Owa Of Idanre, who reportedly passed on at the age of 102, had in 2017 claimed he once died and woke up when he was about to be buried
By Kehinde Okeowo
An Ondo State monarch, the Owa of Idanre kingdom and paramount ruler of Idanre land, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Frederick Adegunle Aroloye, Arubiefin IV, has passed on at the age of 97.
His demise was confirmed on Wednesday by High Chief Christopher Oluwole Akindolire, the Lisa of Idanre land (traditional Prime Minister of Idanre).
According to him, necessary traditional rites are already being put in place at the palace.
Oba Aroloye, who is one of the longest serving Yoruba monarchs ascended the throne in September 1976, following the transition of his father, the 25th Owa, Oba Aladegbule Aroloye Arubiefin III.
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During an interview with PUNCH in 2017, the first class Ondo monarch claimed he once died and woke up when he was about to be buried.
Narrating the experience Oba Aroloye said, “According to my mother, when I was about six months old, I had stomach pain and died. She said she felt bad. She narrated that as I was about to be buried outside the palace, something struck her mind and she told those who wanted to bury me to wait for her. She said she went into the palace and brought one Sayan (traditional woven cloth) to wrap me up. So as she was about to wrap me with the cloth, I suddenly sneezed and woke up. Quickly, she gave me breast to suck. And since that time, I have not fallen ill. For over 80 years, I did not fall ill, even for one day, until few years ago.”
The Owa while alive, presided over an adminstrative structure that governed over 400 villages and settlements that comprise Idanre Kingdom.
