By Eric Elezuo

The busy town of Oke-Ila, Orangun in Osun State, came much more alive as the remains of Mama Mary Ibiteye Abolarin, the mother of the paramount ruler of the town, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, made her final journey to her final resting place.

With an array of dignitaries and community leaders in attendance, the event turned into another carnival of some sort.

The obsequious moments reached an elaborate crescendo on January 29, when a service of songs was held at Obasolo’s Compound with ministers from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Oke-Ila, Orangun, supervising proceedings.

The night featured tributes, eulogies and encomiums from children, well wishers and friends of the deceased, who passed away at the riped age of 92 as well as Bible readings and recitations. It was capped with a short sermon by the officiating minister before members of Mama’s family were prayed for.

The following day featured an elaborate Christian funeral service at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, before a mother of all reception was held in her honour, following the interment.

The frontline traditional ruler and philanthropist, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Osun State, Oba Dr Adedokun AAbolarin did not spare any expense to give his mother a well deserved burial, gathering the men and women of timbre and calibre, movers and shakers of Osun politics and traditional rulers across Yorubaland.

Among the dignitaries were Chief Dele Momodu, Senator Fadeyi Ajagunla and a host of other

The Matriarch of the Abolarin Family, whose death in November 2024 was confirmed by Oba Abolurin, died peacefully in her sleep.

“Mummy died the way she predicted almost 25 years ago.

“No major illness! Routinely, a medical doctor saw her a day preceding her death and certified her okay for her age, she slept later in the night and didn’t wake up.

“She died at her appointed time with her Maker.

“A radiant soul, a loving heart, Mama’s sojourn on earth was a life well-lived with legacies to impart. Her 92 years on earth were truly a blessing filled with industry, patience, and love shining through.

“With unwavering devotion, my mummy served the Lord, she was a faithful servant, with a heart forever adored. Her candour was refreshing, her spirit bold, and woman of principle, never to grow cold. Mummy, you were not just diplomatic, not like us, Igbomina, Oyo, Ibadan!!”

According to him, Mama showed kindness to family and friends, leaving behind fond memories that will forever be shared.

The late Mama Abolurin, Nee Olayomi, who hailed from Ile Aro Owa, Ipoti-Ekiti, was born on October 26, 1932 and transited on Thursday November 21, 2024.

She started life as a teacher and later engaged in trading from 1960.

She was blessed with wonderful children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her first child, Elder Oladapo Abolarin, an Environmentalist and one-time Director of Forestry in Osun State, pre-deceased her in 2014, leaving behind the immediate brother, Alayeluwa Oba Dr Adedokun Abolarin and four siblings.

The monarch is followed by Mrs Omolayo Bamiduro, a retired Nurse, Abimbola Farinola, a school teacher and Bamidele Durotade Abolarin, an Ibadan based, Legal practitioner.

THE MAN, OBA ADEDOKUN ABOLARIN 

A man of the people, with many glorious caps, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Òràngún of Òkè-Ìlá in Osun State, who in the recent past, was honoured with  the degree of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) of the prestigious Leeds City University, Ibadan Oyo State, is more than just a traditional ruler.

A letter of award, signed by the School’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mrs. Oyebola Ayeni, places Oba Aboderin on a high pedestal in humanity, staing that his “immeasurable support and selfless service to the University since inception, your credentials as a worthy role model to the our students and academic community, your solid credentials in grassroots and urban development and your excellent example of royalty worthy of emulation; not forgetting your philanthropic gestures by way of sponsorship of many indigent students in your community to be educated and lifting your subjects out of poverty with your varied development efforts.”

It is worthy of note that the award of honorary degrees of Lead City University is specially given to people of exceptional merit and character. Consequently, the Oba is eminently qualified to be so honoured. The award was presented to Oba Abolarin during the University’s 12th Convocation ceremony on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at the school premises.

Born on September 24, 1958, the Òràngún of Òkè-Ìlá, in Ifedayo Local Government area of Osun State, Oba Adedokun Abolarin hails from the Obasolo Ruling House, one of the three ruling houses among which the title rotates in Òkè-Ìlá.

Oba Adedokun Abolarin, who was installed on December 8, 2006 is reputed as a well educated professional, versed in law. He attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (formerly University of Ife) where he merited a Bachelors of Law degree, a Master’s Degree in International Relations, as well as B.Sc degree in Political Science. At installation, Oba Abolarin chose the title, Aroyinkeye I, which is translated as “one who finds honey to tend the title.”

Until his installation 2006, the Òràngún of Òkè-Ìlá was a licensed law practitioner with the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He was also the Principal Partner of Dokun Abolarin & Co., a firm of Solicitors and Legal Consultants, which had served as Company Secretary to various corporations among whom are Tell Publications (Publishers of Tell Magazine), Pacific Holdings, Peachtree Communications Ltd, Sportsmark International and Springtime Development Foundation.

A well tutored academic on Nigerian government and politics, the royal father has a wealth of researched and flawlessly written books covering the period 1914 amalgamation to the present. In his writings, he evaluated component elements of federal, regional/state, and local government administration, analyzed Nigerian foreign policy, political parties and pressure groups.

A kind husband to his wives, dedicated father to his biological children and subjects, Oba Aboderin has left nothing to chance in his quest to see that the best happens to his community, bringing his knowledge and experience in life affairs to bear. As a result, his developmental strides have generated thrills and excitement among his people both at home and in the Diaspora as well as those who have cross his path.

An educationist to the core, Oba Abolarin is the Founder of Abolarin College, Oke-Ila-Orangun, Osun State. In his assessment, the school was set up to fight poverty through education and strictly for indigent students of Nigeria. The school has not fallen short in achieving the lofty ideal.

Oba Aboderin is married to many wives and is blessed by a good number of children.

ABOUT OKE-ILA, ORANGUN

The royal father rules over Òkè-Ìlá Òràngún, a mostly agrarian town of about 35, 000 persons according to the 2005 population census. The people of Òkè-Ìlá Òràngún kingdom speak a distinctive dialect of the Yoruba language called Igbomina (or Ogbonna). Apart from agrarian occupation, the town has a significant number of artisans, traders, hunters of wild game, school-teachers and other worthy professionals.

Òkè-Ìlá Òràngún is famous for the energetic dancing and acrobatic skills of its Elewe, the region’s primary Egungun, a dancing masquerade ensemble representing the ancestors during various traditional festivals. The Egungun Elewe is unique to the Igbomina Yoruba sub-group. There are other less popular but unique and peculiar Egungun in the kingdom.

May Mama’s soul rest in perfect peace!