WE MOURN OUR LEGENDARY FIRST CLASS OBA, HIM,DR FREDRICK ADEGUNLE AROLOYE JP OFR AS HE JOINS HIS ANCESTORS AT 102 — IDANRE DEVELOPMENT ASSEMBLY.
His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr)Fredrick Adegunle Aroloye (Arubiefin IV), Owa Idanre and Paramount Ruler of Idanre Kingdom, was not just a monarch: he was a change agent, a visionary, an exemplary of the best traditions and customs of Idanre people.
He was the architect of modern Idanre, and his 48-year reign, by all means a watershed in Idanre and indeed Ondo State history, can never be forgotten.
Sad as we are about his passing given his inimitable fatherly presence, joviality, kindness, unblemished integrity and wise counsel, we are consoled by the fact that, just like his forebears, he was blessed with the gift of life, living to a ripe old age. This is, therefore, also a moment of celebration.
From his birth 102 years ago ,his primary education at St. Paul’s Primary School, Idanre and Methodist School, Idanre; secondary education in Western Boys High School, Benin (Edo State) and Hussy College, Warri, and his higher education at the Balham and Tooting College of Commerce and Law where he obtained his professional degree; to his stint as a Chief Licensing Officer under the Surrey County Council (England) and as a Finance Clerk in Greater London, and as a Treasury Cash Officer in the civil service of the Old Western Region, Kabiyesi exhibited the virtues of honesty, diligence, and deep commitment to the uplift of humanity. He talked, walked and acted like royalty, conscious of his distinguished heritage and mindful of his place as a Prince of Idanre Kingdom. And when he eventually mounted the throne of his forebears, he used it as a tool of development and progress.
Among other landmarks, he will be remembered for the Obaship institution with crown at Alade and Atosin Idanre and the expansion of the Oluship in other Idanre settlements, the placing of Idanre in the national and global consciousness with the Mare Festival, recognition of the Oke Idanre Hill by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and, most significantly, the protection of the interests of all Makanres regardless of religion, social status, or gender. He stood gallant on behalf of his people and spoke against the take over of their lands by mercenary forces. He was a Kabiyesi par excellence, and institution in the sheer force of his love dedication to his people.
We send our deepest condolences to the Lisa of Idanre land and traditional Prime Minister of Idanre, High Chief Christopher Oluwole Akindolire, Oloris and all Makanres on the demise of His Imperial Majesty and encourage the Lisa to hold the community intact as we celebrate the life and times of our revered royal father.
Dr Anthony A.Omolola.
President-General
Idanre Development Assembly, IDA.
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