The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland
Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, known regally as Owa Ajimoko III, was officially installed as the 41st Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland on December 22, 2022. The coronation, held at the entrance of Okemesi/Ipoti Town Hall in Ilesa, Osun State, featured the presentation of the staff of office and instrument of appointment by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Background and Career
Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup was born on September 19, 1948 into the Ajimoko royal family of Ilesaland. He pursued his early education from Ilesa to Ibadan and later graduated from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1978. He began his career with Nigerian Tobacco Company in 1981, later joined ELF Petroleum Nigeria, and served as Deputy Country Sales Manager of Total Nigeria Plc until his retirement in 1993.
Beyond politics, Oba Haastrup is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. He founded ENL Consortium Limited in 2002, a conglomerate overseeing ports, power generation, and other infrastructure sectors. His philanthropy efforts are channeled through the Clement Haastrup Foundation, which provides educational support, skills training, and medical intervention.
Vision for Ijesaland
Oba Haastrup has expressed a strong desire to unite diversity among the Ijesa people, stating, “The time for the contest is now over. Let us come together to build a stronger Ijesaland where prosperity and welfare of all becomes traditional.” For him, there is “No Victor, No Vanquished” — only a renewed vision to elevate the cultural, educational, and economic aspirations of the Ijesa people. He also intends to develop a mechanized farm with the cultivation of rice and other food crops.
Oba Adekunle Aromolaran II
Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II (13 October 1937 – 11 September 2024) was the 40th Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Osun State, Nigeria. His reign spanned 42 years, from 20 February 1982 until his passing in 2024, making him one of the longest-serving monarchs in Yoruba history. He was notable for being the first Nigerian traditional ruler to earn a Ph.D., distinguishing himself as a scholar-king .
Early Life and Education
Born into the royal Aromolaran family, Oba Aromolaran was the son of Oba Iluyomade Aromolaran I, who ruled Ijesaland from 1920 to 1942, and Princess Tinuola Aromolaran of Esa-Oke. He began his education at Otapete Methodist School in Ilesa and completed his primary schooling at Agbeni Methodist School in Ibadan. He attended Ilesa Grammar School and later Wesley College, Ibadan, for teacher training. His academic journey continued with studies in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics at Abeokuta Grammar School.
He earned a B.Sc. in Economics from the University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) in 1964. In 1965, he completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He furthered his education abroad, obtaining a Master’s degree in Mathematical Economics from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in Pittsburgh, USA, and later achieved a Ph.D. in Development Economics under the supervision of Prof. Samson Olayide at the University of Ibadan .
Reign as Owa Obokun
Ascending the throne on 20 February 1982, Oba Aromolaran’s 42-year reign was marked by significant contributions to education, culture, and traditional governance. He served as Chairman of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers and President of the Ijesa Traditional Council, overseeing twelve local governments in Ijesaland. He was also the consenting authority over all chieftaincy titles in the region .
Passing and Legacy
Oba Aromolaran passed away on 11 September 2024 at the age of 86, after a brief illness at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife. His death was officially announced the following day by the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Chief Yinka Fasuyi, who described him as “the pride of Yoruba traditional intellectualism” .
His passing marked the end of a monumental era for Ijesaland and the Yoruba nation, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual leadership, cultural preservation, and educational advancement.