Historical Background Of Ibonwon
It is history that had made us to know that the founder of Ibonwon who hails from Mowo in Ijebu-Ode Ogun State of Nigeria was a hunter and a farmer. Soginna by name and a sojourner came to a place called OTARA on the outskirts of the present village Igboye. He was not allowed to settle there, so he moved out of the place to the west where he discovered the large expense of farmland in seventeenth [17th] century.
During his hunting expedition which he found interesting in the farmland, he [Soginna] ran short of gunpowder and lamentably exclaimed. IBON WON nibi, meaning gunpowder is a scare community here. IBON-WON-NIBI shortened IBONWON later became the name of the town. He went back to his original home Mowo, in Ijebu-Ode to replenish his stock of ammunition consisting of gunpowder and charms as he had made up his mind to settle for a long stretch in his new found farmland which was no man’s land at the time.
Soginna brought his family with him on this second sojourn to his IBONWON games reserves to settle for good and carve a kingdom for himself and his children. On the occasion of his second coming, he chose the hilly terrain of the farmland where he could overlook the immediate environs. This area is known till today as OKELETA which served as his first settlement in the town. Soginna’s choice of a virgin area for settlement brought perdition to his family in the Jungle except himself. In spite of this misfortune, he still prospered as a hunter and a charms man. His influence in the surrounding villages like Ilara, Igboye, Odo-Ayan, Odogbawojo, Odo-Siwola, Odo-Ragunsin, Eredo, Odoroga, Odo-Yangunshin and Odo-Ajogun, (Eleven Villages) simply called OKEMAGBA was such that he proposed to and secured the hands of princess Telade’s, daughter of Alara of Ilara in marriage. Through this matrimony Soginna’s offspring’s namely Sagbaijo, Lapenni (sons) and Lebe (daughter) could lay claims to Alara royalty. As Soginna family tree grew, he named the three major quarters in the village after his children, hence the Aledo named after Sagbenjo, Lapenni and Lebe quarters respectively.
Soginna encouraged his children to have their own gods in their respective quarters in the town. Sagbanjo erected his own god and named it ‘Oro’. Lapenni named his Esu and Lebe (the daughter) named hers OMOTEHINSE. The population of the town is approximately 10,000.
Economic Activities
Farming, trading and hunting
Economic Potentials
- Verse land for agricultural purposes
- Availability of Kolanut and rubber plantation
- Availability of soft and sharp sand that can be tapped
Ogegbo A. A. Adekoya Oduntan II is The Ogegbo of Ibonwon land
Here are lists of other towns in Ibonwon:
ODO-SIWOLA
Economic Activities
Farming, trading and hunting
Economic Potentials
Availability of land for industry and other purposes
Alhaji Kamarudeen Alowotowon (The Olotu Panpa of Odo-Siwola)
IGBONLA AND MAFO
Economic Activities
Farming, fishing and hunting
Economic Potentials
- Verse land for agriculture and other purposes
- Availability of sand and gravel
Baale and Community Leaders
Mr. Habeeb Sule (Baale Elect)
EREDO
Economic Activities
Farming and petty trading
Economic Potentials
Availability of land for housing estate and farm settlement
Chief Shanu is the Asiwaju of Eredo
ODO IRAGUNSHIN
Economic Activities
Farming, trading etc
Economic Potentials
- Availability of lands for industry and housing estate
HRM Oba Olawale Ogunsanya is the Oba of Odo Iragunshin
ODO AJOGUN
Economic Activities
Farming and trading
Economic Potentials
Vast land that is agriculturally viable
Chief Adeniyi Adenowo J.P (Baale of Odo Ajogun)
MOJODA/ODO GBAWOJO
Economic Activities
Farming and trading
Economic Potentials
Availability of land for farm settlement
Alhaji Mufutau Olarenwaju Ogunnukan is the Oba of Mojoda
Chief Omolaja Apena
POKA
Economic Activities
Farming, fishing and hunting
Economic Potentials
Verse land for agriculture and industry
HRM Oba Ayodele Aliru Kolawole
NOFORIJA
Economic Activities
Farming and trading
Economic Potentials
Availability of land for farming
Alhaji S. A Sanusi (Baale of Odogbonle Noforija)
IMOKUN
