chief Kola Jones ADEMUJIMI is the Otunba-Ajiroba of Idanre Kingdom.
