Ilesa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ilesa is a city located in west of Nigeria; it is also the name of a historic state (also known as Ijesa) centered around that city. The state was ruled by a monarch bearing the title of Owa Obokun adimula of Ijesaland. The state of Ilesa consisted of Ilesa itself and a number of smaller surrounding cities.
The Ijesa, a term also denoting the people of the state of Ilesa, are part of the present Osun State of Nigeria. Some of the popular towns of the Ijesa are Ibokun, Erin Ijesa, Ipetu Jesa, Ijebu Jesa, Esa Oke, Ipole, Ifewara, Iwara, Erinmo, Iwaraja, Idominasi, Ilase, Igangan, Imo and many others.
The Ijesa are very good in commerce and have cut a niche for themselves as the architect of 'osomalo' business which is a popular trading method that allows customers to pay for goods installmentally.
Ilesa is home to the famous and prestigious Ilesa Grammar School, a school founded by Egbe Atunluse Ilesa and alma mater to many Nigerians including a former Chief Justice of the Federation, Alfa Belgore, a former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and the former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof Oye Ibidapo Obe.
[edit] The Ijesa Monarchs
The state of Ilesa was founded c. 1500. Its rulers have been as follows.
| Bilagbayo | ... - 17.. |
| Ori Abejoye | 17.. - ... |
| Bilajagodo "Arijelesin" | ... - ... |
| Bilatutu "Otutu bi Osin" | ... - ... |
| Bilasa "Asa abodofunfun" | ... - ... |
| Akesan | c.1800 |
| Bilajara | 1... - 1807 |
| Ogbagba | 1807 - 1813 |
| Obara "Bilajila" | 1813 - 1828 |
| Odundun | 1828 - 1833 |
| Gbegbaaje | 1833 - 1839 |
| Ariyasunle (1st time) -Regent | 1839 |
| Ofokutu | 1839 - 1853 |
| Ariyasunle (2nd time) -Regent | 1853 |
| Ponlose | 1853 - 1867 |
| Alobe | 1867 - 1869 |
| 4 Jun 1870 Agunlejika I | 1869 - |
| 1871 Vacant | 4 Jun 1870 - |
| Oweweniye (1st time) | 1871 - 1873 |
| Vacant | 1873 |
| Oweweniye (2nd time) | 1873 - 1875 |
| Sep 1892 Adimula Agunloye-bi-Oyinbo "Bepolonun" | 1875 - |
| Lowolodu | Mar 1893 - Nov 1894 |
| Vacant | Nov 1894 - Apr 1896 |
| Ajimoko I | Apr 1896 - Sep 1901 |
| Ataiyero | 1901 - 1920 |
| Aromolaran | 1920 - 1942 |
| Ajimoko "Haastrup" -Regent | 1942 - 10 Sep 1942 |
| Ajimoko II "Fidipote" | 10 Sep 1942 - 18 Oct 1956 |
| J. E. Awodiya -Regent | 18 Oct 1956 - 1957 |
| Biladu III "Fiwajoye" | 1957 - Jul 1963 |
| .... -Regent | Jul 1963 - 1966 |
| Agunlejika II | 1966 - 1981 |
| Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II | 1982? - |