Economic Activities
Farming, Trading
Chief Tola Alaketu (Baale)
ARAGA
Economic Activities
Farming and trading of far m produce
Economic Potentials
- Availability of large mechanised farm settlement and estate i.e. Agric Yes
- Availability of verse untapped land for agricultural purposes at Araga farm settlement
ODOMOLA
Economic Activities
Farming, Hunting and trading
Economic Potentials
- Availability of vast land for industrial estate
- Availability of rubber plantation at Kula Nla Odo-Mola
HRM Oba S. T. A. Odukoya (Oba O Odomola)
ODO EGIRI
Economic Activities
Farming, hunting and trading
Economic Potentials
Availability of land for industry and other purposes
Chief Lapekan (Baale of Odo-Egiri)
JEGBENDE
Economic Activities
Farming and fishing
Economic Potentials
Water body for fishing
IRAYE
Economic Activities
Farming, hunting and fishing
Economic Potentials
- Availability of land for industry and other purpose
KETU
Economic Activities
Farming, Livestock rearing and trading of farm produce.
Economic Potentials
Availability of land for farm settlements and industrialisation
History background of Ilara
The ancient town of Ilara was founded in 14th Century. The first man to settle at Ilara was Tunse, later Sabolujo arrived and they both agreed to live where each of them settled, both of them settled at present day Ilara. And their power is called Moloku where both of them have a say till today. They also have their ruler as Ekejilu who controlled the Ilara community before the arrival of Alara. There was a Prince at Ile-Ife called Adejuwon who left Ile-Ife to look for fame and glory. As he left Ile-Ife, he settled at many places such as Etemi, Alara Oke and Epe where he gave birth to four children. He later left Epe with members of his entourage and came to “Mesude” where he settled for some times. While he was there, the people of Ibonwon met him and embraced him, the people of Igboye also met him and they went home to tell Orijeru founder of Igboye that Adejuwon was a strong man who does not hear the crying of little baby, but as Adejuwon and his people were very closed to Ilara, the people Of Ilara visited him constantly until they invited him one day to come to Ilara and he left with his people e.g. Ogbeni Odi – the officer in charge of his dressing and also consult Ifa oracle when the need arise, also he have Olisa and Aduren who was the Alara guardian, till today Aduren house is at Ilara.
When Alara (Adejuwon) got to Ilara, he went to see the people of Ilara at Ile Osi at Aledo Ilara where they welcomed him and later directed to settle at Odi Ilara here the first Palace was built. Majority of the people who settled in Odi Oba quarters till today are the people who came with Alara, where the first settlers settled is called Aledo and in another school of thought, there is another quarters at Ilara called Aleke where the people who came from “Egbe” settled.
As Alara settled in Ilara the people of Ilara accepted him and he became the traditional ruler of Ilara. The present Alara of Ilara is from Adejuwon ruling house and is the 54th Alara to rule at Ilara. The Alara of Ilara is a First class Oba in Lagos State and is the Chairman of Epe Local Government chieftaincy committee and the permanent Vice Chairman of councils of Obas and Chiefs in the state. In the year 2010, the present Alara Oba A.A. Adesanya celebrated 50 years anniversary on the throne.
Economic Activities
Farming, petty trading and little of hunting are their major economic activities.
HRM Oba A. O Adesanya is The Alara of Ilara
Here are other towns in Ilara
ODO IYANGUNSHIN
Economic Activities
Farming, hunting and trading of farm produce
Economic Potentials
There is availability of land for industrialization.
IJI
Economic Activities
Farming, trading of farm produce, hunting and fishing
Economic Potentials
- Availability of water front for tourism
- Availability of sharp and soft sand
- Vast land for agricultural and other purposes
IGBOYE
Economic Activities
Farming, fishing and trading
Economic Potentials
- Availability of farm settlement
- Availability of land for industry
HRM Oba M.O Onakoya is The Orijeru of Igboye
