BRIEF HISTORY AND AMAZING FACTS ABOUT IJEBU PEOPLE
Source: Gossip House
The name “Ijebu-Ode”, according to history, is a combination of the names of two persons namely, AJEBU and OLODE who were conspicuous as leaders of the original settlers and founders of the town. OLODE, was said to be a relative of OLU-IWA, the first Ruler of Ijebu. It is difficult to say for certain which of them {AJEBU and OLODE} preceded the other, but tradition has it that Ajebu, Olode and Ajana met on this land, which was uninhabited dense forest. They consulted Ifa Oracle to determine the actual spot on which each one should make his place of abode.. The Oracle directed that Ajebu should go and settle on a spot now known as IMEPE.
OLODE and AJANA to remain together at a place known today as ITA AJANA.The grave of Ajebu is still marked by a tomb erected by his descendants at Imepe, near Oyingbo market on the Ejinrin Road. Olode's grave is also marked at Olode Street at Ita Ajana Quarter, Ijebu-Ode. The two persons more conspicuous among the original settlers being AJEBU and OLODE.The town derived its name from their names, hence "IJEBU-ODE."
Ijebu-Ode town was divided into two main wards namely, Iwade and Porogun. Iwade was divided into two -- Iwade Oke (also called Ijasi) and Iwade Isale; that is, Upper and Lower Iwade (North and South). By this division, there are three wards in Ijebu-Ode town.That was why the town was spoken of as "Iwade - Porogun, ljasi, Keta" unto this day: Iwade oke, lwade Isale and Porogun. Each . Ward was divided into QUARTERS known as "Ituns.” Iwade Oke has four quarters (Ituns); Iwade Isale has thirteen Ouarters (Ituns) and Porogun has eight Quarters (Ituns), making a total of twenty-five (25) Quarters.
Each Quarter had its own Quarter Head, who was known as 'Oloritun" - the head man of the Quarter. All of them combined were spoken of, or referred to, as the 'Oloritun Medogbon" (twenty-five Olorituns-- Quarter Heads) and they constituted the ancient and traditional IJEBU-ODE TOWN COUNCIL.
Each Quarter Head represents and expresses the views of the people of his Quarter with whom he holds regular meetings to discuss matters affecting general public interest. The meetings also serve as tribunals in settling minor civil matters.
The traditional twenty-five Quarters of I Ijebu-ode are:
IWADE OKE
Ljasi, Ita Ntebo, Odo Egbo, Ita Afin
IWADE ISALE
Idomowo, Lyanro, Idele, Ijada, Ipamuren, Ikanigbo, lsoku, Odo Esa, jAgunsebi, Imupa, Ita Ajana
POROGUN
Idewon, Mobayegun, Mobegelu, Ltalapo, ldogi, Isasa, Idomowo, Muja, Ojofa
TRADITIONAL RULERS IN IJEBU-ODE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT
* The Orimolusi of Ijebu-Ode
* The Ebunmawe of Ago-Iwoye
* The Limeri of Awa
* The Alaporu of Ilaporu
* The Oloru of Oru-Ijebu
* The Sopenlukale of Oke Sopen
* The Bejeroku of Oke-Agbo
* The Olokine of Ojowo
* The Keegbo of Atikori
* The Abija Parako of Japara
FEW INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT IJEBU PEOPLE
1. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first individual in the modern era to be named Leader of the Yorubas (Asiwaju Omo Oodua)
2. The richest black woman in the world, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, is an Ijebu woman from Ikorodu, Lagos (waterside Ijebu).
3. Ijebu man was the first Nigerian to play in the English premier league in the early 60s.
4. Ijebu people are famous for Egungun, Agemo, jigbo, Ileya festivals etc.
5. The first people to invent money made from cowry shells, later made Coins called “PANDORO”, which became acceptable through Africa and Europe.
6. Mike Adenuga, an Ijebu man from Ijebu-Igbo, was the first Nigerian to single-handedly own Oil, Mining and Telecommunication (GLO).
7. Ijebu man, late Haruna Ishola, was the first musician to perform outside the shores of Nigeria.
8. Ijebu men, Chief S. O. Shonibare & Chief Shakirudeen Olarewaju Kazeem (Shokas) were the first Nigerians to own private individual housing estates (called Shonibare estate in Lagos. And Shokas Estate/Bobagunwa Castle) of about 40 mansions in Ijebu-Igbo.
9. Ijebu has produced so many musical icons like Haruna Ishola (Ijebu-Igbo), Y.K. Ajadi (Ijebu-Igbo), Popular Jingo (Ijebu-Igbo), Batuli Alake (Ijebu-Igbo), Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1 (Ijebu-Ode), Adewale Ayuba (Ikenne), Musiliu Haruna Ishola (Ijebu-Igbo), Kolade Onanuga (Ijebu-Ode), Salawa Abeni (Ijebu-Ode), Wale Thomson (Ijebu-Igbo), etc.
10. The first black man to publish an indigenous Bible with dictionary and concordance was an Ijebu man (Rev. Dr Basil Kayode Balogun ) from Ijebu-Igbo.
11. The Doyen of Theatre, Late Chief Hubert Adedeji Ogunde, was an Ijebu man from Ososa.
12. Ijebu nation has more than 15 tertiary institutions which include OSU/OOU, TASUED, Babcock, Hallmark, South-West, Kinston (Universities), Grace, AAP, Gaposa, Oscotech, Pogil (Polytechnics), Tasce (College of Education), etc.
13. Do you know that Ijebu land (Ijagun) hosts the 1st university of education in Nigeria?
14. Do you know that Ijebu nation share one-third of entire Lagos state starting from Ikorodu to Ketu, Somolu, Palmgrove, Oshodi, Yaba, Epe, Ikeja, etc.?
15. Also, do you know that the Itshekiris (Delta state of Nigeria) are Ijebus?
16. Ijebu is the only tribe in Nigeria that has its origin from the Biblical days.
17. According to the Biblical account; the Jebusites were a Canaanite tribe who inhabited and built Jerusalem before its conquest by King David.
18. Ijebu was the first indigenous Clerk to the European Missionaries.
What a great Nation!
* The Regional capital is Ijebu Ode!!
* The Commercial capital is Sagamu!!!
* The Spiritual capital is Ijebu Igbo!!!!
Lastly, The Paramount ruler & Awujale of Ijebu land is the longest-reigning traditional ruler in the history of Nigeria—-62 years…(and still counting)?
Brought To By: Comr. Olamide Akinwumi James.
09068215955
Akinwumiolamide09@gmail.com
