Ijebu Igbo is a town in Ogun State, Nigeria. It is approximately a 15-minute drive north of Ijebu Ode. Ijebu Igbo also written as Ijebu-Igbo , it is the headquarter of Ijebu North Local Government Authority , of Ogun state , Nigeria.Its geographical coordinates are Latitude 6° 58' 0" North, and Longtitude 4° 0' 0" East.[1]
Ijebu Igbo is divided into 5 clans: Oke-Sopen, Oke-Agbo, Ojowo, Atikori, and Japara. An Oba(King) is enthroned to govern each of these clans. These Obas are typically classified as "Second-class" and they all submit to the headship of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo. The Orimolusi is a First-class and he is the supreme head of Ijebu-Igbo. The last Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo was Late Oba Samuel Adetayo (Ikupakude IV), who joined his ancestors in 1994.
The town's primary economic activity is timber, cocoa and other mineral resources and is home to many saw mills.
History has it that the founder, Onayelu, was a great hunter who hunted the Northern parts of Odo-Oluiwa; the present Ijebu Ode, where he was a prince. Following the sudden demise of his father and the subsequent controversial accession to the throne of his younger brother, the Ofiranoye while Onayelu was away hunting, he decided to migrate from Ijebu Ode to settle permanently on the large expanse of land where he had been hunting and known today as Ijebu Igbo.
Thus Ijebu Igbo has the largest land mass of all Ijebus, and in Ogun state, Nigeria. It extends to, and has three important boundary points at Ibadan, Ikire, and Ondo. Like all other Ijebus, the people of Ijebu Igbo speak the Ijebu dialect that is distinct from and similar to the Yoruba language. Ijebu Igbo boasts of two of the foremost secondary schools in Nigeria, the Molusi College & Abusi Odumare Academy.
Ijebu Igbo is the political headquarter as well as the commercial nerve centre of Ijebu North local government with many of its indegenes playing actively on the national political stage.
Some of the distinguished indigenes include Late Chief Timothy Odutuyo Kuti (Abusi Edumare as he was fondly called) former school principal, industrialist, a businessman, philanthropist, The founder of Abusi Edumare Motors Ltd introduced Hire Purchased facilities in the late 60s for transporters who could not afford to purchase vehicle outright (Vehicle hire Purchase Empowerment Scheme), Abusi Edumare Sawmill Wood Industry, the founder of Abusi Edumare Academy (acknowledged to have groomed business, religions and political leaders) and the only school with built in standard stadium in the whole of Nigeria, which was later use by Ogun State University because of his high standard science and infrastructural facilities, late Alhaji Popoola Salami - Oke Agbo, Late Senator Abraham Adesanya of blessed memory; a foremost politician, pro-democracy activist and brilliant lawyer who also wore the crown of Yoruba leadership till his death. Otunba 'Femi Dinah; an astute chartered Accountant and former Group Executive Director - Finance and Planning, TotalFinaElf Nigeria (one of Nigeria's major crude oil giants, formerly known as Elf-Petroleum) until his retirement in the late 90s. Otunba Dinah is also a Treasurer of the Franco – Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and is also a Senior Partner of FEMI DINAH & ASSOCIATES. He has published books on Finance, Accounting, Shipping & Marine and he is currently the Vice Chairman Trustees of sponsor one child Nigeria Charity. Dinah is fluent in many languages including French. Senator Olabiyi Durojaye; a prodemocracy activist, former director of Administration Central Bank of Nigeria and later Managing Director, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr; founder and Chairman of Glo Communications, Alhaji Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka; a prodemocracy activist, former Commissioner for Agriculture, former Deputy Governor, Ogun State and presently the Senator-elect for the Ijebu-East Senatorial Contituency. Dr. Gbolade Osinowo is a former Special Adviser to the President during Obasanjo Presidency, Professor Ayo Ogunye; a very brillant Professor of Chemical Engineering at a tender age of 34. Professor Ayo Banjo, former V.C, University of Ibadan, Professor Bamiro also a V.C. University of Ibadan, Professor Badejo, Former Dean at University of Ibadan, Professor Rafiu O. Okuneye; a Lagos State University Lecturer, Oloye Dotun Okubanjo, the Asiwaju of Ijebu -Igbo and former Managing Director, Nigerian Distileries Ltd. Professor Kayode Odusote is a Neurologist and Director, Human Resources, Development for the West African Health Organization (WAHO). Chief S. O. Onabanjo (Omo Gboteso Gborigbo Obu), an International Engineer, former CEO, Selsak Aluminium Ltd; Olaide Fowosere is the Chairman of the Multi-million naira company, Nucleus Ventures and, lastly, the mother of the present Awujale of IJEBULAND.
Others are Prince Adebola Adesemowo; a prominent and successful lawyer, Chief Adebisi Olasupo Solano; Director for Treasury and later Accountant General of the Federation, Chief Olanrewaju Kassim; a businessman and owner of Shokas Textile Industry, Late Chief Ezekiel Badero; Chairman CEO, Naira Pools and Naira Hotel, Otunba Toyin Abass; an astute businessman and Chairman CEO, Rolatex Hotel and Alhaji Laide Fowosire; Chairman CEO Nucleus Ventures Ltd. Femi MOTARA; CEO MOTARA INDUSTRIES LTD ( a polythene manufacturing company. Kehinde ADELEYE; CEO FANDOK NIGERIA LIMITED ( a polythene manufacturing company}, Architect Abayomi Banjoko, a seasoned architect and politician, former Chairman, Ijebu North local government. Mr. Dotun Sulaiman, former MD, Accentures, Nigeria. Prince Olufemi Okeowo, a seasoned Engineer and international business man. Chairman, Location Builders Ltd and Ideas Quotent Ltd. Senator Olalekan Mustapha is a grassroot politician and the out-going Senator representing Ijebu-East Contituency. Kayode Ireland is a prominent legal luminary in the United Kingdom.
Ijebu-Igbo boasts of vibrant and promising youths, on whose shoulders the future fortune of the ancient town would be laid in utmost trust. Some of these youths include Dr. Babatunde Ipaye; a youthful and promising entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is a consultant to the DFID on Malaria Control in Nigeria. Ademola Banjo, a former Vice-President, Platinum-Habib Bank popularly called BankPHB, currently holds same position at the First City Monumental Bank (FCMB). Abiodun banjo, a Business Analyst with Stewart Lending Services USA and the son of Late Bankole Ademola Banjo.
On the social angle, it is imperative to state that Ijebu-Igbo indegenes are pacesetters. Ijebu-Igbo is home to Alhaji Haruna Ishola, MON (Baba Ngani Agba), the globally Apala crooner of blessed memory. Other notable musicians from the ancient town include Wale Thompson, the son of another great musician popularly called Popular Jingo; Alhaji Y.K. Ajadi ,Alake Batile, Jide Chord to mention, again, a few.
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