HIS Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr). Fredrick Adegunle Aroloye Arubiefin IV, OFR, the 26th Owa and paramount ruler of all Idanre land joined his ancestors on July 30, 2024 having reigned for 47 years following his installment in September 1976 after the transition of his father, the 25th Owa, Oba Aladegbule Arubefin III. Oba Aroloye was not just born into royalty but lived a royal life and arguably being one of the earlier crops of educated Nigerians to become a traditional ruler in the country.

HE  started his education at St Paul’s Primary School at Oke Idanre but completed it at Odode, where he attended both St Paul’s and Methodist Primary Schools, Idale. For his Secondary School education he began at the Western Boys High School in Benin City and completed it at Hussey College, Warri. After a short stint as a Clerical Assistant in the Federal Ministry of Works, he proceeded to London to study Public Administration at the old Belham and Tooting College of Commerce and Law. Upon the completion of his studies, he worked in the London City Council for several years before returning to Nigeria in 1969.The then Prince Adegunle was employed by the defunct Western Region Government where he worked in several cities such as Ado-Ekiti, Abeokuta, Ilesa and Saki among others till he was appointed Owa of Idanreland in September 1976.

HOWEVER, even though the highly consummate passionate and humane Oba Frederick Aroloye was nominated to succeed his father by his family, he  did not find it easy to be immediately enthroned because of very stiff opposition and protracted crisis that lasted between 1969 and 1976 before he was installed as the 26th Oba of Idanre Kingdom. Undaunted by the protracted crisis, the new Oba eschewed revenge but instead sought for unity, peace and reconciliation of all his people. Thus, one of the immediate and impeccable outstanding achievements of the late monarch was restoration of peace, order, unity and harmony to Idanre that have been seriously polarized by Western region political crisis of the first Republic. 

DESPITE the fact that the transited Oba was violently,  vehemently and vexatiously opposed by a section of his community in a struggle that spanned seven years, the humanity or humanistic disposition of the very revered monarch played out during his long reign that ultimately endeared him to all and sundry. The love of the people for him was aptly demonstrated during the 45thanniversary celebration of his enthronement in December 2021. The Oba will be remembered as one that used his God given wealth and endowment to enrich, promote and develop his native town and humanity at large. As a lover of education, he ensured sporadic growth in number of secondary schools in the town from one to as many as 10.

THE struggle of the kingdom to have a state hospital came to fruition during his reign, the kingdom expanded tremendously with several businesses flourishing against the past trend of successful people emigrating from the town. He was one Oba that refused severally to compromise the common interest of his people for personal interest. He demonstrated this succinctly on many occasions including his rejection of forceful take over  of the peoples land by expatriates for plantation among others. He was a friend to all his subjects and attended to their needs and functions at all times without discrimination.

THE Oba was known to have dispensed justice fairly among his people without fear or  favour. No wonder the Federal Government recognised his contribution and conferred on him Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). Some universities also conferred on him honorary doctorates. In addition, Oba Adegunle Aroloye brought many innovations and unprecedented development to Idanre Kingdom.He democratised royalty by elevating four community Chiefs, previously known as Olu, to the status of Oba namely:  Oba Alade, Oba Atosin, Oba Ofosu, and Oba Abababubu, while new Olus were installed in newly emerging communities, a trend that is now common in many Yoruba kingdoms.

OBA Aroloye served as the Chairman of Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers on three different occasions (including when Ondo and Ekiti were one and the same state). In this capacity, he represented the larger Ondo State in the defunct National Council of States. He was also former President of Idanre/Ifedore Local Government Council of Obas and President of Idanre Local Government Council of Obas and Chairman of Chieftaincy Committee. He was member and patrons of several organisations including Ondo State Councils of Chiefs, Ondo Elders’ Consultative Committee, Council of States, Red Cross, Rotary Club, Lions Club among others.

THROUGH patience and commitment to peace and display of love to his people,Oba Aroloye made significant undeniable feasible impacts on the life of his people and humanity in general. He was one king that was highly equipped and prepared for royalty and did not fail in impacting humanity and thus The Hope joins millions of Nigerians to celebrate the accomplished royal father. May his soul rest in peace.