Press & Public
Statements

A shared development vision for Yorubaland

Welcoming the Soun of Ogbomoso, he said the advancement of Yorubaland and Nigeria was essential to a better future for younger generations, and pledged collaboration with fellow custodians of culture.

Freedom to trade during a cost-of-living crisis

Through a radio announcement, the Owa-in-Council prohibited traders and artisans from being compelled to join associations, aiming to reduce the prices of food, goods and services. Threatened traders were urged to alert chiefs, community leaders or security agents.

Politics without bitterness

At a peace meeting with political-party leaders in Ilesa, he advised politicians of Ijesa extraction to reject bitterness and work together so development would not be derailed.

A geriatric centre opens—and a university is announced

At the inauguration of the community-funded Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, he praised Ijesa donors and the project team. The same ceremony brought the government announcement upgrading the College of Education, Ilesa, to a university after requests from the monarch and prominent Ijesa people.

Community self-reliance, with government remembered

Receiving a governorship candidate, he pointed to projects financed by Ijesa people—including the palace and a hospital for older people—while asking future government not to forget the community.

“We don’t need any money from anybody. We built a hospital for the aged.”

Support for a university in Ilesa

He affirmed Ijesaland’s support for upgrading the College of Education, Ilesa, to a university and explained that legal and gazetting procedures had to be completed before implementation.

Support tied to peace and public works

During Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s engagement tour, he publicly endorsed the governor’s re-election, praised the administration’s projects and repeatedly urged the preservation of peace in Osun State.

“Our support includes peace. We have told our children not to foment trouble.”

Act against illegal mining and its social costs

At the inauguration of the new palace, he asked the Osun State Government to control the influx of people engaged in illegal mining, warning that the activity placed pressure on community life.

A palace built through unity

He described the new palace as a demonstration of Ijesa commitment to development and said it should strengthen love, oneness and togetherness across the community.

Let Ijesaland benefit from the gold beneath its land

Hosting the Ijesa Mineral Resources Development Forum, he argued for a local gold-processing plant, warned traditional rulers against illegal mining and insisted that host communities’ welfare be protected.

“They have to cater for our people’s welfare too.”

Care for the less privileged

In a message delivered by his representative, he urged Ijesa people at home and abroad to emulate humanitarian work supporting widows and commended sustained service to less-privileged people.

Include traditional rulers in governance

While receiving a fire-safety committee, he urged governments to involve traditional rulers in governance and warned households to take fire prevention seriously.

Build institutions, not only houses

He called on Ijesa people living elsewhere to return, invest and create lasting institutions—specifically industries and universities—that would deepen the local economy.

“They should site industries and universities here.”

Reduce hunger and poverty

Speaking for traditional rulers at Osun State’s 25th-anniversary event, he thanked God for sustaining the state through its challenges and urged government to reduce hunger and poverty.

Preserving an ancestral Ilesa observance

Press coverage recorded Oba Aromolaran celebrating the annual Uyiarere Festival with Ijesa chiefs, residents and visitors. The observance belongs to a wider ancestral sequence that leads into Elefon and Egungun rites.

Rumour destroys unity and progress

After false reports of his death, he publicly corrected the record and condemned rumour-mongering as destructive to the unity of communities and nations.

“It is something to be discouraged and it does not bring progress.”

His enduring educational creed

In an interview later published by P.M. News, he distilled a lifetime of scholarship, teaching, authorship and publishing into a memorable principle.

“Education is life. Education is light. It dispels all darkness.”

Peace, unity and practical needs at Iwude Ijesa

At the festival’s grand finale attended by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, he urged Ijesa people to preserve cordial relations and peaceful coexistence. He also appealed for functioning water supplies and the dualisation of major roads in Ilesa.

Peaceful coexistence is fundamental to sustaining unity.