THE SWEETEST OF DODO IKIRE: THE PRIDE OF IKIRE-OSUN STATE

Prince Akinere, a renowned elephant hunter from Ile-Ife , founded the Ikire Township. Prince Akinrere was said to have sought the permission of his father Ewuwemi, the Ooni of Ife, to undertake an adventure for establishing his own town that he would reign as Oba.

As it was the custom in those days, Ifa Oracle had to be consulted before important decision could be taken. In view of the pronouncement of the Ifa Oracle, Prince Akinrere was directed to worship Osakire, one of the most important deities in Ile Ife before commencing the adventure. The Prince was a favorite of his father Oòni because of his bravery and devotion to the worship of Osakire, which he later adopted upon founding his own town. While leaving Ile-Ife, Ooni Ewuwemi gave an all white-beaded Crown (Adé Séséefun) to his son with an instruction that he should not wear it until he succeeded in establishing his own town and raised a shrine for Osakire. Onifade of imota land was attend with us upper last week, his is Akinyemi ifaunde ojeniyi. alias Arole Eegun imota

Prince Akinrere later settled at a location now called Oko Adesile, a few kilometers off old Ibadan - Ife road. At that time, the place was called Odi Ayan-Nnagi. Ayan-Nnagi, “Idaro Omo_Oba Nla” was Prince Akinrere’s pet name given to him by the admirers of his military prowess and ruggedness. Olaberinjo took after his father Akinrere as a wonderful archer who had earned the reputation of killing elephant from a very tender age. Olaberinjo distinguished himself within a short time as a great hunter and later got married. His father Akinrere died as his wife gave birth to a baby boy who was later named Kujemilayo meaning literally: DEATH DEPRIVED ME OF JOY. 

Much as he would have rejoiced over the birth of his first son, the death of his father ironically made it almost impossible, lamented Olaberinjo. Kuje, his son, also grew up to inherit the family’s profession of elephant hunting. At a later stage, things were becoming increasing difficult for the inhabitants of Odi-

Ayan Nnagi due to acute shortage of water. Olaberinjo already ageing, instructed his son, Kuje to intensify his search for water (this later led him to the bank of River Osun) and that he should also not forget to carry along with him the deity of his father as well as the white beaded crown brought from Ile-ife to enable him establish firmly as a direct crown Prince from Ile-Ife wherever he might choose to settle. Kuje had many children with whom he moved to the bank of River Osun otherwise known as Ikire-Omi, that is “Ikire by the water side” while Osakire was located at Moosa, both within the vicinity of the present-day Ikire.

 Principal among Kuye’s children are Disamu, Oladekan, Olanbeloye, Onsokan and Akintula - Most of the past Akire’s were descendants of these Kuje’s children. Shortly after settling at Ikire-Omi, Kuje fell sick and died. His children faced yet another problem, this time not that of a drought, which drove them to their present site, but paradoxically, floods, as Osun River was incessantly overflowing its banks, thereby destroying their camps and other valuables.

This terrible situation set them off on a journey in search of a permanent flood and drought free settlement, which led them to the present site of Ikire over four centuries ago. Akire, which is the official title of the ruler of IKIRE, is a contraction of Akinrere; the founder of IKIRE while the town itself derived its name from Osakire, which is the Chief Deity of Ikire.

The old Irewole Local Government with its headquarters in Ikire was created in 1976 following the Local Government Reform of that year. In 1989 and 1996 the present Ayedade Local Government and Isokan Local Government areas respectively were carved out of the old Irewole area. With this development the present Irewole Local Government is made of people of Ikire who share common ancestry. Local Government Area in the South and Ayedire Local Government in the North. Irewole Local Government shares common boundaries with Ayedaade Local Government Area in the East, Ife-North Local Government area in the South East, Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State in the West, Isokan Irewole Local Government is situated in the South Western part of Osun State with altitudes of between 121.92 meters and 298.704 meters above the sea level.

Its landmass is about 978.67m2 with over 300 villages and hamlets. It lies in the rainforest belt of the country. Going by the provisional figure for the headcount of 1991,Irewole Local Government has an estimated population of 77,884. With the active participation of the people in the 2006 Census the population of the area will definitely record an increase.

However, Dodo Ikire is a traditional delicacy from Ikire in South-western Nigeria. It was originally made from leftover plantain but today, people prepare it from fresh ingredients which are: over-ripe plantains, pepper, oil and salt. Dodo Ikire is black and round or conical in shape. Plantain or cooking banana , which has been peeled, sliced and deep fried is called Dodo in some parts of Nigeria.

Oriki Ikire

Ewú ni wínrin,

Ọmọ àdalè gbin'ewùrà,

Ọmọ àdalè gbin isu Ìgángán,

Ọmọ ewú filè hàn mí,

Ọmọ ewú fònà hàn mí,

Ọmọ ewú kí kòjé fabuja ilé Ìkirè han ni,

Ọmọ àkànkù ilé,

Ọmọ àkànkù ọ̀nà èjìgbò,

Ọkan ókù oloku kò sin,

Ọmọ asákú mawo, marooyin,

Ọmọ àkànkù mawo maroyin

Ọmọ gbinrin ni yeye aro,

Ọmọ olóríṣà kò jẹ́kan,

Èyí taa mú ohun méjì sebo lọ́jọ́ gbogbo

ọmọ onígbó rúrú tí àjòjì ò́ gbọdò wò,

àjòjì kàjòjì tó bá wobè yio dẹni ẹbọ,

àjòjì wéré-wéré ọ̀nà Ìkirè,

èyí tí pani sí ju eji lọ....

Èyin ọmọ Ìkirè owó yín dá

Kí Èdùmàrè tún Ìkirè ṣe.

Kí ìpínlè Òsun má dàrú..

In conclusion, The town lies along the road from Ibadan to Ile-Ife. A collecting point for local cash crops (cacao, palm oil and kernels), it also serves as a trade centre for yams, corn (maize), cassava (manioc), palm produce, cotton, and kola nuts. Cotton weaving is a traditional industry of its Yoruba inhabitants. Pop. (2008 est.) 153,585.

Akire, is the official title of the ruler of IKIRE, the town headed by a king called AKIRE of IKIRE Land, Oba Olatunde Falabi ORISATOLA 111

*Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikire*

©OLAMIDE AKINWUMI JAMES, A student Journalist from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. He is the Sports Editor of ECHO MEDIA NEWSPAPER (an campus newspaper, longest and only surviving in AAUA); CEO of Sky Media Consultant, A trainee Reporter at Radio AAUA 90 3FM, A freelance writer, An Activist; He can be reached via Akinwumiolamide09@gmail.com, 09068215955.