The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party( NNPP), Barrister Gbenga Edema, has mourned the death of Owa of Idanre in Ondo State, Oba Frederick Adegunle Aroloye who died at age of 102 on Wednesday.
Edema , in a statement on Wednesday in Akure by his spokesman, Hon. Oluwatosin Ayeni, said that the traditional had lived a life of positive impacts to humanity.
“In a heart-wrenching development, the governorship candidate of the NNPP, Hon. Gbenga Edema, along with his deputy, Dr Rotimi Adeyemi, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of His Imperial Majesty Oba Frederick Adegunle Aroloye, lArubiefin IV, the Owa of Idanre Kingdom.
“The paramount ruler of Idanre land breathed his last in the early hours of today, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication to his people,” he said.
He extolled the reign of the late monarch which started in 1976, saying that it had championed the rights of people of Idanre.
“Throughout his reign, he championed the rights of his people and stood by them in their time of need.
“ Most notably, he fiercely defended the community’s cocoa plantation at Omi-funfun and Ofosu communities when they were threatened by an ill-conceived development project.
“Described as the father of modern Idanre kingdom, the Owa of Idanre brought numerous developmental projects to his domain.
“Among his achievements were the establishment of the General Hospital Alade-Idanre and the creation of several secondary schools, which have had a lasting impact on the community,” he stated.
The governorship candidate in the forthcoming Nov. 16 poll described Oba Aroloye as a traditional ruler with reign of distinction having being the longest-reigning traditional ruler in South-West.
Edema explained that the death of Oba Aroloye marked a profound loss for Idanre and beyond, saying that his death would be keenly felt by all who knew and respected him.
“Hon. Gbenga Edema and Barr. Rotimi Adeyemi extend their heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the people of Idanre, the Ondo State government, and the entire nation on this significant loss.
“They join in mourning the departure of a beloved leader and pledge to honor his memory through continued service and dedication to the community,” Edema said.