Connect with us

News

Adekunle Aromolaran, Owa-Obokun Of Ijesaland Dies At 86

“A monumental history closes! The lion departs the forest! The torch bearer Of Oduduwa relocates! The symbol Of Obokun Adimula transits!,”

Published

on

The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, has reportedly passed away at the age of 86. A palace source who craved anonymity died on Wednesday after a brief illness.

Though the Owa Obokun palace has not issued any official statement with regard to the monarch’s passing, sources within the palace confirmed the death of the popular monarch.

The source said, “Baba has passed, but we are waiting for an official announcement from the palace.

“You can see that they have started performing some traditional rites. This has to be done before any announcement can be made,” she added.

He was the 48th king of the ancient city, and succeeded Oba Peter Adeniran Olatunji Agunlejika who died in 1981.

Aromolaran ascended the throne on February 20, 1982. His reign spanned 42 years.

On Thursday, Yinka Fasuyi, Asiwaju of Ijesaland, announced the king’s passing after rumours of his ill health began circulating on social media.

In a tribute, Fasuyi extolled the reign of the king, describing him as the “pride of Yoruba traditional intellectualism.”

“A monumental history closes! The lion departs the forest! The torch bearer Of Oduduwa relocates! The symbol Of Obokun Adimula transits!,” the tribute reads.

“The elegance Of Ijesaland royalty takes a bow! The pride Of Yoruba traditional intellectualism exits! The conscience Of Yoruba traditional rulers departs!

“The Last Of the titans bids farewell! Ijesaland celebrates the life Of her idol! Ijesaland extolls the life Of our imperial majesty! Ijesaland eulogises the reign Of ur Owa Obokun Adimula! Ijesaland applauds the legacy Of our paramount ruler! 42 Years Of monumental reign comes to a glorious end!”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condoled with the people of Ijesa over the death of the king.

In a statement shared on his X page, Atiku described the late king as “a great monarch who personified boldness, courage, and discipline of the Ijesha progeny.”

“With a heavy heart, I received the news of the passing of the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran. The late Owa was more than a father-in-law to me. Each time I visited him, he accorded me the homecoming welcome of a son,” he wrote.

“We all loved him dearly. He was a great monarch and personified the boldness, courage, and discipline of the Ijesha progeny.

“On behalf of my wife, Titi, I share my condolences with the Owa-in-Council and the entire indigenes and residents of Ijesha land, especially members of the royal family.

“As Oba Aromolaran turns his face to his Maker, I pray that his soul finds a gentle repose.”

Aromolaran was born in October 13, 1937 into the royal household of Oba Iluyomade Aromolaran I.

He started his primary school education at Otapete Methodist school, Ilesa and finally completed his primary education at the Agbeni Methodist school Oke Ado Ibadan.

Aromolaran attended Ilesa Grammar School, between 1970 and 1974 before attending the then University College Ibadan (UCI) which was then a College of the University of London (now the University of Ibadan) where he obtained the B.Sc. degree in economics.

In 1965, he did a post-graduate diploma in public administration of the University of Ife, then located at Ibadan, and also holds a master’s degree in mathematical economics.

He earned his PhD in development economics under the supervision of Prof Samson Olajuwon Kokumo Olayide, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

News

Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

Published

on

By

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

Continue Reading

News

Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

Published

on

By

The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

Continue Reading

News

Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

Published

on

By

Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

Continue Reading

Trending