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Omo Obanta

IJEBU-ODE HISTORY IN BRIEF

Ijebu-ode is located in Ogun State, southwestern part of Nigeria. As one of Nigeria’s most ancient cities, it was historically the capital of Ijebu Kingdom. Thus, the Ijebu-Ode inhabitants were referred to as the “Super Ijebus” in those days. “The Kingdom, at its height, stretched South-Westward to the confines of Lagos, and Eastward across the River Sasa to the Oni. On the West, it bordered the country of the Egbas; on the North the Oyos; on the North- West the Ifes; and on the East the Ondos” (Badejo).

Ijebu-Ode is the second most populous town in Ogun State and the headquarters of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area. Not only that Ijebu-Ode has a sizable share of educational and health establishments in the state, it is the home of some of the oldest educational institutions established in the country (The Our Savior Primary School, Italowajoda, 1893, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, 1913). Notable tertiary institutions such as Tai Solarin University of Education (formerly Tai Solarin College of Education), Ijagun and Olabisi Onabanjo University (formerlyOgun State University), Ago-Iwoye are in close proximity to the town.

Ijebu-Ode was claimed to have been founded through series of migrations from Ife, notably by Olu-Iwa and later by his grandson, Ogboroganda popularly known as “Obanta” (Ayandele). Other oral history traced the migration of Ijebus to Waddai, a place in the Middle East.

Before and to a lesser extent during the colonial era, Ijebu-Ode was administered through the use of a native laws and customs. The supreme ruler of Ijebu-Ode was the Awujale of Ijebu-land. Although Awujale was the supreme ruler, he often relied on the advice and political ingenuity of the Olorituns, Regberegbes and other Chiefs to govern the town. During those days, Awujale was powerful enough that other Kings from all over Ijebu-land were required to pay homage to the Awujale.

Although the incursion of the British to Ijebu-Kingdom in 1892, after the notorious Anglo-Igebu war (popularly known as the Imagbon War) has robbed the Kingdom of its sovereignty, and left a truncated version of the old kingdom, Ijebu-Ode has never had to relocate as a result of ups and downs of the war like Oyo and other ancient towns in Yorubaland. In fact, this is a testimonial to the reason why Ijebu-Ode is able to maintain most of its culture and customs, up to the present days such as Alagemos, Oro, Olobinrin-Ojowu, etc.

The term “Ijebu-Ode” as it is presently used, sometimes loosely represents the traditional town of Ijebu-Ode and conglomerates of smaller towns, and villages in the vicinity and periphery of Ijebu-Ode. Such towns include, but not limited to Ala, Owu, Igbile, Ilese, Isonyin, Atiba, Jobore, Imodi-Mosan, Okun-Owa, Odogbolu, Omu, Itele, Ososa, Imushin, ImOru, Ijebu-Ife, Odoyanta, Odorangunse, Ogbogbo, Odolewu, Idomila, etc.

The Awujale’s stool is currently occupied by His Royal Highness Oba Alhaji (Dr.) Sikiru Olukayode Adetona Ogbagba II, CFR, LL.D, DCL, and JP. He has occupied the throne for the past 43 years. The Ijebu-Ode sons and daughters are noted for their political savvy, industry and academic achievements. Notably among the sons and daughters of Ijebu-Ode was the first civilian governor of Ogun Statem late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, an ace industrialist and educationalist, late Chief Adeola Odutola, Business Magnates, late Chief Okunowo, Alhaji Jimoh Odutola, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Chief Bayo Kuku, Olorogun Sonny Kuku, and Professor Adebayo Adedeji.

The present day Ijebu-Ode has witnessed significant growth including the ultra-modern library at Itoro, state of the art national Pediatric Centre, and African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies.  However, there are much more to be done.

Omo Obanta Asssociation of Ijebu-Ode is constituted to contribute to the development of Ijebu-Ode and its surrounding communities. Every son, daughter, and spouse of Ijebu-Ode and neighboring communities is welcomed and invited to join.