Idoani is a quiet small town in Ondo State of Nigeria where the Federal Government College, Idoani, is located. It is the seat of the Idoani Confederacy, a Nigerian traditional state.
Idoani is under the Ose local government. The people of Idoani whose major occupation used to be farming, are peace loving. The people speak about three different languages, some of these languages are different from the major Yoruba language of the south-western Nigeria. Quite a number of people still ride bicycles to farm which is a growing culture in the western world today. Idoani comprises six major quarters of Owani,Amusigbo, Iyayu and three others. Amusigbo and Iyayu are not separated with any walls or boundaries. The difference between the six quarters is noticeable in the difference between Iyayu language and that of other five quarters. Iyayu language has been described as non-Yoruba, while others' have all Yoruba linguistic affinity. As a matter of historical fact, the Iyayus, Amusigbos, Owanis and the rest have different historical background.
Today there are many Idoani sons and daughters in different walks of life both at home and abroad; some of these are Olorunfemi Ogunleye-Jacobs, acclaimed to be among the first people to put on a tie in Idoani , when he was a secretary in the local government; Professor 'Banji Aje (Professor of French Language),late Chief Salaja D.K.Oshati(Magistrate),late Chief Obe Richard A.Akinyemi SAN(defense lawyer),Chief Robert A. Agbayewa -founder Lagos College of Academy, Ogunleye M. Biodun - Administrator of a construction company and late Mr.Akinyemi Stephen Aro - Business Tycoon(Retailing,Banking & Petroleum -first to own a gas station in the district). Late Chief Odofin - Bello (western Region of Nigeria,first Police Commissioner), Major-General O. Olutoye (Rtd.)- former Sports Minister for the Nigerian Government and Dr.Oluwafemi M. Agbayewa a clinical professor in Canada also formal Chairman of Canadian Association Psychiatrist.
The history of Idoani can not be complete without the mention of the late Basorun (Dr.) Samuel Oyewole Asabia who was the first indigenous managing director of First Bank of Nigeria, a man who was chosen as the number one banker for many years in Nigeria, a man who became a Federal Permanent Secretary at the age of 27 and was once a Deputy Governor of the Nigerian Central Bank.
The influence of colonization in Idoani culture is minimal. They still speak their local languages, there are no major fast food outlet in the town, like those found in the major cities in Nigeria. The people eat traditional food such as "Iyan" (pounded yam)with any of the vegetable soup and "Agidi", made from maize flour (the two types are: Agidi a furere and Tepotiyo.
Idoani is a peaceful holiday destination in Nigeria, there is an important annual masquerade festival,around August, during which a lot of its indigenes come home from all over the world. Notable masquerades(egun) are egun Jejeliki, known for great dancing, and egun Alemosoko,known for tormenting the stubborn children with canes(whips).
Follow the link below to see the location of Idoani on the world map. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en-GB&q=Idoani,+Nigeria&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FVVlbwAdYClZAA&split=0&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=6.881357,14.941406&ll=7.363829,5.473938&spn=0.612881,1.231842&t=h&z=10